Chapter 53 The city is full of wind and rain

May 24, 2000, Grand Stadium in France!

The 99-00 Champions League final kicked off here, and the two teams in the final are two La Liga teams, Real Madrid and Valencia!

In the last round of the league five days ago, Real Madrid lost 1-3 to Betis, who had been relegated early, and a big upset in the last round of the league was revealed.

This also makes Real Madrid fans worried that the team's poor form will affect their performance in the Champions League final.

However, the facts proved that Real Madrid walked out of the shadow of league defeat in time.

In this Spanish civil war, Real Madrid swept Valencia 3-0 with three goals from Morientes, McManaman and Raul, winning the eighth European Champions League trophy in club history!

On this day, when the world's eyes were all gathered at the French Stadium.

In a commercial club in Seville, a tripartite agreement was signed between Betis Club Chairman Lopera, second shareholders Tang Sen and Tang Feng.

The agreement mentioned that Tang Feng will become the club's acting head coach in the next half season. If he can lead the team to the top three in the Spanish Second Division before the winter break, his coaching contract will automatically grow to one year. If he leads the team to upgrade successfully, he will get a three-year coaching contract!

If Tang Feng fails to lead the team to the top three in the standings before the winter break, or he fails to lead the team to upgrade at the end of the season, his contract will automatically terminate. At the same time, Tang Sen must transfer the eight percent of the Betis Club shares in his hands to Lopela at the market price!

The agreement also mentioned that during Tang Feng's coaching period, Tang Feng had the right to independently introduce players within the transfer budget given by the club.

However, Lopera insists that the club has the right to make decisions when selling players.

After signing this agreement, the next thing to wait for is a suitable announcement!

...

On the afternoon of May 26, when major European leagues came to an end, the Spanish powerhouse Real Betis Club, which has been relegated to the Spanish Second Division this season, will hold a press conference for the new coach to take office!

In the press conference hall of Betis Club, journalists from major media in Andalusia were gathered.

Even the most famous sports newspapers in Spain, such as Marca, As and World Sports, sent reporters to the press conference.

Although Betis has been demoted to Class B, considering Lopela's big deal in inviting team coaches and the situation he promised to find a famous coach for the team before the end of the season, the reporters are full of expectations for this press conference.

"Who will Lopela look for this time? Is it Van Gaal? You know, the Dutch have just been dismissed from Barcelona!"

"It shouldn't be true. Van Gaal hasn't fallen to coach a Spanish Second Division team yet, right?"

"Who could that be? It is said that Juander Ramos of the Betis club is very interested. This young coach has done a good job in Vallecano!"

"Cannounce Vallecano play in the UEFA Cup next season? Juand Ramos will not give up on European competitions to coach a second-level team, right?"

"Oh my God, who is it? Does anyone have any insider information?"

"What's the hurry? Will it be announced later?"

...

With about half an hour left before the press conference began, the reporters in the hall couldn't help but start talking and talking...

Among these foreign journalists, an Eastern Host appeared.

This person is Zhong Dajun from China's Sports Weekly.

Last time he exclusively reported that Tang Feng led Betis to defeat Real Madrid as the acting coach, which made his position in Sports Weekly rise.

After using the news he dug out from his Spanish friends and cooking leftovers for a few days, he finally received instructions from the editorial department and sent him to Seville, Spain to interview Tang Feng.

He had just arrived in Seville, and before he had time to contact Tang Feng, he was the first to get the news that Betis had a new coach meeting. He had the first chance to experience this kind of new coach meeting in European clubs, and Zhong Dajun naturally didn't want to miss it, so he also came to the press conference hall early.

As the press conference approached, a bold idea suddenly popped up in Zhong Dajun's mind: Could Betis's new coach be... Tang Feng?

...

Finally, the clock reached 3:30 in the afternoon!

Castano, the spokesperson of Betis Club, appeared first in front of everyone: "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for appearing at the press conference on time and providing support for the meeting of the new coach of Betis Club. Next, please invite Chairman Mr. Lopera, General Manager Mr. Leon and our new coach... Mr. Tang Feng!"

When Castano spoke the new coach's name, the press conference became lively as if it was in full swing.

"Tang Feng? Isn't this the young Chinese translator? How did he become the new coach of the team?"

"Oh my God! Has the Betis team given up on the goal of upgrading? He actually found such a young man to be the head coach?"

"Damn it, it's not April Fool's Day? Or, did I just get drunk at home?"

...

While the reporters were complaining, Tang Feng, wearing a straight suit, also appeared at the press conference with Lopera and Leon.

Tang Feng was already mentally prepared for the reporters' performance.

So, he did not seem panic, but sat in his position calmly.

Tang Feng's appearance also proves that Castano's words just now were not a joke.

Suddenly, several local Seville reporters had already let out a wail.

