If the media had previously focused on the new chairman Martin, now, with Carlos's criticism, attention shifted to the rookie coach, barely 25 years old, at Real Madrid.

  He was the you a ving head coa Real Madrid's history, and perhaps the most pitiable.

  Various neers, rge and small, specuted on how long Gao Shen could hold onto his position as Real Madrid coach.

  M? Afternoon? By night?

  Optimism was to hope he could st until the day.

  Historically, no Real Madrid coach who publicly cshed with superstars had ended well.

  But there was another surprise awaiting them all.

  By evening, instead of news of a coag ge at Real Madrid, an ued interview surfaced.

  De Morena, the renowned Spanish radio host, interviewed Raul, the captain of Real Madrid, on his own show. It was Raul's first appearan the media since Florentino's departure.

  During the interview, Raul discussed Florentino's tenure and aowledged Real Madrid's achievements over the past six years. Regarding Florentinnation, he mentioned being informed in advance.

  "He spoke to me about it, and he believed it was the necessary step t ge to Real Madrid."

  De Morena also queried Raul about Florentino's ent regarding spoiliain individuals.

  Raul stated he hadn't personally heard such remarks and didn't know the text behind them.

  "However, it certainly doesn't apply to me. I've been here for fifteen years, always giving my all for the team."

  Raul expressed his initial opposition to appointing a 25-year-old rookie with no credentials as head coach.

  "When I first heard the news, like everyone else, I thought it was a ludicrous decision. But after iing with Gao Shen a few times, I've e to see that he has his own ideas. He's ambitious and full of energy."

  "You know, sometimes, what we perceive as maturity—caution and deliberation—might actually cause us to miss out o opportunities for self-corre."

  When asked if he supported Gao Shen, Raul refrained from end him ht.

  "I don't know. But he's currently the head coach of Real Madrid. As captain, my responsibility is to support him."

  After a brief pause, Raul added, "For a team like ours, the head coach's role is simultaneously the least important and the most crucial."

  "It's not about who he is, because we boast the world's stro squad. As long as we work together and perform as expected, we defeat any team."

  "I emphasize his importance because managing the dynamics within the locker room, ensuring everyone works in harmony, is a signifit challenge. In that respect, the new head coach, despite his ck of experience, has done endably."

  Raul also issued a plea ing Real Madrid's current situation.

  As captairessed the need for unity amidst the team, especially in preparation for the uping derby a week's Champions League match.

  "Real Madrid now requires a unified external voice, with all of us sharing a on goal to navigate this challenging period. Aing against this is ao the locker room."

  ...

  Raul's interview immediately sparked widespread discussion in the media.

  Many interpreted it as Real Madrid's captain responding ily to Carlos's earlier interview, suggesting that as speak louder than words.

  However, some critics felt Raul sidestepped addressing Gao Shen's appoi directly.

  In his n, Alfredo, the editor-in-chief of Aspen neer, analyzed that Vite del Bosque would be the most acceptable choice for all fas within Real Madrid. If paired with Fernando Hierro, it could greatly be the club.

  Firstly, Bosque enjoys Martin's favor as the new chairman. Sedly, Raul has publicly expressed support for Bosque. Additionally, stars like Ronaldo and Zidane hold Bosque in high regard. Lastly, Bosque, currently avaible, stands ready to step in at any moment.

  It's a perfect alig of time, pce, and personnel.

  Bosque appears tailor-made for Real Madrid.

  The main hurdle remains Florentino and his allies, staunchly opposed to Bosque's return.

  Bosque once asserted that only after Florentino's departure could he eaiurning to Real Madrid.

  In essence, if Bosque returns, it signals Florentino's total loss of influe the club.

  Alfredo posited that Bosque's return would be the final step.

  Should Gao Shen falter in the weekend derby, Martin would likely seize the opportunity, dismiss Gao Shen, and rally support to install Bosque as head coach.

  At that juncture, even Florentino and his supporters would find it difficult to obstruct.

  Gao Shen paid little heed to the external tumult. His days were ed with rigorous training sessions during the day, refining tactical approaches and pyer coordination. At night, he immersed himself in tactical studies, fortifying his oabilities.

