26 The Czech Backup

*BANG*

Startled by the sudden intrusion, Kai Chiu looked up from his desk to find Kevin Nolan, his assistant manager, barging into his office without a moment's hesitation. The urgency and intensity in Nolan's demeanor immediately caught Kai's attention.

"Nolan, what's the matter?" Kai asked, his voice filled with curiosity and a hint of concern.

Nolan's face was flushed, his breaths coming in short bursts as he tried to compose himself. He quickly closed the office door behind him and rushed toward Kai's desk.

"Kai, you won't believe what I just heard," the assistant manager exclaimed, his voice laden with a mix of excitement and urgency.

Intrigued, Kai leaned forward, his attention now fully focused on Nolan's words. "Tell me, Nolan. What's going on?"

Nolan took a moment to catch his breath before blurting out, "I've received reliable information that an experienced right back, who perfectly fits our requirements, is available for a transfer. He's been impressing in his current club, and there are whispers that they might be willing to let him go."

A spark of hope ignited within Kai's eyes as he absorbed Nolan's words. The possibility of finally resolving the right back dilemma filled him with anticipation and cautious optimism.

"Who is this player?" Kai asked, his voice brimming with anticipation.

Nolan paused, building the suspense before finally revealing the name. "It's Vladimir Courfal! He's been plying his trade at Slavia Prague, but his contract is approaching its end. The club is open to negotiations, and I believe our club owners identified him as the solution we've been desperately searching for."

"...huh... you kidding."

As Kai Chiu sat in his office, engrossed in thoughts about the right back position, his confusion and frustration mounted. He had repeatedly recommended suitable candidates as the ideal replacement at Right Back, yet his suggestions seemed to have been ignored by the club's hierarchy.

"Why hasn't my recommendation been taken seriously?" Kai pondered, his internal monologue tinged with a sense of bewilderment. "I provided comprehensive evidence of many players that were suitable to my team, their skill set, their work rate, and the impact they could have on our team. It's disheartening to see my suggestions seemingly disregarded."

The lack of response or acknowledgment from the club's decision-makers had left Kai questioning his own judgment. He began to doubt whether he had failed to articulate the value that his signings could bring to the team or if his recommendations had simply fallen on deaf ears.

"Have I not made a convincing enough case?" Kai wondered, his voice filled with frustration. "I stand by my belief that Max Aarons could be the answer to our right back problem. His performances for the Norwich City and his consistency as an English U-21 International player cannot be overlooked."

As Kai reflected on his efforts to emphasize Aaron's suitability, he couldn't help but feel a mix of disappointment and confusion. He had put his faith in his scouting abilities and trusted his judgment, hoping to provide the team with a much-needed solution.

"I believed that my recommendations would be given due consideration," Kai muttered, a hint of dejection creeping into his voice. "It's disheartening to feel like my input is being dismissed."

As Kai Chiu contemplated the situation, a sudden realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. West Ham United was a club where managers had minimal influence over transfer decisions. It wasn't a new phenomenon but a reality that had become glaringly apparent to him now.

"I've been fooling myself," Kai muttered, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and resignation. "In this club, the power to make transfer decisions lies elsewhere. My recommendations and objections hold little weight in the grand scheme of things."

Memories from his past life flooded Kai's mind, reminding him of the time when Vladimir Coufal had joined West Ham under similar circumstances. In fact, in Kai's past life, Courfal was set to join West Ham at the start of the 2020-2021 Premier League Season. But in this timeline, thanks to Kai's transmigration, Courfal arrived at West Ham 6 months earlier than what should have happened.. Kai registered how the decisions had been made without consent or input from West Ham managers, leaving them to adapt and work with a player they hadn't specifically chosen.

"History seems to be repeating itself," Kai sighed, his disappointment palpable. "It's a pattern that I had hoped would change, but it appears that the club's transfer policy remains unchanged."

The realization hit Kai hard. He had initially believed that his managerial role would come with the authority to shape the team according to his vision. However, the reality was far different. He found himself in a position where his desires and objections were simply brushed aside, and decisions were made above his head.

Another realisation struck him.... David Moyes was the manager that was supposed to replace Pellegrini as West Ham manager. Did Moyes get the players he wanted? Did he have any sway over the club's transfers? A cycle of vicious thoughts dawned on Kai as he pieced together the negligible influence managers have at West Ham. And most importantly, Kai realised the team of future superstars that he aimed to acquire in the future was nothing more than false hope.

Goodbye William Saliba

Goodbye Julian Alverez.

Goodbye Evan Ferguson.

Goodbye Moises Caicedo.

Goodbye Kaoru Mitoma.

It seems I am not fated to be your manager.

