The referee blew the whistle, signaling the end of the match!

  A heavy silenketed Stamford Bridge.

  Judging by both their performand the result, Chelsea's showing in this match wasn't poor at all. pared to their time under Scori, the pyers worked harder, the team pyed more cohesively, and there was an evident improvement.

  This should have been a game that inspired optimism.

  But they lost.

  This was the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Chelsea fans uood too well what a 1-2 defeat at home meant. The significe of this loss cast a shadow over the eie—it would now take a miracle for Chelsea to turn things around in the sed leg.

  But given Chelsea's current lineup and morale, how easy would it be to pull off such a miracle?

  In the VIP box, Abramovich sat motionless, feeling the despair in the air. He shared the same disappoi as the fans.

  Last season, Chelsea made it to the Champions League final but ultimately lost to Maer United. Abramovich had pinned high hopes on Scori this season, only for things to fall apart.

  Now, even with Hiddink at the helm, Chelsea faced signifit roster limitations.

  Scori's approad tactics had been drastically different from Hiddink's, and the pyers were still adjusting. Hiddink wao return to a 4-3-3 formation, but Chelsea cked the quality wingers necessary to execute that system effectively.

  Even their defensive frailties were gringly obvious.

  But beyond these tactical and teical challenges, Chelsea's core issue was the age structure of the squad.

  Every pyer has their peak years, and every team has its cycle. For Chelsea, the peak of this geion had been st season. The warning signs of dee were already visible, but Abramovich's sag of Mourinho midway through the season had exacerbated the situation.

  Was it ruthless?

  Of course, it was. But Abramovich had his reasons.

  He eve Mourinho a globally limited-edition Porsche after dismissing him, his way of showing respect.

  Abramovich didn't see the value in keeping Mourinho if the team ying dull football and internal flicts were left unresolved.

  And initially, the results seemed to justify his decision. Under Grant, Chelsea made it to the Champions League final.

  But some argued that luck had pyed a bigger role than tactical brilliance.

  After their crushing loss to Maer United in the final, the Chelsea pyers were devastated. Abramovid his team were acutely aware that this squad's peak wouldn't st much lohey needed immediate results before the iable dee set in.

  But Scori had failed spectacurly.

  And now, even with Hiddink's arrival, Chelsea was being forced to face their impending issues head-on. Their aging core was undeniable. Carvalho's frequent injuries, Drogba, Terry, Balck, and Lampard all aging, this squad wasn't built for loy.

  And to make matters worse, the global financial crisis was restrig Abramovich's ability to pump unlimited funds into the club.

  Simply put, Chelsea would o slow down.

  …

  "Piette, what do you think of Gao Shen?" Abramovich exhaled heavily, turning to ask his trusted advisor, Piet De Visser.

  De Visser had reended Hiddink for the job, and although Hiddink couldn't be faulted for tonight's loss, the result was still disappointing.

  "Genius," De Visser answered without hesitation.

  "Genius?"

  "Yes." De Visser nodded firmly. "For him to manage Napoli the way he does at just 28 years old, to remain calm under pressure in su important game, and to go head-to-head tactically with someone like Hiddink, it's extraordinary."

  De Visser paused briefly before tinuing. "As I've said befus [Hiddink] has a knack for identifying a team's strengths and building around them to defeat oppos. Gao Shen has that same talent. Napoli's biggest strength is their fitness, so he used that to his advantage. Even after g, he stayed patient and stuck to his pn."

  "With this level of posure aermination, his potential is limitless."

  Abramovich was genuinely surprised by De Visser's assessment.

  "He pys beautiful football," Abramovich said thoughtfully.

  De Visser picked up on Abramovich's implicit question and nodded. "Yes, but with our current squad, if Gao Sheo e here, we'd o overhaul several positions."

  Abramovich hesitated. His avaible funds were tighter than ever, and Chelsea's aging core couldn't be ignored.

  Would Gao Shen really be able to hahis situation?

  …

  Och, Gao Shen walked along the sidelines, greeting his pyers one by one like they were returning warriors.

  He hugged each of them, his smile wide and genuine.

  Anyone could see how thrilled and proud he was at this moment.

  When Napoli was drawn against Chelsea, most people had written them off, predig an easy win for Chelsea. But nooli had pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.

  This wasn't just a win; it was a statement.

  Napoli now had one foot in the Champions League quarterfinals.

  Of course, the sed leg still o be pyed.

  Fag a coach of Hiddink's caliber, pcy would be a fatal mistake.

  …

  Iands, Mubarak, Maer City's chairman, watched as Gao Shen celebrated with his pyers before they disappeared into the tunnel. Alongside him, his advisors Brian Marwood and Brian Kidd remained silent.

  As they left the stadium and walked back to their hotel, the mood was reflective.

  On the way, they overheard Chelsea fans discussing the game.

  Many fans praised Napoli's performance, while others mented Chelsea's shortings.

  A few even ented, "If Gao Shen were coag Chelsea, we'd already be dominating."

  One fan's words stood out: "He's the best coa Eurht now, and he's only 28. He could bee our Ferguson!"

  Mubarak couldn't help but be intrigued.

  Ferguson?

  A Ferguson for Maer City?

  As they walked, Mubarak turo Marwood and Kidd. "Start looking into the feasibility ing Gao Shen to Maer City. I don't care what it takes."

  The two advisors exged uneasy gnces.

  "It's plicated," Marwood began. "He has a strong personal retionship with Florentino Perez, who's about to retake the presidency at Real Madrid. Florentino has publicly supported Gao Shen for years, and it's widely rumored that Gao Shen is his first choianage Real Madrid season."

  Kidd nodded in agreement. "Gao Shen also has deep ties to Real Madrid. It's going to be very difficult to pete with them."

  Mubarak's expression darkened, but he refused to give up. "I don't care. We'll find a way."

  "Even if Real Madrid is in the mix, we o do everything we to get him. Whatever it costs!"

  …

  Ba his hotel room, Mubarak called Sheikh Mansour in the UAE to discuss his pns.

  "Is he really that good?" Mansour asked skeptically.

  "One of the best in Europe," Mubarak replied fidently.

  Mansour paused for a moment. "I've heard of him. During Bayern Munich's wiraining camp in Dubai, their executives spoke highly of Gao Shen. Apparently, Bebauer, Rummenigge, and Hoeness are all sidering him as one of their two final didates for season."

  Hearing this, Mubarak felt his heart sink.

  Real Madrid was already a tough enough petitor. Now Bayern Munich too?

  And in the summer, Chelsea and Liverpool might also be looking for new coaches.

  What ce did Maer City stand?

  Sensing Mubarak's frustration, Mansour chuckled. "Don't get disced. The fact that so many people want him proves how good he is. That's exactly why we should try."

  Mubarak nodded. "I uand."

  "Good. Study the situation carefully, and if you're sure, I'll support you. Even if we 't get him immediately, maintaining a good retionship with him will pay off iure. Talent like his is rarer than a superstar pyer."

  "Uood."

  After hanging up, Mubarak sat in silence, deep in thought.

  He had never been this impressed by a coach before.

  Mark Hughes suddenly seemed irrelevant.