My light shines on Arsenal

Chapter 91 Ending and Departure

Amid the cheers and noise at Wembley, Wenger walked forward and took a deep breath of the air in the stadium.

"I want to tell you something."

The old man's expression was calm and firm, but in the jubilation of the audience, Wenger's calm made Chen Yao feel a little strange.

"Boss... you said."

"Did you know Pat is retiring next season?"

"Pat? Pat Rice?"

"Yes."

Chen Yao lowered his eyes and said softly, "Pat is a good coach, we should bid him farewell with a champion."

Wenger didn't say anything, but fell silent.

Chen Yao turned around and looked at the "professor" who was hesitant to speak, as if he had thought of something.

"Boss, you..."

"I thought, I can also hand over the responsibility that I have assumed for 16 years to the next person."

After saying this, Wenger was relieved, and a smile appeared on his old face.

He relaxed a lot in an instant, as if he had unloaded a heavy burden, and also seemed to have completed his mission, his silver hair fluttered in the night wind.

All the hustle and bustle of Wembley turned into silence at this moment.

Chen Yao looked at Wenger in disbelief, as if he couldn't digest the news all at once.

"You mean...you're leaving?"

"My contract with Arsenal expires next month. I won't renew it."

"But……"

"Don't worry." Wenger shook his head lightly, as he said to his players countless times in the past, "It's not a big deal."

"I am not young anymore. People of my time are getting old. Even Ferguson has to bid farewell to this stage."

"I can feel the burden of aging on me...my energy is not what it used to be, my mind is no longer sharp, I start to stubbornly believe in old things, I am more and more resistant to change. Only traditional things and conservative The arrangement can give me a sense of security."

Wenger nodded towards the Liverpool coaching bench with no expression on his face, "Kenny is like that. He is also old, but he can't get out of his best years. And you knocked him down with new life and vitality."

Chen Yao knew that Wenger was talking about Dalglish.He became the king of Liverpool in the 1980s, but it was inevitable that he would step down in 2012.

No one is forever young, but someone is always young.

"I'll get knocked down too, I'm bound to get knocked down. But I'm not going to drag my team down with it."

Having said this, Wenger seemed to have put in a lot of effort.

The professor had taken off his jacket, and he was walking on the court with Chen Yao in only a shirt.

His red tie fluttered in the wind.

Not far away, Pat Rice held Wenger's coat in his arms and watched quietly.

"Chen, you have proven yourself. I think you are the right person to take over Arsenal's 120-year heritage." Wenger said seriously.

"I?"

Chen Yao repeated the word numbly. For so many moments, he imagined that all this would happen.

But when it did happen, he felt the absurdity of what was happening right now.

According to historical reality, Wenger will continue to coach Arsenal for six years until 2018.

In the last six years, the first three were the afterglow of Wenger, who rebuilt his last team.

But even though they once played an exciting performance, it was difficult for them to make achievements in the league and the Champions League.

The remaining three years are just the old man trying his best to delay Arsenal's decline.

But now, Wenger has already started to quit.

"Yes, it's you."

Wenger gave him an affirmative look.

"Over the years, what has sustained me is not just love, but responsibility. It is impossible for me to give up on Arsenal. As long as this team still needs me, I will do my best."

"And now... I think, you will be a better candidate to lead this team forward."

"I believe it's something that's good for the team and I know you don't have to wait - I won't hesitate to make any sacrifice as long as it's good for Arsenal."

Wenger smiled slyly, "I've heard about David."

Chen Yao was shocked and knew that Wenger was talking about the secret conversation between David Dein and him.

"Boss, I rejected David, I am willing to stay at Arsenal."

"I believe in you, Chen, but I also understand people's hearts. When you need to grow and develop the most, it is in your and the team's best interest to let me give up the opportunity. Bind your talent with loyalty, I do not."

"Boss... But, this is your team."

"Yeah, this is my team. I led them through 16 years of ups and downs. I can't forget everything here..."

Wenger looked longingly at the players in red and white jerseys in the distance, at the enthusiastic fans, at the lush green grass under his feet.

"But every story has an end. New stories need new people to continue writing. My choice is you."

"But." Chen Yao couldn't help asking, "I'm still so young, I might be the youngest head coach in Europe..."

"Isn't this bad? You should believe in yourself more, it's not a problem. Talented players are getting younger and younger, why can't the coach?"

Wenger continued, "Moreover, you have already possessed the qualities required by a good coach. Your theory, vision, and thinking are all excellent. More importantly, in just one season, you have realized the meaning of responsibility. And This is the most important quality for a coach."

Chen Yao said nothing more.

If at this time, he still pretends to decline and humble himself, that would be hypocritical.

Who would turn down such an opportunity?No one will.

But he knew that this was Wenger's sacrifice.He gave up at least six years of head coaching time and completed the biggest gamble of his career.

"Professor" Wenger watched players all his life. At the end of his career, he bet his status and reputation, and gave all his trust and expectations to a young coach.

This is Wenger's last chance to show his discernment.

Chen Yao looked at Wenger solemnly. He should have been very excited, but instead he was extremely calm at this moment: "I understand, boss... I won't let you down."

And I, will attest, was the greatest stroke of Wenger's career.

Wenger reached out and patted Chen Yao's arm. He wanted to say something, but he didn't say it.

it is more than words.

Pat Rice had already walked over. He put his coat on Wenger and also came over to pat Chen Yao's arm.

"I've watched you grow up, Chen, and we both think this choice was the right one."

After speaking, Pat Rice and Wenger turned and left together.

There are still many people who need to know this news. They will be surprised, shocked, question this decision, deny themselves, and doubt the future of Arsenal.

But Arsenal will definitely be revived in my hands.

It was like the mute button had been lifted, and the noise and restlessness of Wembley flooded into my ears again.

Chen Yao returned to the noisy stadium in an instant. He saw the backs of Wenger and Pat Rice gradually getting smaller, and finally became two small black dots in his field of vision.

He saw the Arsenal players finishing their farewell, and the youthful faces rushed toward him excitedly.

Their red and white jerseys are bright and dazzling, and their vigorous vitality and overflowing talent make people have infinite reverie.

His players swarmed over and embraced their equally young coach, celebrating, high-fiving, hugging, cheering.

"We'll be back at Wembley again!"

someone shouted.

"Champion, here we come!"

Others shouted after him.

Young blood is pulsating in the blood vessels, and the team logo that has gone through 120 years of wind and rain jumps and burns on the red satin.

A new era is coming.

(End of this chapter)