"This lack of influence on transfers poses a significant challenge," Kai thought, a sense of frustration creeping into his voice. "As a manager, having control over the recruitment process is crucial to building a team that can execute my tactical philosophy effectively. There goes my aspiration of building a team with future stars."

But there was a fire in Kai that he couldn't put out. A frustration in him that he couldn't quite overlook. He had aspirations with West Ham. He had a dream of building a super team on young talents. He was from the future, and he knew these players will be crucial cog in his West Ham team.

With a fierce determination, Kai Chiu picked up his phone and dialed David Gold's number. He knew that it was time to demand an answer and make his voice heard regarding the transfer decisions that were being made without his consent.

As the phone rang, Kai's heart pounded in his chest. He rehearsed his arguments in his mind, ready to present his case with conviction and unwavering belief. He was determined to show that his recommendations held merit and should be given serious consideration.

"Hello?" David Gold's voice came through the phone, and Kai wasted no time in getting straight to the point.

"Mr Gold, it's Kai," he began, his voice steady but firm. "I need to discuss the transfer decisions that have been made without my input. I have put forth my recommendations, and I believe it's crucial that we have a conversation about this."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before David Gold responded. "Kai, I understand your concerns, but ultimately, these decisions are made with the best interests of the club in mind," he explained, his tone attempting to pacify.

Kai took a deep breath, ready to assert himself. "I respect that, David, but as the manager, I am responsible for the team's performance on the pitch. It's essential that I have a say in the players who are brought in, as they need to align with our tactical philosophy and contribute to our success."

He continued passionately, his words carrying the weight of his determination. "I have done my research, Mr Gold. I have identified players who I believe can make a significant impact on our team, and I urge you to reconsider their potential."

There was a pause, and Kai could sense the tension building. He knew that this conversation would be crucial in determining the extent of his influence within the club.

Finally, David Gold responded, his tone softened. "Kai, I appreciate your passion and commitment.... but there are things that even I can't control."

Kai felt a wave of disappointment crash over him as he heard David Gold's words. The softening of his tone had given Kai a glimmer of hope, but now it seemed that hope was fading away.

"What do you mean, David?" Kai asked, his voice tinged with frustration. "Are you saying that there are external factors beyond our control that dictate the transfer decisions?"

David sighed audibly on the other end of the line. "Kai, football is a complex business," he began. "Even as I am an owner of West Ham, I don't have complete influence on transfer dealings. "

Kai's realization deepened as he considered the ownership structure of West Ham United. With David Sullivan(39%) and Daniel Kretinsky(27%) collectively owning 66% of the club, they held significant power and control over its financial decisions. This meant that they could utilize club funds and pursue transfer targets according to their own discretion.

Even if Gold is at disapproval of the players that transfer to West Ham, he had no power to stop the acquisition of those players. Gold only have 25% ownership of West Ham, and individually he has no influence and power to sway the club's direction.

Kai's mind began to connect the dots as he pondered the common thread among the Slavic players West Ham had acquired over the years. Nikola Vlašić, Tomáš Souček, and now Vladimír Coufal—they all hailed from the former Yugoslavia. It wasn't just a coincidence; there seemed to be a deeper reason behind the club's inclination towards Yugoslavian players.

The realization struck Kai with a mix of curiosity and intrigue. If the ownership's affinity for Slavic players stemmed from West Ham Owner: Mr Kretinsky's own Yugoslavian background, it added another layer of understanding to their transfer strategy. The cultural and personal connection Kretinsky might feel towards players from his own homeland could explain the club's persistent interest in Yugoslavian talents.

"This sheds a new light on the situation," Kai muttered to himself, a sense of clarity washing over him. "The ownership's preference for Slavic players in his past life isn't just a matter of regional bias. It goes deeper, influenced by the owner: Mr Kretinsky's personal connection to Yugoslavia."

Understanding this nuance opened up a realm of possibilities for Kai. If he could build a rapport with Mr Kretinsky, tapping into their shared background and common cultural understanding, it could further strengthen his influence over transfer decisions.

"I must foster a stronger relationship with Kretinsky," Kai resolved, his determination growing. "By showcasing my understanding of the Yugoslavian football landscape and highlighting how these players can elevate our team, I can create a sense of alignment and mutual trust."

A devious plan emerged from Kai's mind as he realised it was time to change the players he recommended. It was clear he must favour players that are specifically from the Yugoslavia region to gain Owner Kretinsky's support in his transfer targets. And with Mr Gold also on his side, it means Kai could finally acquire the players he wished as the these two club owners have more than 50% ownership of the club.

If this was the case then...

hehe.

The future core of Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, etc... shall come to West Ham United!