Some media from other provinces are waiting for the next press conference with the mentality of watching the excitement.

Of course, there are also people who are ecstatic because of the appearance of Tang Feng, and this person is Zhong Dajun!

After being stunned for a while, he picked up the camera on his chest and took a photo at Tang Feng on the stage.

...

After Tang Feng made his debut, press officer Castano said to the reporters: "Next, it will be a question-and-anyone welcomes you to ask questions..."

The first person to ask a question was a reporter from the Daily Sports News.

Although their sports editor Lucas has a high opinion of Tang Feng, it does not mean that this press conference will buy into this Chinese translator, so he directly raised a question to Betis Chairman Lopela: "Hello, Mr. Lopela! I remember that after the team confirmed the relegation, you promised to bring a famous coach to the team and lead the team back to La Liga. However, what you brought today is this young Chinese translator who has no coaching experience before. Have you given up next season? How are you going to give Betis fans an explanation?"

Lopera obviously expected that he would be asked this question today, so he squeezed out a kind smile and said: "Before, the club had contacted many famous European coaches. However, these famous coaches either had contracts or were unwilling to commit themselves to a second-level team. Considering that the European Cup was about to begin and the club's summer recruitment work would also begin, we decided to let Tang act as head coach first. I think that with Tang's performance in leading the team to defeat Real Madrid in the last round of the league last season, he deserves the position of coach Betis. Of course, we must also give him more patience..."

Lopela said this very helplessly, like an old man who worked hard to find a coach for the team but failed to get a reward.

It turns out he is the acting head coach, no wonder!

After hearing Lopela's words, some reporters at the scene seemed relieved.

Of course, there are some journalists who are not so easy to fool.

"Depending on just one game, does Mr. Lopela think that this young translator can be competent for the team's head coach? Wouldn't this be too hasty? The season has just ended a week, why did Mr. Lopela say that the team can't find a suitable head coach? Are you unable to find it? Or are you unwilling to find it?" A local reporter with a better relationship with the Sevilla Club raised a sharp question.

"I hope Betis can return to La Liga as soon as possible than anyone else. Therefore, I will not joke about the fate of the team and the club!" Lopela replied righteously.

...

After the press conference began, a series of questions were raised to Chairman Lopera. As the protagonist of the press conference, Tang Feng was completely left aside. However, Tang Feng didn't care because he didn't like to deal with these boring reporters. In fact, even if no one asked him questions at this press conference, he would not have any opinions.

But, this is obviously unrealistic.

Soon, the war spread to him!

"Mr. Tang Feng, as far as I know, you seem to be the nephew of Tang Sen, the second shareholder of Betis Club. Is it because of this relationship that you became the coach of the team?" A local reporter threw a bombshell.

For a moment, the reporters became lively again. They didn't know that there was such an inside story during this period.

After hearing this question, Tang Feng frowned and glanced at Lopela beside him.

I saw this old fox, the old god, sitting there, and there was no intention of speaking for him.

Soon, Tang Feng understood that the reporter was probably assigned by Lopela to raise this question.

You know, not many people know about Tang Feng and Tang Sen's relationship. Moreover, not many people knew in advance that they would become the club's coach.

Therefore, naturally, no reporters are bored to learn about this gossip.

But the reality is that this reporter directly raised such a question...

"Yes, Tang Sen is my cousin, he is the second shareholder of the club!" Tang Feng replied honestly.

As soon as this answer came out, the press conference hall became even more lively.

It's actually true. The management of Betis Club is really chaotic. Can you also take the back door in an important position of coaching?

Some local reporters frowned, while other reporters were gloating.

"But..." After the reporters made a fuss, Tang Feng said loudly again, "I became the team coach because of my own strength, not because of my cousin. Just as I led the team to defeat Real Madrid in my coaching debut, I believe that in the next season, I can lead Betis to achieve good results!"

The confidence in Tang Feng's tone seemed to the reporters as a kind of conceit.

"Oh? Mr. Tang Feng, what are your so-called good results?" asked a reporter from "Marca" with a contemptuous expression.

"As the title of the Second September 2 champion... return to La Liga!" Tang Feng replied in a daze.

What an arrogant guy!

The competition in the Segunda Division next year is very big. In addition to the three strong teams Betis, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, which have been reduced from La Liga, there are also popular teams such as Tenerife, Albasett, Vilva and Levante!

Obviously, the reporters in the press conference hall regarded this young Chinese as an unknown guy.

However, Zhong Dajun, who is also in the press conference hall, felt a sense of pride!

When will a Chinese coach also make such a confident call in front of European media?

"Good, Tang Feng! I'm optimistic about you!" Zhong Dajun shouted in Chinese as he was excited.

His shouts also made Tang Feng discover his existence.

Are Chinese journalists? Although they look a little bit vulgar, they are quite passionate! Tang Feng commented in his heart.
To be continued...