Though no longer Real Madrid's head coach, Carlo still rose early. Downstairs for breakfast, he paused by the mailbox, retrieving the freshly delivered AS neer, a staple for most Real Madrid fans.

  Upon gng at the cover, Carlo froze.

  "He is destroying Real Madrid!"

  The headline in scarlet letters spanned half the page, striking as a midnight bell tolling ominously.

  Carlo hurriedly flipped to the sed edition, abs Carlos's scathing remarks from st night's Spanish TV 3 program. basted chairman Martin, the new president, and particurly targeted Gao Shen, the head coach.

  Carlos, responding to Gao Shen's ret press ferenents about pyer itment, asserted, "Every pyer at Real Madrid is world-css and worthy of this jersey. I've been here a decade, and everyone gives their all for this club."

  When pressed about Gao Shen's vague criticisms, Carlos suggested they implied deeper issues withieam, branding it irresponsible and potentially damaging.

  Asked if Real Madrid fao issues, Carlos ceded minor s but insisted, "Internal matters should be resolved internally. Now it's blown out of proportion, and everyone's watg us."

  Regarding aging stars like Ronaldo, Carlos dismissed s, g Romario's goal-sg prowess at forty. He critiqued Gao Shen's ck of coag pedigree before Real Madrid, questioning his suitability to lead such a prestigious club.

  "Why choose a coach with no experience, barely older than some of our pyers? Is it just for slogans or to appease higher-ups?" Carlos accused, g Gao Shen was undermining years of hard work.

  Carlos also expressed locker room dissent tao Shen, eg broader fan and media skepticism about his capabilities.

  Aspen News covered Carlos's outburst extensively, attributing it to Gao Shen's ret decisions, including excluding Carlos and Ronaldo from the team, whicited Carlos's ire and subsequent public remarks.

  The entary specuted ourmoil engulfing Real Madrid, critig ret managerial decisions and their impa team morale and performance.

  Alfredo, Aspeor-in-chief, mehe club's current state, calling Gao Shen's appoihe most questionable in Real Madrid's history. He hi mounting pressure from fans, club legends, and even King Juan, urging swift corrective a.

  "In light of these chaotic days," Alfredo cluded, "the weekend's derby against Atletiadrid looms crucial. Anything short of a win will only deepen Real Madrid's woes."

  …

  Standing in his courtyard, Carlo absorbed the severity of the situation after reading Aspen's analysis and Alfredo's n. Alfredo's intervention signaled broader distent within the club and the media.

  Gao Shen had unwittingly beadrid's publiemy.

  This weekend's derby carried immeakes. A loss or even a draw would be uable, potentially igniting fan fury at the Bernabeu—a sario unpreted in Real Madrid's storied history.

  Faced with this turmoil, Carlo reached for his phone and dialed Gao Shen's number without hesitation.

  …

  Gao Shen halted his bicycle as Carlo's name fshed on his phone s. He answered promptly.

  "Hello, sir."

  "Gao, have you seen the news?" Carlo's voice betrayed urgency.

  "Yes, I have. It's as expected," Gao Shen replied calmly.

  This backsh didn't surprise him; Ronaldo's absence from criticism was a minor relief.

  "You o uand, Gao," Carlo insisted, "resigning might be your best move. This isn't something you fight alone."

  "I uand, sir," Gao Shen maintained his posure. "But this is an opportunity."

  Carlo fell silent oher end.

  "I came to Madrid alone, and you've always guided me. I know your ambitions. I'm fulfilling them now."

  "Just trust me, we will win this derby."

  Carlled to respond, unsure of where Gao Shen's fideemmed from.

  "I have some urgent matters to attend to in the wo days," Gao Shen tinued. "I won't be able to visit you. I hope you e to the Berhis weekend. You'll see a different Real Madrid."

  Carlo hesitated, her agreeing nor deing.

  After ending the call with Carlo, Gao Shen resumed cyg towards Valdebebas. Moments ter, his ph again, dispying an unfamiliar number.

  It was Martin, Real Madrid's new president, soundiurbed.

  "What's going on with Carlos and Ronaldo?" Martin demanded.

  Gao Shen expihe ret training ground i and defended his decision.

  "Some pyers believe their positions are untouchable, strohan the chairman's authority. We've been too le with stars in the past, blurring the lines between pyer and club," Gao Shen argued, striking a chord with Martin.

  Martin aowledged these ses, having faced simir challenges with superstar egos in the past.

  "But what about this weekend's derby after ousting the Brazilian gang?" Martin pressed.

  Gao Shen replied fidently, "We've been practig actics, and the response has been positive. Even without the Brazilian stars, we will beat Atletiadrid. You'll see a revitalized Real Madrid at the Bernabeu."

  After a brief pause, Gao Shen added solemnly, "Truthfully, I've drafted a resignatioer. If we 't defeat Atletico this weekend, you won't o say anything. I'll submit it that very night."

  It was a weighty decration, aowledging the precariousness of his positio, Gao Shen spoke with resolve, determio salvage his te Real Madrid.

  Martin listened ily, sensing a rare vi in Gao Shen's words.