Chapter 1

A frantic Mancini received a call from Mubarak, the club chairman, demanding an explanation for the recent locker room scandal reported by the media.

Mancini could say "no comment" or "nonsense" in front of the media, but he certainly didn't have the guts to do so in front of the club chairman.

Because he felt he was completely innocent, a victim, Mancini readily told Mubarak about the whole affair. Of course, he also pleaded his case, arguing that Aguero's lack of overall perspective was the real culprit behind the team's ultimate defeat.

"The authority of the coach must be guaranteed in the team, Mr. Chairman! Such things cannot be allowed to happen again and again. A united team is the most competitive team! Look at Liverpool, Mr. Chairman, their internal unity is excellent..."

"You're right, Mr. Mancini," Mubarak said in a voice devoid of any emotion. "So, for the sake of the team's unity, I would like you to tender your resignation."

"Huh?" Mancini was stunned for a moment, then he realized—the club chairman was asking him to resign!

His blood rushed to his head.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman, did I hear you correctly... You, you just asked me to resign? Is that how I should understand it?"

"Yes, you understand perfectly. Mr. Mancini, I've given you enough time, but you've never truly brought this team to its peak... When we were closest to the championship, you had a conflict with the players and made a very willful decision that led to us losing the final... I think you should understand that you are no longer suitable to coach this team."

Mancini held the phone in a daze, unable to believe every word he heard.

Why?

He was clearly not at fault, so why was he the one who had to leave the team in the end?

He had been planning to put pressure on Aguero through the club's senior management. If Aguero didn't apologize to him, he would sell him off at the end of the season—no matter how capable you are, I won't use you! Any player who doesn't respect the coach and dares to confront him in the locker room can be used by whoever wants him!

But why was this blame being placed on him?

"This... this is not fair!" The angry Mancini finally roared out the injustice in his heart.

"I have done nothing wrong! What was Manchester City like before I took over? Don't you know, Mr. Chairman! It was I who changed the situation of this team, which was strong but only able to rank in the middle! Although I didn't win a championship, the overall trend of this team is developing in a good direction! You can't simply use the championship to measure my coaching performance!"

"Yes, the club will issue a public statement after your resignation to thank you for everything you have done for the team, Mr. Mancini."

Mubarak was not moved by Mancini's defense, and he still spoke in a voice devoid of any emotion.

Listening to Mubarak's cold words, Mancini felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. Of course, this also made his mind calm and clear.

He had always looked down on this outsider who didn't understand football at all, feeling that this outsider could only listen to the opinions of him, a professional, and had to do whatever he asked him to do. And in fact, that was the case. He would say to the club, "I need these people," and then the club would find a way to meet his requirements and build the strongest team for him.

He had always felt that the club chairman was fascinated by his personal charm and professional qualities, that he would always listen to him and become his capable assistant.

But now it seemed that this was just his wishful thinking.

His professional knowledge was worth less than a euro in the face of absolute power!

He was definitely faster than himself when it came to turning his back on someone!

But was he just going to sit back and wait for his death?

Of course Mancini wouldn't do that.

He had three years left on his contract with Manchester City. In order to fully express Manchester City's trust and support for Mancini, after Mancini had lost the league championship for two consecutive seasons, Manchester City had renewed his contract and given him a five-year contract.

Now it seemed that Manchester City was simply a stupid, rich fool...

But Mancini didn't care whether Manchester City suffered a loss or not, as long as he didn't suffer a loss, that was good.

In his contract with Manchester City, there was a clause, which was the "breach of contract clause." If Manchester City fired Mancini before the expiration of the contract, they would have to pay a penalty of 20 million pounds, and they would also have to pay Mancini his monthly salary on time until the contract expired.

If Mancini took the initiative to resign, he would also have to pay the club a penalty of 10 million pounds and be deemed to have voluntarily given up all income and remuneration for the remaining term of his contract with the club.

Simply put, if Manchester City fired Mancini, they would have to pay Mancini a penalty of 20 million pounds, and they would also have to pay Mancini the remaining salary on a monthly basis, and Mancini's current salary was the second highest salary in the world, with an after-tax annual salary of 10 million pounds!

