Before Gao Shen traveled through time, he once saw a question: Are Europe and the United States societies based on personal relationships?
At the time, he didn't fully understand it. He always thought it must be the same—after all, people are people. But without real experience, he had no right to speak on it.
Now, after so many years in European football, he can say with certainty: Yes!
Distance creates illusions. Often, misunderstandings stem from unfamiliarity and lack of firsthand knowledge.
Even in European football, a world filled with fame and fortune, human connections and personal relationships are deeply embedded.
Just look at Verona, the newly promoted Serie B team this season.
Back when Gao Shen was coaching Napoli in Serie B, Verona lost the relegation play-off and dropped to Serie C Group A.
They remained there for four years.
Last season, in Serie C Group A, after twelve rounds, Verona was in 13th place out of 18 teams, just two points above bottom-placed Pegnis. The situation was quite dire.
Feeling the pressure, Verona's management quickly hired Andrea Mandorlini to take charge and stabilize the team.
Mandorlini was a former professional footballer who had played for clubs like Ravenna, Torino, Atalanta, Ascoli, Inter Milan, and Udinese, including a seven-year stint at Inter.
After retiring, he transitioned into coaching. He first served as assistant coach at Ravenna for four years, then managed Vicenza, Atalanta, Bologna, Siena, Sassuolo, and others, though none of his stints were long.
After taking over at Verona, Mandorlini used his personal network during the winter break to bring in six or seven young players on loan from Serie A teams like Inter Milan, Roma, Atalanta, and Reggina.
One of them was Emmanuel Napoli, the captain of Inter Milan's U19 team.
Thanks to these winter reinforcements, Verona surged from near the bottom of the table to fifth place. They qualified for the Group A promotion play-offs, won, and successfully returned to Serie B.
After tasting success, the first thing Verona did upon returning to Serie B was contact Roma to loan Italy's new-generation striker Marco D'Alessandro, a promising young player who had advanced through all age groups of the national team.
Not only that, Mandorlini also targeted Atalanta's Croatian center forward, Bijelanovic. The transfer fee was projected to be as high as €700,000, making it Verona's most important summer signing.
So, let's ask—without a strong network, how could Verona have gone from the verge of third-tier relegation to Serie B in just six months?
…
Gao Shen didn't reach out to Verona directly. Instead, he contacted the veteran Italian coach Ventura.
Yes, the same Ventura who was "defeated" by Gao Shen and subsequently dismissed, which contributed to Verona's earlier relegation. In the future, he would even be praised by Lippi as the best coach in Italy.
Back when Gao Shen coached Napoli, he met Ventura at the Italian Football Federation. Ventura owed him a favor, so Gao Shen called him and asked him to negotiate with Verona.
Just two days later, Ventura called back.
It was done.
Jorginho, a midfielder with dual Italian and Brazilian citizenship, transferred from Verona to Leeds United for a fee of €100,000.
This 19-year-old midfielder had a rough time in Italy.
Back when he was in Brazil's youth training system, he had already fallen out of favor with the Brazilian youth teams. An Italian football agent spotted him and brought him to a training camp in Brazil that specialized in grooming players for Italian clubs. Out of fifty participants, after two to three years of training, he was sent to Italy and signed with Verona.
At the time, Verona was still in Serie B.
Last season, Jorginho was loaned out to fourth-tier side San Bonifacio, where he made 31 appearances, scored one goal, and registered zero assists—a poor showing for a midfielder.
He mostly played as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder, but the style of lower-division football didn't suit the slender Jorginho. The physicality, tactics, and overall system left him struggling to find form.
That's why his market value was only €80,000.
Verona, too, was at a loss about how to develop this young Brazilian. His strengths and weaknesses were obvious, but he didn't seem to fit into the Italian football style.
So, when Leeds United offered €100,000, and with Ventura mediating again, Verona—eager to fund the Bijelanovic deal—agreed.
…
Every morning when he woke up with the sun, Jamie Vardy would turn his head and see the blue and white striped jersey hanging on the wall.
It was Sheffield Wednesday's home kit.
"Three more levels to go." Vardy lay back, staring at the ceiling, muttering to himself.
Halifax had just been promoted to the sixth tier. Sheffield Wednesday were still in the third tier.
