"Rebirth of the Football Tycoon".

Here's a concise and polished rewrite of this chapter:

David needed to confirm whether history had diverged from what he knew in his previous life. Fortunately, the major events remained unchanged: Manchester United won the Premier League, Roma topped Serie A, Real Madrid were La Liga champions, and the Champions League finalists were Bayern Munich and Valencia. Satisfied, David knew he could rely on his knowledge to build his future.

However, lofty ambitions required a solid foundation. With Notts County financially crippled, David took an unconventional step: he mortgaged the club, including Meadow Lane Stadium, to Barclays Bank for £2 million, leveraging his late father's connections to secure the loan. He kept this move under wraps, sharing it only with the club's finance department.

But fate wasn't kind. A bank staff member, a die-hard Nottingham Forest fan, leaked the news to the press. Local media painted David as reckless, and rival Nottingham Forest fans celebrated, mocking Notts County's apparent demise. Meanwhile, loyal Notts County supporters were outraged, protesting outside the club headquarters and even David's residence. Some threatened violence, their trust in their young chairman shattered.

Unfazed, David was already executing his plan. With the borrowed funds, he placed strategic bets across English and foreign bookmakers on the upcoming Champions League final, a match he knew by heart. Bayern Munich and Valencia would draw 1-1 in regular time, with Bayern ultimately winning on penalties. Odds for a 1-1 draw ranged from 6.7 to 9.0, offering a lucrative opportunity to multiply his investment.

David spread his bets to avoid suspicion and maximize returns. He even considered betting on other specific events, like the timing of goals or first scorers, but bookmakers quickly limited his wagers, sensing his confidence.

On the day of the final, David attended the match at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan. As Valencia's Mendieta scored a penalty in the third minute and Bayern's Effenberg equalized in the 50th, David's nerves grew taut despite knowing the outcome. When the whistle blew at the end of regular time, confirming the 1-1 draw, he nearly collapsed from the emotional strain.

The penalty shootout didn't matter for his bets, but as a football fan, David stayed to witness the drama unfold. When Pellegrino missed Valencia's decisive penalty, handing Bayern the trophy, David felt a mix of triumph and nostalgia. He envisioned a future where Notts County, too, could rise to these heights and compete among Europe's elite.

With his winnings secured, David now had the financial foundation to begin transforming Notts County. His dream of turning the club into a powerhouse had just taken its first step.