Chapter 12

The game was over, and for the second match in a row, Situ Yunbing did not shake hands with his opposing coach. This time, Gerets, seething with anger, stormed off the field without looking back. 

As the tension of the match dissolved, Situ Yunbing allowed himself a rare moment of relaxation. He walked onto the pitch with a calm expression, offering words of praise to his players. The young Chinese coach had earned the respect of many in the squad after this hard-fought victory. 

While Meriem had undoubtedly been the star of the day, young striker Nimani and winger Mollo had also impressed with their efforts. The younger players, in particular, seemed more inclined to rally around Situ Yunbing, grateful for the opportunities he had given them. With the team in transition, many of them now had the chance to cement their place in the starting lineup and secure consistent playing time. 

After this victory, a quiet but growing support for Situ Yunbing began to build among the younger players. The sentiment was clear: those eight players sent to the reserves—who had resisted the coach—were better off staying there. Should Situ Yunbing be dismissed, the new coach would likely reinstate them, a scenario the current squad didn't want to see. 

As Situ Yunbing wrapped an arm around Mollo to commend his performance, the young winger beamed with satisfaction. His confidence was evidently on the rise, and the coach's words of praise only fueled his growing energy. 

As Situ Yunbing made his way into the tunnel, reporters gathered to stop him for a post-match interview. He greeted them with a triumphant smile, not only because his team had won but because this victory had given him renewed confidence. The dark clouds surrounding his tenure seemed to be lifting. 

One reporter opened with a question that seemed to capture the mood of the day: "It was an unexpected victory. After last week's heavy defeat, and with all the negative rumors around the club, did you ever imagine such a result at the Velodrome today?" 

Situ Yunbing smiled and responded calmly, "The media loves to exaggerate. Monaco is undergoing a transition after a change of coach, and that naturally takes time. It's a normal part of football. Negative rumors? After our performance today, do you still think there's a problem at Monaco? We performed significantly better than last week, and this is the result of hard work. It shows that we are moving in the right direction. I can't claim I was confident we would win today before kickoff—Marseille is a strong opponent. But we weren't afraid of them. We reached the level we expected, and the result speaks for itself." 

The reporter pressed further: "But Monaco fans have been boycotting you. What do you make of that?" 

Here, Situ Yunbing softened. "I completely understand the feelings of the fans. If I were in their shoes, I'd be frustrated too—an unfamiliar coach and a poor debut don't inspire confidence. But I believe many of them don't know me yet, and that's fine. My job is to work with the team and deliver results. I hope that as our performances improve, the fans will return to the stadium. It doesn't matter if they don't support me personally, but the players deserve their applause and the team needs their backing." 

His humility was evident, a necessity given the rocky start to his tenure. 

But the next question made Situ Yunbing's smile fade. "Before the match, Marseille coach Gerets said hiring you was a joke. Some of the players you sent to the reserves expressed similar opinions. What's your response to that?" 

Situ Yunbing's demeanor grew cold as he shook his head slightly. "If the players perform well and we still lose, they have the right to question the coach. But clearly, some players at Monaco were simply avoiding responsibility. Their words and actions prove that they don't deserve to play for this team. We didn't have those players in our lineup today, and what did we see? A team that showed discipline, determination, and quality from start to finish—and we won. As for Gerets, I don't know what qualifications he has to criticize Monaco. Maybe he thinks his experience grants him that right, but if I were him—coaching for over 15 years without winning any major trophies—I wouldn't be so complacent. I would focus on trying to win something instead of making bold statements. There's only one difference between us: he coaches Marseille, I coach Monaco. Both of us have blank honors in our coaching records. I won't judge him, but he seems all too eager to judge me. This match was a reminder of what it means to be humbled." 

The reporter was visibly surprised by Situ Yunbing's sharp words. His blunt response was sure to stir tensions, possibly sparking conflict between the two clubs, but for the journalists present, it was the kind of quote they craved. 

Situ Yunbing wasn't looking to grandstand, but Gerets' comments had crossed a line. Situ had to defend himself—and the club. Monaco, under his management, would not be a punching bag for casual criticism, whether on the pitch or in the media. 

With that, Situ Yunbing turned and left, returning to the locker room. There, he found his players celebrating enthusiastically. Laughter and cheers filled the room, with some players singing together while others danced. It was a scene of pure joy and release. 

