Football: The Journey of a Coach

21. Surprising News

    For Daniel Ward, being appreciated by Neil Warnock and being invited to Crystal Palace as assistant coach was indeed a leap forward in his career. Therefore, he did his best for the team.

Starting from drafting the power of Palace, Investigate the strength of the opponent, to re-examine tactics from the future. Everything was done by Daniel solely to return the Budi for Neil Warnock, who had already given him a chance at Crsytal Palace.

Time passed quickly, and December arrived in the blink of an eye. Crystal Palace situation is not improving. Starting from the pullback of the owner Simon Jordan, then rumors that Neil Warnock was offered to coach one of the Premier League teams, England, until the mainstay of Palace players who are sought by other clubs one after the other.

Although Crsytal Palace were hit by so many problems, the team still firmly sits in the 7th position of the standings. After beating Reading 4-2, Palace are just a point away from current 6th-placed Nottingham forest.

In contrast to the many problems that afflict the team, their achievements are even better.

***

“Daniel, Jordan will sell Crystal Palace, and Warnock is not necessarily staying here, so what are your plans?.” Uncle Wayne came to Daniel Ward's house one night in early December to ask about his future plans.

Ever since rumors began that Neil Warnock was interested in the premier league team, Wayne's uncle started to become very worried about his future at Crsytal Palace.

As his uncle, Daniel had no problem with Wayne worrying about his future. But not like this, every night his uncle would come to his house asking the same thing. His uncle's house was only a block from his own.

But looking again at the matter, this was completely out of the control of Daniel himself. If Warnock is leaving, he doesn't know what to do next.

"What else can I do. Now Mr. Warnock hasn't told me his plan, and I don't know how to set up." Daniel is helpless too. Neil Warnock himself still hasn't said anything, but Daniel feels that Warnock is fighting strongly with Jordan. About who can last longer.

"He'll definitely go!. Rumors about him turned out to be true, Hull City really wanted to sign him. Do you think Warnock will let go of the good thing, coaching in the premier league". Said his uncle, kali with a serious face.

" Is it true uncle?, Hull City asked Warnock to train". Daniel asked in surprise, he really did not expect that the rumors had been true all along.

" Yes, that's right. I heard from my friend who has a lot of connections in the premier league. That Hull City want to replace the current coach who got a bad result with Warnock." Uncle Wayne told me the news he'd been investigating all along.

" If not late December, or early January. Warnock will leave Crsytal Palace, what will you do then." Connect uncle.

"I don't know!". Daniel Ward really doesn't know whether to stay at Crsytal Palace or follow Warnock to a new club, that's if Warnock invites him.

" Huh.., I know it's gonna be like this. Daniel, you have to ask carefully and find out what he's thinking. Actually, I have an idea. I came here to ask you today just to see what you mean." Uncle Wayne suddenly put a complicated expression on his face.

" In fact, I want to tell you that if Warnock leaves, maybe we can try to see if we can let you take the position as head coach!". Wayne stopped going around in circles and revealed his strange idea.

“What." Daniel accidentally strangled his own vocal cords by shouting loudly.

" Huk..Hugk..". Uncle Wayne's mind made a cough.

After drinking water and calming himself. Daniel says. "I?. Temporary head coach?. Haha!. This joke is not funny at all uncle". Daniel exclaimed excitedly.

"Ha, why don't you. Instead of letting another coach, you better be Daniel". Uncle Wayne said, "You're a genius, you can definitely do well!".

A few months ago, Daniel Ward might still be able to boast. But after almost half a season, Daniel has now realised that being a head coach is really not as easy as he says.

Compared to the amateur teams, the professional teams were harder to deal with than the teams he had led before. There are more difficulties to be faced and more to be learned.

"Uncle, I'm not a genius. Hey, you don't know how hard it is to be the head coach of a professional team. It's a lot harder than my previous job." Daniel spoke of his true feelings.

***

On 12 December, Crystal Palace beat Nottingham forest 2:3 in an away game, with 44 points and moved up to 5th place in the standings.

However, after the game is over and during the post-match interview. Neil Warnock did not say anything while facing reporters' questions about Crystal Palace's financial problems and rumours that he would leave the team. Daniel knows Warnock may be waiting for Simon Jordan's answer.

Returning to the city of Croydon at night, the coaching team held a brief meeting reviewing the final match. At the meeting, Warnock unleashed big news. That he will leave Crystal Palace and start coaching Hull City in early January.

Many were left shocked by the news, not expecting Warnock to leave the team as Palace's form rose.

"Daniel, you just joined me a few months ago. And you did well, Palace's current good result wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for you".

" I can promise you, I will always put you in the position of my coaching staff. Do you understand what I mean ?." Warnock comforted Daniel and said straight to the point.

Who can't understand this meaning?. Frankly, what Neil Warnock meant was that wherever he went in the future, he was willing to keep bringing Daniel to join his team.

"Thank you very much!. Mr Warnock!" Wen Sheng expressed his gratitude sincerely.

Since discussing the future with Uncle Wayne, he had never actually communicated with Warnock about his future.

Now I don't expect Warnock, who has been silent, to remember his own skills at critical moments, and will continue to take him to a new team.

"Of course, if you have a better chance, I won't force you!". Warnock joked and patted Daniel's arm.

" Anyway, whatever your choice is, you have to study harder. Your strength lies in researching tactics, unique strategies, and a great vision, really great. But sometimes I think you are too close to the players, it is not good. You need authority, otherwise a coach won't be respected." Daniel Ward obediently nodded his head.

At Crystal Palace, he always had a learning attitude. Maybe because he's the youngest, Daniel likes to blend in with the players. Most of the players on the team still love it. Like Vardy and Kante, he has tried his best to help them adapt at Crsytal Palace.

The two chatted for a while, but Daniel to the end did not say his choice. He still doubts how.

***

N'golo Kante, who was watching TV in the living room saw Daniel enter the house, waiting for Daniel to pour a glass of beer from the refrigerator and sit on a chair. Then Kante asked timidly to Daniel.

“I heard the boss is leaving?."

“Who said that?”. Neil Warnock himself never said such a thing in front of the players.

However, he did not instantly fall silent, even his Uncle Wayne, was so convinced by this sort of thing. The players in the team must have talked about it personally.

"I've just received credible news that Mr. Warnock is indeed leaving. To coach Hull City in early January". Daniel told Kante honestly.

Kante immediately showed his nervousness, saying that he had been trusted by Warnock this season, and he had to worry about whether other coaches would believe him.

"What are you worried about!. N'Golo, you have to believe that you are the best player, and whatever the obstacles are the best player will always shine". Daniel Ward smiled and comforted him, he didn't think Kante would be disliked.

Which coach will reject a talented player with the nature of Kante, he is willing to do anything as long as he is paid. Unlike most players who have little talent, but have acted like famous star players.