Starting With Real Madrid

The press conference hall at Valdebebas was packed with media reporters from all over the world.

Cameras and microphones were set up, all aimed at the main podium.

Journalists from Spain, Europe, and beyond were present for the upcoming national derby.

The hall buzzed with conversation, and every so often, people glanced toward the entrance, wondering if the Chinese coach, Gao Shen, would show up. He was known for avoiding pre-match and post-match press conferences.

This habit of his had become a point of contention with the media.

Previously, the Spanish Football Association had been pressured by the media, but since Gao Shen was still an acting head coach at the time, they suppressed the news, claiming he was unwell.

What a convenient excuse!

Have you ever seen someone so active and energetic on regular days but conveniently "unwell" during press conferences?

UEFA has strict rules requiring coaches of all teams in the Champions League to attend pre-match and post-match press conferences. Yet, Gao Shen skipped the ones against Arsenal and Juventus, claiming illness, with assistant coach Maqueda stepping in. When UEFA pressured Real Madrid, the club replied that Gao Shen was young and afraid of facing the media.

This excuse nearly caused the reporters to flip their desks in frustration.

At his inauguration and signing ceremonies, Gao Shen boldly declared war on superstars and Barcelona. He showed no fear then, so how could he be afraid now?

Interestingly, despite Real Madrid's history of maintaining good relations with the media and often releasing information to them, lately, there had been a noticeable decrease in the information flow from Valdebebas.

Previously, media access to Valdebebas was relatively easy. Now, with closed training sessions, media needed to apply for admission and could only enter on media open days.

Everyone knew this was the doing of Gao Shen, but all they could do was complain. He restricted their access, limited superstar appearances, and enforced stricter protocols, leading to a barrage of criticism. Yet, Gao Shen's results silenced many critics.

Despite criticism for playing "ugly" football, Gao Shen led the team to impressive results, including a Champions League reversal against Arsenal and a goalless draw away to Juventus. The media criticized him relentlessly, but readers seemed captivated.

Sales of newspapers featuring Gao Shen on the cover were consistently higher. Whether praised or criticized, his presence boosted sales.

It became a running joke among journalists that a tabloid famous for bashing Gao Shen received complaints from readers when their criticism became repetitive.

In the press conference hall, media reporters waited eagerly, their feelings a mix of anticipation and frustration. Gao Shen's evasiveness turned press conferences into a spectacle.

...

Maqueda always felt uneasy when he had to step in for Gao Shen at press conferences.

He had often imagined himself as the head coach of Real Madrid, confidently addressing the media. Instead, he found himself facing boos and jeers each time he appeared, because the reporters were expecting Gao Shen, not him.

Once again, as he stepped up to the podium, the hall filled with boos and sarcastic remarks.

Maqueda tried to calm the crowd, raising his hands to signal for quiet.

"Uh...he's...still...a little uncomfortable today," Maqueda said awkwardly.

He really wanted to cry. Gao Shen only gave him this excuse, and Maqueda had to figure out how to handle the reporters.

He had run out of creative excuses.

"Uncomfortable? Then tell everyone, what's the problem this time?" a sharp-tongued reporter challenged.

This was met with laughter and cheers. The reporters enjoyed seeing Maqueda squirm, coming up with new excuses.

"Is it a stomachache again? Dizzy? Cold and fever... Or is it his time of the month?"

The room erupted in laughter.

For readers, the fun was watching how media reporters would find new ways to criticize Gao Shen. For reporters, the fun was watching Maqueda invent new excuses.

After a barrage of questions, Maqueda stood there, feeling like a pincushion.

Thankfully, Real Madrid's PR team stepped in to maintain order, allowing Maqueda to continue.

He quickly announced Real Madrid's 18-man squad for Barcelona, reading the names and jersey numbers rapidly.

Initially, the reporters didn't react much, but when they heard the name of the number 9 player, many jumped up in surprise.

Ronaldo?

An uproar ensued.

"Ronaldo is in the squad?"

"Does this mean he'll play against Barcelona?"

"Have the conflicts between him and Gao Shen been resolved?"

"Is Gao Shen planning to bring back the Brazilian Gang?"

"What's the reason for Ronaldo's inclusion? Explain!"

The barrage of questions left Maqueda speechless.

Once again, the PR team intervened to maintain order, instructing reporters to ask questions one by one. But Maqueda's repeated "I don't know" responses frustrated everyone.

"You don't know anything? Then what's the point of you being here?"

Maqueda felt like crying. He really didn't know much. He knew that in the afternoon, Gao Shen had arranged targeted defensive drills and included Ronaldo in counterattack training, but he wasn't sure what could be shared.

In the end, Maqueda hurriedly exited amid the media's scolding.

He swore he would never attend another press conference, unless Gao Shen forced him to.

But the media reporters weren't satisfied.

Such big news, and no explanations?

"Call Gao Shen to us! If he doesn't explain, we're not leaving today!"

In the press conference hall, the media reporters roared angrily.

...

The news from Valdebebas quickly spread and became a hot topic across Spain.

Florentino laughed upon hearing the news.

"This kid is really interesting," Florentino praised. "I want to meet him once he's less busy. We'll find an opportunity."

Redondo nodded. "I'll make arrangements."

After a pause, Redondo added, "From what we've heard, Ronaldo talked with him for an hour yesterday at noon. Then Gao Shen met with Raul and Ramos. Today, Ronaldo is in the squad…"

He was pondering if there was a connection.

"Don't overthink it," Florentino advised. "It's not that complicated. He already got what he wanted, which is obedience."

"You mean, what he wants is compliance?"

"Of course. From the beginning, he made it clear. Even if you go back and listen to his first press conference, what he wants is obedience. Whoever obeys and cooperates, he'll use. In his eyes, there are no Brazilian gangs, local gangs, or superstars."

Redondo was quite surprised. "Could he have really thought of this from the beginning?"

"Manuel," Florentino said with a smile, "you have to admit, some people in this world are different, and Gao Shen is one of them."

Redondo still found it hard to believe but nodded.

In his experience, few people received praise from Florentino. Gao Shen was an exception.

"He's using Ronaldo now, and he'll likely use Brazilian players in the future. Won't that create internal conflicts in the locker room?" Redondo wondered if a 25-year-old could really manage the Real Madrid dressing room.

"You have to look at it from a higher perspective," Florentino advised. "As a leader, having some conflicts among your people isn't necessarily bad. If everyone's happy, it usually means they're not doing much. 

"Conflict has two sides. It's about how you manage it. Too much is bad, but none at all isn't good either. It requires a balance, and that's where leadership comes in."

"Gao Shen handled it well. Initially, he suppressed the strong Brazilian gang and supported the local players. Now that the local gang is stronger and the Brazilian gang more compliant, he's reintroducing the Brazilian players to balance things. This way, he maintains control as the coach."

Florentino couldn't help but admire, "This kid keeps surprising us."

Redondo nodded, thinking: If Gao Shen had planned this from the start, it would indeed be terrifying!