Situ Yunbing understood the moment. The players had been under immense pressure for weeks, and this win gave them a chance to let loose. The coaches in the room turned to look at Situ, and he could sense their eyes had changed. Their smiles reflected a newfound respect and a deeper recognition of his leadership. 

... 

In the Office of the Chairman within the Executive Building of AS Monaco, Chairman De Bontin sat on the plush leather sofa, cradling a glass of red wine that had nearly reached its end. The bottle on the coffee table was already drained, and the flickering wall-mounted TV was replaying the highlights of the evening's match. De Bontin, lost in thought, lit a cigar, taking in a slow, deliberate puff before releasing a thick cloud of smoke. He wasn't quite sure what he was feeling at that moment—relief, disbelief, or perhaps both. 

He had just finished a call with Prince Albert, the Prince of Monaco, during which he lied, claiming he had watched the game from home. The truth was, he couldn't bring himself to watch the match there, too anxious about the outcome. Instead, he had retreated to the office, fearing yet another defeat would sour his mood and burden his household. 

On the phone, both the chairman and the prince, who represented the Monaco royal family on the board, had spent a good twenty minutes discussing the win, their excitement palpable. This was a victory that had felt almost impossible given the circumstances, and the shared joy between the two was clear. 

But De Bontin knew how close it had come to disaster. Deep down, he had already prepared for another loss. He had even decided that, should Monaco falter again, Situ Yunbing would be fired the next morning, no questions asked. Whether they could find a replacement in time didn't matter anymore. He would have settled for appointing the inexperienced Petit as interim coach if only to distance the club from the mounting failures under Situ Yunbing. 

Yet fate had other plans. Against all odds, Monaco had pulled off a thrilling victory. 

As the game unfolded, De Bontin had sat in stunned silence, watching the Monaco players exhibit a newfound sense of tactical clarity and resilience. Their cohesion, their fight—it was as if an entirely different team had emerged. And for the first time, De Bontin saw glimpses of the "new Monaco" that Situ Yunbing had promised when he took the job. 

De Bontin took another long drag from his cigar, allowing the smoke to linger in the air as he replayed the pivotal moments of the match in his mind. This was no fluke victory. The players had fought tooth and nail, and their strategy had been clear and effective. It was a performance that would silence many doubters—perhaps even himself. 

He stubbed out the cigar after only finishing a quarter of it, feeling the weight of the evening's events lift slightly. With a final sip of wine, he got to his feet, grabbed his jacket, and prepared to leave. As he reached for the light switch, a commentator's remark from the game resurfaced in his thoughts, bringing a wry smile to his face. 

"Better late than never." 

He chuckled softly to himself, savoring the unexpected joy that had come with this long-awaited victory. The clouds of doubt around Monaco had lifted, at least for tonight. 

... 

Although Monaco fans had boycotted Situ Yunbing and refused to attend the match at the stadium, that didn't mean they abandoned their support entirely. Many had gathered at home with friends or filled local bars to watch the game. By the end of the night, their earlier disappointment had been swept away, replaced by cheers and excitement as the team secured a much-needed victory. 

For some, it wasn't just the goals that brought joy but also Situ Yunbing's strong response to Gerets' pre-match remarks. His defiant words during the post-match interview resonated with Monaco fans, and many applauded his bravery. Whether the fans would return to the stadium for the next game remained uncertain, but at the very least, they could bask in the satisfaction of their team's triumphant 3-1 win over Marseille. 

Monaco's players and coaching staff arrived back from Marseille late into the night. As the team bus stopped at Cap-d'Ail, Situ Yunbing stepped off, and to his surprise, the players and coaches still on the bus took the initiative to say goodbye to him, their tone warm and appreciative. 

It was a small gesture, but to Situ, it felt monumental. Just weeks ago, he had been ignored, treated as an outsider, but now, the attitudes around him had shifted. He knew he had earned their respect through relentless hard work and by guiding the team to a victory no one expected. As he stood on the sidewalk, the emotion of the moment almost brought tears to his eyes. The journey had been difficult, but finally, he was seeing the rewards of his dedication. 