Vardy had come through the Sheffield Wednesday youth system, but at sixteen, due to his small frame and lack of outstanding ability, the club refused to offer him a professional contract. He left as a free agent.
At that moment, he thought: I don't want to play football anymore.
But, ironically, not long after being released, he shot up by 20 centimeters.
He returned to school to study physical education. After graduation, he got a job at a factory that made splints for foot drop patients. His role involved moving raw materials to the assembly line—lifting heavy items up and down hundreds of times daily. The work was physically draining.
Eventually, he returned to football.
Having come from a formal youth academy, he quickly made a name for himself on the amateur circuit. Stockbridge Park Steels scouted him and offered a part-time deal, two training sessions a week and £30 in wages.
The Superburger he liked cost four pounds apiece, but it was better than nothing.
While at Stockbridge, he once stood up for a hearing-impaired friend and got into a fight at a bar. He was sentenced to curfew and fitted with an electronic tag.
Fans of Stockbridge Park Steels still remember how he only played 60 minutes a game—then had to be subbed off and sprint home before 6 p.m.
Last year, he was scouted by seventh-tier Halifax for his excellent performances at Stockbridge.
The club was farther away, but the pay was decent.
So Vardy bought a car.
He trained Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 11 p.m. After clocking out at 4:30 p.m., he drove straight to training, then went home to sleep. Matches were on Saturdays.
It was a fulfilling routine.
He scored 26 goals in 33 games last season—an exceptional strike rate.
Finally, Halifax reached the sixth tier.
Vardy had taken another step toward his dream.
But it had been eight years.
His goal was to keep climbing, step by step, back to the point where he had once started his career.
Even though it looked incredibly difficult.
…
Get up, brush teeth, wash face, eat breakfast...
It was the same every day.
The league was on break, but he still had to go to work.
Although Halifax was now in the sixth tier, his salary still wasn't enough for Vardy to live on.
Just thinking about returning to that dull factory job made him feel miserable.
As he ate breakfast, his phone suddenly rang.
Caller ID: David Bosomworth.
"Hey, David, I don't have time to chat. I've got to get to work. Got a warm-up match? How much is the appearance fee? Let's settle the last few first. I'm so broke I'm about to sell myself, mate."
As soon as he picked up, Vardy started ranting.
Delayed payments and unpaid wages were common in the lower leagues.
But this time, something felt off. David Bosomworth sounded different.
"Jamie, calm down and listen to me."
"You're broke again? I've got no money either…"
"No, no, Jamie. Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't ask for your permission, but I think this is a great opportunity."
"What do you mean?"
"There's a club that wants to buy you."
"You agreed?"
"Yeah."
"I knew you were unreliable. Who is it?"
"Leeds."
"Damn, that's far. You know I've got work every day. I won't have time to get there after my shift. What, you expect me to quit and find another job?"
"Wait, how much did they pay for me?"
"£100,000."
"How much?" Vardy raised his voice.
"£100,000. Mate, that's a good price. We really need the money."
"No way. What teams are even in Leeds? Bradford City? No, they're poor too. Not much better than us. David, you need to be careful not to get scammed."
After years in non-league football, Vardy knew all the teams in the area.
But he had clearly forgotten the biggest one.
Not because he made a mistake. It just never crossed his mind.
To him, third-tier Sheffield Wednesday was already a dream. Never mind second-tier Leeds United.
And hadn't the news just reported that Leeds United was bought by Gao Shen, the world's top manager?
Would someone like that really be interested in a no-name like him playing in the seventh tier?
"No, Jamie, it's not Bradford. I said Leeds—Leeds United!"
Vardy froze. "You... you... who?"
"Leeds United! The one in the Championship. Jamie, Leeds United wants you!"
A surge of blood rushed to his head. Vardy felt his mind go blank.
"No... that's impossible."
"£100,000. The deal's done. The money's already paid."
Vardy was completely stunned. He couldn't say a word. He even forgot he had work.
"Jamie, you're going to play in the Championship soon. We all believe you'll make it as a pro. Keep going. And don't forget us when you make it. Oh, I also gave your contact to Leeds United. If you ever meet Gao Shen, remember to get his autograph for me. I'm a huge fan, alright?"
But at this moment, Vardy couldn't hear a single word.
(To be continued.)
...
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