Even if the remaining months of this season were not included, only the full three seasons were counted. Mancini and Manchester City still had three years of contract. Manchester City only needed to pay Mancini an after-tax salary of 30 million pounds, and with the 20 million pounds of penalty, Manchester City would have to pay 50 million pounds. Even if Manchester City was a big fool, they would not want to spend so much money on someone who had no use value, just like they were unwilling to continue wasting salaries on Tevez and Dzeko, two players that the team no longer needed.

But if Mancini took the initiative to leave, Manchester City would not lose a penny and would also make a net profit of 10 million pounds of penalty.

This deal was certainly worth it!

Mancini was not a fool. After he calmed down, he knew that his days at Manchester City were numbered, and he would definitely not be able to stay.

But he wouldn't take the initiative to resign and give the club another 10 million pounds of penalty!

So he quickly calmed down and returned to the image of a wise, refined, calm, and elegant gentleman.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman. I have more than three years left on my contract with Manchester City, and I will fulfill the rest of this contract."

Mubarak cursed Mancini in his heart for being a son of a bitch, but he was still very polite on the surface.

"I think you may have some misunderstanding, Mr. Mancini. We don't need you to continue to fulfill the remaining contract. Of course, in return, we will not ask you to pay a penalty of 10 million pounds..."

Mubarak thought that Mancini just didn't want to pay the penalty, so he decided to throw out his trump card to make the other party submit voluntarily—look how generous we are, how much we don't want your money, are you still going to赖着不走? You get out of here!

But he underestimated Mancini's determination and guessed wrong about Mancini's thoughts.

"There is indeed some misunderstanding, Mr. Chairman. I repeat, I will not leave the club, I will fulfill the rest of the contract," Mancini said with a righteous face.

But Mubarak suddenly understood—this bastard didn't want to pay the penalty but wanted to make money!

He had his eyes on the 20 million penalty and the 30 million pounds of after-tax annual salary stipulated in the contract!

This son of a bitch! Those who play football are all sons of bitches!

Mubarak cursed in his heart, but he had to suppress his anger to negotiate with Mancini.

"You only need to resign voluntarily, and I guarantee in the name of the club that you will be given a decent departure, and we will not ask you for a penny of penalty."

"But I want it, Mr. Chairman."

Since we've already talked about this, there's nothing to hide.

Mancini directly played his trump card.

Since both sides were determined to tear up the contract, let's get straight to the point.

"Mr. Chairman, now you have two choices. First, forcibly fire me, and then pay me a penalty of 20 million pounds according to the contract, and then pay my salary on time every month until the end of the contract. Second, let me continue to stay in the team to coach, and then I will give you a few championships to meet your requirements."

"You can't be so shameless!" Mubarak finally couldn't help but shouted loudly when he heard Mancini leisurely offer his conditions. He really didn't expect that Mancini could be so shameless. He originally thought that not asking Mancini to pay the penalty was simply a great favor to Mancini. Even if Mancini didn't kneel down to thank him, he should be grateful, pack his luggage with a grateful heart and get out of here, and at the same time publicize everywhere: "My boss is a kind and generous person! I'm sorry for him, I let him down... He just drove me away and didn't ask me to pay the penalty, which is already a great kindness!"

But he didn't expect the gap between reality and ideal to be too big, and this reality was so cruel...

"How can it be considered shameless to act according to the contract, Mr. Chairman?" Mancini asked with a smile. "Besides, if we're talking about shamelessness, who is more shameless to make me, who has done nothing wrong, a scapegoat? Mr. Chairman?"

"This is extortion!" Mubarak scolded angrily.

"I remind you again, Mr. Mubarak, please pay attention to your words, otherwise I can sue you for defamation. If you want me to leave, it's very simple, Mr. Mubarak, follow the contract. Give me how much you should give me, and I will definitely not hesitate. As long as you give me the money, I can leave the team this afternoon." Since he had torn his face, Mancini simply changed his title and called him "Mr. Mubarak" with a strong sense of sarcasm.

Mubarak couldn't stand this insult and stimulation and hung up the phone directly. He didn't continue to talk to Mancini, and he didn't know how the two of them could continue to talk.

Listening to the busy tone coming from the phone, Mancini hummed.

He felt that it was indeed correct that he looked down on the layman who was younger than himself. He even妄想 to let himself leave without spending a penny? How could there be such a good thing in the world? It's too naive!

Kid, you are, too young, too simple!