It was well past midnight, and Cap-d'Ail was quiet, its streets nearly deserted. The entertainment venues had long since closed, and most hotel apartments had their lights off—people were fast asleep. Situ Yunbing walked along the sidewalk toward his modest bachelor apartment, the cold sea breeze occasionally sweeping through the streets. Despite the chill, he felt a fire within, his body brimming with energy. The victory had invigorated him, and no gust of wind could extinguish the warmth he felt. 

The past week had been a whirlwind. Situ had barely been home, only returning to change clothes before rushing back to the club, often sleeping on the office sofa or even the floor. Now, as he finally lay down in his own bed, the simple comfort of the familiar mattress brought a smile to his face. He stared up at the ceiling, feeling a sense of accomplishment that had been elusive since his arrival at Monaco. 

Reaching over, Situ Yunbing grabbed his tablet from his bag. He couldn't resist checking the virtual system—the mysterious tool that had given him the ability to launch his coaching career, even though it came with a dark and dangerous catch. The system held incredible power, but the cost was steep: if he failed to meet its goals, the consequences could be fatal. 

Opening the game interface, his heart raced as a notification popped up: 

"Congratulations! Monaco defeated Marseille 3-1 away in the 6th round of Ligue 1. You may now draw 3 cards!" 

Situ chuckled to himself. "Win a game, get three cards! Not a bad deal." 

He remembered how much of an impact these cards had on his tactics. Meriem's two-goal, one-assist performance had been a game-changer, and while Monaco's tactical discipline was certainly a factor, Meriem's individual brilliance had been crucial to their success. 

Rubbing his hands together, Situ prepared to draw the cards. He knew that the pool for this draw consisted of players from last season's Ligue 1 best teams. The thought thrilled him, but he also feared pulling three goalkeepers—it was a possibility that made him anxious. 

With careful consideration, he selected and drew the first card. The screen flashed, and Situ Yunbing grinned. 

Karim Benzema! The talented young striker from Lyon and one of Europe's most promising forwards. Situ almost couldn't believe his luck. 

Feeling emboldened, he moved on to the second card. When it appeared, his excitement grew. 

Wendel Geraldo Maurício e Silva, the skilled winger from Bordeaux. Though Situ wasn't entirely familiar with Wendel, he knew Bordeaux had been strong last season, and adding a versatile left-winger would only strengthen his options. 

Finally, he drew the third card, which revealed Sébastien Puygrenier, a central defender from Nancy. While this last card didn't spark the same excitement as the others, Situ Yunbing knew that bolstering his defense with a capable center-back was never a bad thing. 

Satisfied with his haul, Situ Yunbing put away his tablet and allowed himself to relax. Tomorrow, he would begin planning for the next challenge—an even tougher opponent, Paris Saint-Germain. With that thought lingering, he drifted off to sleep, ready to recharge for the battle ahead. 

... 

... 

When Situ Yunbing woke up the next morning, he felt refreshed and full of energy. After a quick bath, he changed into clean sportswear and set out, walking along the beautiful eastern coast of France towards Monaco. The sun bathed the shimmering sea in golden light, and the clear blue sky gave the day a refreshing sense of renewal. 

As he crossed into the territory of Monaco, however, Situ's steps grew cautious. He still wasn't sure how the locals would react to him. The memory of the fans who had boycotted and resisted him lingered in his mind. Would they greet him with disdain? Would they ignore him altogether? 

Yet, as he walked through the lively streets, to his surprise, no one made any negative comments. Instead, a few passers-by suddenly called out to him with unexpected praise. 

"Good job!" someone said with a smile as they walked by. 

At first, Situ Yunbing was startled. He instinctively moved aside, unsure if he had heard correctly. But as more people acknowledged him with nods or brief compliments, the reality began to sink in. They were actually cheering for him. Situ tried his best to suppress the grin that threatened to break across his face, unwilling to let his excitement show too much. 

Without responding directly to the praise, Situ quickened his pace and made his way to the Monaco club. 

As luck would have it, just as he arrived, De Bontin emerged from the parking lot. The chairman spotted Situ and greeted him warmly. 

"Good morning, Situ. Great job in Marseille yesterday!" 

The simple greeting carried a warmth that wasn't there before. Situ could feel a tangible shift in De Bontin's attitude toward him. It was clear that the victory over Marseille had improved the chairman's view of him. 

