135: Derby Carnival and the "Heart of the Empire" (Part 2)

“Lin Feng.”

She suddenly called out to Lin Feng, who was about to leave.

“I can understand your desire to win games, but have you ever considered what meaning football would have if it became completely predictable?”

This was a very profound question.

Lin Feng stopped and thought seriously for a few seconds.

“Sophie, do you think a painting loses its beauty because we understand the composition of the pigments?”

He retorted.

“The charm of football will not disappear because we understand its rules.

On the contrary, when we understand the sport more deeply, we will discover more beauty.”

Sophie nodded thoughtfully.

She began to understand that Lin Feng was not destroying football; he was redefining it.

Back in his office, Lin Feng received a call from David Watson.

The FA examiner’s voice sounded excited.

“Mr. Lin, congratulations on your victory last night. The committee conducted a special review of your application.”

Watson paused on the other end of the line.

“We have decided to make an exception and allow you to directly participate in the UEFA B-level coaching course.

The course will be held at St George’s Park, and you will be attending with retired professional players.”

This news was significant for Lin Feng.

Although he already possessed all the knowledge and abilities of a top coach, official certification was still necessary.

This would provide a more legitimate facade for his “shadow coach” identity.

“When does it start?”

Lin Feng asked.

“Next month. I will send you the specific time and course schedule.”

Watson’s tone carried a hint of excitement.

“To be honest, the committee is very interested in your performance. It is extremely rare in history for a League One team to continuously defeat Premier League opponents.”

Lin Feng was in a good mood after hanging up the phone.

Everything was proceeding according to his plan. The club’s performance, the construction of the research center, and the improvement of his personal qualifications—every aspect was steadily advancing.

But he also knew that success often brought new challenges.

Defeating Sunderland certainly boosted the players’ confidence, but it also started to breed some undesirable emotions.

Lin Feng observed during training that some players were beginning to show signs of complacency.

This was a problem he had to address promptly.

The next day, at the tactical meeting.

The players gathered in the meeting room at the Phoenix Training Center. Everyone still had the joy of last night’s victory on their faces, chatting and laughing while discussing media reports.

Vardy and Walker sat together, sharing congratulatory messages they had received yesterday.

Henderson was looking at the news on his phone, occasionally sharing interesting comments with his teammates.

Schmeichel still maintained his calm expression, but a satisfied glint sparkled in his eyes.

Lin Feng did not start the meeting immediately.

He quietly observed each player’s expression and state.

The World-Class Club Development Platform data showed that the team’s overall morale had reached an all-time high, but at the same time, the complacency index was also rising.

This was exactly what he was worried about.

“Gentlemen.”

Lin Feng’s voice interrupted the players’ chatter.

The meeting room instantly fell silent, and everyone’s attention turned to him.

“Last night’s victory was brilliant, and you should be proud of it.”

Lin Feng’s opening remarks brought smiles to the players’ faces.

“But today, we will not discuss last night’s game.”

He walked to the projector and pressed the power button.

“Let’s look at our opponents in three days.”

The large screen lit up, but the content displayed stunned everyone.

This was not a technical analysis of Millwall, nor was it a tactical breakdown. The screen showed a compilation of shocking foul plays.

Flying tackles, elbowing, malicious fouls.

Every shot was alarming. The players’ expressions gradually became serious, and the relaxed atmosphere from earlier instantly vanished.

“This is Millwall.”

Lin Feng’s voice was cold, without a trace of warmth.

“In three days, we are not going to a football field, but to ‘The Den.’ A true devil’s home ground.”

Vardy unconsciously touched his leg. The vicious fouls on the screen reminded him of some unpleasant memories.

“There, football is not the priority; fighting is.”

Lin Feng continued.

“Their fans will attack you with the most vicious language, and their players will treat you with the roughest actions.”

The atmosphere in the meeting room became exceptionally heavy.

The players, who had just been celebrating their victory over Sunderland, now realized the challenge they were about to face.

Lin Feng watched the changes in the players’ expressions with satisfaction.

This was exactly the effect he wanted. Pride and complacency were the biggest enemies on the path to success, and he had to keep the players clear-headed.

“Against such an opponent, any underestimation or complacency will be fatal.”

His words echoed in the meeting room.

“If you go there with the pride of defeating a Premier League team, I guarantee you will be torn to shreds.”

These words sent a shiver down everyone’s spine.

Even Sigurdsson, usually the most confident, put away his smile and his expression became focused.

The meeting room was so quiet that heartbeats could be heard.

Every player was re-evaluating the upcoming challenge. They realized that defeating Sunderland was just the beginning; the real test was yet to come.

Lin Feng turned off the projector.

“Starting tomorrow, we will conduct specialized training for Millwall. Remember, we must defeat the most barbaric opponents in the smartest way.”

The players nodded, their expressions becoming serious and focused. The joy of victory had been replaced by the impending challenge, which was exactly the state Lin Feng wanted to see.

After the meeting, Lin Feng remained alone in the meeting room.

He opened the World-Class Club Development Platform again to check the players’ psychological state data.

The complacency index had significantly decreased, while focus and urgency were on the rise.

This “theoretical lesson” achieved the desired effect.

But Lin Feng knew this was just the beginning.

Millwall’s challenge would be more difficult than Sunderland’s, not only because of their more aggressive playing style but also because of their more hostile home atmosphere.

He needed to devise a completely new tactical system for the players.

A tactic that could protect the players in extreme environments while ensuring victory.

Outside the window, the evening sun gradually set.

The lights of the Phoenix Training Center lit up one by one, and the players were still doing extra training. The meeting just now had made them re-realize the brutality of professional football.

Lin Feng stood by the window, watching the players sweating on the training ground in the distance.

His phone vibrated again; it was still a text message from Keira Knightley.

This time, he chose to reply.

“The game has just begun.”

Six short words, yet they contained endless meaning.