Football: The Journey of a Coach

22. Coach Crsytal Palace ?

    

Calming the nervous Kante, Daniel Ward returns to the room and hurriedly calls his Uncle Wayne.

"Let me just say it. He will not miss any coaching opportunities in the premier league. After all, Crystal Palace had nothing to do with Warnock." Wayne's tone of voice contained little complacency in having successfully guessed Warnock's departure.

"Simon Jordan will be leaving soon too. He might want to sell to someone first ".

Crystal Palace now has a debt of up to 15 million pounds. Simon Jordan will definitely not add his own capital, and he has no funds to help the team out of trouble. Crystal Palace have nothing but players and a training base. The stadium was rented to others and did not belong to Crystal Palace.

The Crystal Palace situation is not a big problem in English football. After all, clubs like them are not uncommon in recent years, but for Croydon locals, this is a big deal.

The last thing fans want to see is Crystal Palace Bankruptcy, so now the fans scold Simon Jordan all day, and they gather in the club office building to demonstrate when they do nothing.

What's interesting is that some fans pulled a banner that read "Simon Jordan, get out!".

Daniel was a little sympathetic to them and it was funny actually. Simon Jordan doesn't need fans to kick him out, he'll go it alone.

Crystal Palace lost 1:3 to Sheffield United in the 23rd league round. Neil Warnock finally announced in the dressing room that he was leaving.

"I'm sorry, I chose to leave in the current situation. You're all great, but ...". Warnock's old coach didn't finish his sentence, everyone understood the meaning, no matter how good someone else was if he met a situation like this, I was worried it would be the same as well. After saying the big news, Warnock came out of the dressing room.

The players are also very frustrated, everyone is worried about their future. If Simon Jordan does not sell Crsytal Palace, the team will enter the financial board's trusteeship.

Crystal Palace will eventually be forced to sell their flagship player, in order to pay off the club's debt. Young players will also be worried that their football careers will falter. This season there are many young people who have been promoted.

Daniel Ward doesn't care about everyone's feelings now, the problem is over, he's confused about what to do now.

" Janiel".

Daniel was not in the mood, hearing someone call his name. Looked at Neil Warnock standing in the hallway, waving at him.

"I want to talk to you!". Warnock said as Daniel approached him. "Let's talk while walking!".

The two of them walked down the aisle, until they finally stood on the grass of Selhurst park stadium.

" Daniel, you seem to be confused at the moment whether to follow or stay at Crsytal Palace. Am I right". Warnock started the conversation.

" That's right boss, I don't know why I'm leaving Palace at the moment. The team's performance was good, even though the last game lost to Sheffield United. Palace are still in the top five of the standings."

" Leaving a team that is in a good trend, and choose to go to Hull City who are in the relegation zone. Is it really a viable option." Daniel vented all of his pent-up feelings at this moment.

Neil Warnock did not interrupt Daniel's words at all, he just listened as he looked at the green grass of Selhurst park.

After Daniel finished venting his feelings, there was a silence for five minutes. Warnock started talking again.

" I know you disappointed Daniel, for thirty years I trained. I've felt the same way."

" Living like that, right?. Lots of disappointment, lots of fun. We can just keep moving forward." Advice came out from the mouth of the man in his 60s beside him.

Daniel was silent, looking at the same thing. Selhurst grass park.

" About your question. Why choose to go to Hull City, even though Crsytal Palace is doing well."

" Dream you say?." Ask Daniel.

" Right, dream. Since the Premier League was formed, I have never coached in the best league in England.I can only look at the era of Brian Clough, Bobby Robson, and lastly Alek Ferguson. Given my old age, I would love to feel how tough the premier league is for the last time before retiring from coaching. Although I will eventually fail at Hull City, it doesn't matter". Warnock said at length.

" I see, yeah". Daniel finally understood what prompted Warnock to leave Crsytal Palace.

" Yes, and I'm aware that Palace's current success is entirely because of you Daniel. That's why I want you to help face the rigors of the Premier League, but it looks like you're going to ask you too much again." Warnock.

" I believe you'll be a great coach Daniel, even surpassing the names I mentioned before."

" I therefore want you to remain at Crsytal Palace, to start your own path now."

" Huh" Daniel was shocked to hear Warnock's last words.

" Yes, I want you to continue what we did at Crsytal Palace. I want you to take the position of Palace head coach." Neil Warnock said with confidence.

" I would recommend you to Simon Jordan to take over the leadership of Crsytal Palace."

***

Daniel returns to the city of Croydon filled with grief and confusion. On the way home, Daniel Ward thought a lot about Warnock's words to train at Crsytal Palace to replace him. The thought of coaching the first team in the English championship division made him nervous and excited at the same time.

Nervous because he had to train at the young age of 31 years, by the way Daniel's birth day was December 19 last. So he's now one more year old.

Excited because this is a good opportunity for him, with the recommendation of Warnock himself will be a little hindrance for him to coach Crsytal Palace.

At home the night after the team arrived in Croydon, Daniel Ward received a message from his uncle Wayne Collins that he would be visiting his current home.

With his uncle coming, Daniel will talk about the words between himself and Warnock in the afternoon. Expect advice from his uncle, whether to accept a recommendation from Neil Warnock to coach Crsytal Palace in his place.

" She, Tong...Thing Tong's". The bell of Daniel's house indicates that his uncle has come.

Daniel stood to open the door, letting his uncle into the living room.

While Wayne Collins was sitting in the living room, Daniel went to his home refrigerator taking two bottles of beer and his glass into the living room.

After each of them poured beer from bottle to glass, his uncle Wayne finally said first. " So, Daniel. I heard that Warnock was saying goodbye to the team this afternoon".

After downing his beer glass, Daniel said to Uncle Wayne. " That's right, Mr. Warnock has decided to leave Crsytal Palace and will coach Hull City in early January."

" Ha, it makes me a little sad to hear Warnock will actually leave Crsytal Palace. Even though I knew something like this would happen, but setida.....".

" Uncle, Actually......" . Daniel Ward cut off his uncle's words and recounted a conversation between himself and Neil Warnock this afternoon.

" So, like that.., what should I do". Daniel finished talking Warnock's words to his uncle and asked him what advice to do.

" It's not easy Daniel, just do it I'll help you convince the board of Crsytal Palace". Wayne said Daniel was confident that his nephew would coach Crsytal Palace.

" Huh, what do you mean uncle?." Daniel was confused to hear Wayne.

" What's more, of course, agreeing to Warnock's recommendation. To be coach of Crsytal Palace."