  Even the prospect of being repced by Bosque failed to ule him.

  ...

  ...

  Knooock.

  Gao Shen, engrossed at his desk before the puter, heard a knock at the door. He looked up to find Raul standing there.

  "It's te; you're still here?" Gao Shen waved him in, stretg his stiff neck. "What's up?"

  Raul nodded as he entered. "I just received word that there might be... well, some more extreme banners and ents at the Beromorrow night. You should brace yourself mentally."

  Gao Shen aowledged he repared for this.

  Especially after this afternoon, he had opted not to attend the pre-match press feren person. Instead, Assistant Coach Maqueda had gone, announg that, save for Felipe Luis, all Brazilian pyers were excluded from the lineup for tomorrow's match.

  What reviously specution was now all but firmed. Everyone, including ordinary fans, could see clearly that Gao Shen was making a decisive break with the Brazilian ti.

  "Are you still here so te just to remind me of this?" Gao Shen noticed the hesitan Raul's expression.

  Raul seemed surprised. Each time he faced Gao Shen, he felt as if his thoughts were transparently id bare, which left him slightly unnerved.

  After all, wasn't Gao Shen just twenty-five years old?

  Why did he exude such ing and insight?

  "To be ho, we're all ed," Raul admitted with a sigh.

  "Uandable," Gao Shen replied with a slight smile.

  In the Real Madrid locker room, the Brazilian ti's dominance didn't merely stem from their numbers but from their formidable abilities. Physically speaking, the local pyers were no match for them.

  Over ret years, the bae of Real Madrid had been the Brazilians and the superstar ti, while the local pyers' influence waned.

  Now, by sidelining the Brazilian group decisively, Gao Shen was metaphorically severing an arm of Real Madrid. Could a team so fiercely petitive in La Liga mah just one arm? Could they overturn Arsenal in the Champions League's return leg?

  Raul and others were naturally apprehehey loved the team deeply and uood the Brazilian squad's strength and tributions.

  Did Gao Shen not uand this?

  On the trary, he uood perfectly well.

  But it was a necessary step.

  Having decided to throw his support behind the local pyers, Gao Shen had to press on with this strategy. Otherwise, his tenure as head coach wouldn't just be at risk—it would be over.

  In ma, subordinates were categorized into two groups: those useful and those not. For now, many of the Brazilians fell into the tter category.

  When Gao Shen stabilized his position and they softeheir stance, he would resider using them to bahe local pyers, thus asserting his authority over the locker room.

  Of course, all this assumed he could maintain his position at Real Madrid.

  The path Gao Shen had chosen was arduous but necessary, guided by principle and a clear uanding.

  Queiroz, del Bosque, Luxemburgo, and eveurning to Bosque—all had promised and appeased, managing symptoms but not addressing root causes, perpetuating a vicious cycle.

  From the outset, Gao Shen had resolved to tackle the root issue head-on. Success was imperative; failure was not an option.

  "We ese have a saying: 'A man should act with iy and adhere to his principles.' It means there are lines one must not cross, principles to uphold. Some as are necessary; some are not."

  Gao Shen's words surprised Raul, resonating deeply with him.

  Despite his 1.8-meter stature, Raul felt exposed in Gao Shen's presence.

  "Don't worry. After these interaining days, I'm fident. That's why I haven't asked the pyers to stay at a hotel tonight but to rest at home. You should go home a early too," Gao Shen reassured him.

  Raul realized he had nothing more to add, so he simply nodded a.

  Watg Raul depart, Gao Shen chuckled inwardly.

  There was another critical reason why he was so determio sidelihe Brazilians, and that reason was Martin.

  Aill blind to the power struggle between Martin and Florentino was simply refusing to see.

  The Brazilian ti had been Florentino's favored fa. By sidelining them, Gao Shen was dismantling Florentino's legacy. Did Martin care about the team's performance?

  Let's be real—Real Madrid had already plummeted to this state in the current season. How much further could they realistically fall?

  In other words, Gao Shen needed results to secure his position, but Martin did not.

  If Gao Shen leaned on the Brazilians now and failed to deliver results, he'd be dismissed. But if he succeeded, it would imply the Brazilians weren't