Situ Yunbing, however, remained grounded. The shadow of the upcoming five league trial games still loomed large, and he knew better than to get ahead of himself. He nodded and replied, "The team will keep getting better, trust me." 

De Bontin smiled and, satisfied with the exchange, headed toward the administration building. 

Situ made his way to the club's restaurant for a quick breakfast. After eating, he returned to his office to browse through the day's media coverage of the Ligue 1 matches. Unsurprisingly, the most talked-about game of the sixth round was Monaco's stunning 3-1 victory over Marseille at the Velodrome. 

But instead of focusing on his tactical brilliance or Monaco's resurgence, the French media had turned its attention to criticizing Gerets, the Marseille coach. At first, Situ Yunbing felt a little uneasy—he had expected some recognition for his efforts—but after reading the more professional analyses in "France Football", he realized that much of the blame for Marseille's loss did indeed fall on Gerets. 

The general consensus was that Marseille had underestimated their opponents, a costly error that led to Monaco's triumph. Having just played a draining midweek Champions League match against Liverpool, Marseille assumed they could easily overpower a Monaco side that had appeared to be in disarray. Instead, their overconfidence backfired, and they were punished for it. 

Monaco, with their backs against the wall, had risen to the occasion, while Marseille had faltered. 

There was a knock on the door. Situ Yunbing called out, "Come in," and saw Alonzo's familiar face appear with a wide smile, carrying a takeaway cup in hand. 

"I bet you didn't sleep last night, right? This is the best coffee in Nice," Alonzo said with a grin, walking in casually. 

Situ Yunbing hadn't expected him to bring coffee. With a chuckle, he replied, "I actually slept well, but I'd love to try the best coffee in Nice." 

He took a sip and savored the taste, nodding in approval. "Not bad at all." 

Alonzo scratched his head and laughed. "I didn't sleep well. I figured you might be the same after such an exciting game. I was buzzing until two in the morning." 

Situ Yunbing smiled, but his focus quickly shifted. "That's behind us now. By the way, do you know much about Sébastien Puygrenier?" he asked, recalling the third card he had drawn before bed. 

Alonzo responded immediately, "Of course! He was one of the best defenders in Ligue 1 last season. He played for Nancy but moved to Zenit St. Petersburg over the summer. Nancy's defense took a big hit when he left. I actually wrote about it in my report." 

Situ Yunbing nodded thoughtfully. He hadn't fully read through Alonzo's earlier report, given how much had been on his plate. Reports were often outdated within a week in football, as the situation evolved so rapidly. 

Later, during team training, Situ Yunbing and Alonzo conducted a post-match review, pulling up video footage of the Marseille game. Watching video was a very different experience from seeing the match live. The video focused on the football's trajectory, missing much of the off-the-ball movement, positional play, and the overall tactical compactness. From the sidelines, Situ had been able to see these nuances clearly—things like player spacing, defensive formation, and the intricate battles within the team's structure. The review helped him identify areas for improvement. 

When Situ Yunbing and Alonzo arrived at the training ground, the coaches and players were already present. Situ turned to Alonzo and asked quietly, "What time is it?" 

Alonzo checked his watch. "We're on time," he confirmed. 

Situ Yunbing felt a wave of relief. As a coach, punctuality was crucial. Being late would have been unprofessional and undermined the dedication he was trying to instill in the team. 

He glanced around, noting the positive energy radiating from the players. Those who had played the previous night's match were clearly tired, but their morale was high. 

Petit was tasked with running the recovery training, a standard program for players after a physically demanding game. Situ Yunbing supervised from the sidelines, exchanging thoughts with the other coaches about the match and focusing on how they could build on the momentum. 

The morning session flew by, and as the players headed toward the restaurant for lunch, Nimani jogged up to Situ and called out, "Hey, boss, can I start the next game too?" 

Situ paused for a moment, slightly taken aback by being addressed as "boss." A surge of pride filled him—he had finally earned his place as the team's leader, no longer just a coach in name. 

"That depends on how you perform in training!" he replied with a grin. "I have high expectations for you, so don't let me down." 

Nimani, inspired by the encouragement, confidently responded, "I won't let you down!" 

Situ Yunbing felt the shift in the team's dynamics. Players were starting to come to him on their own, and he made sure to reciprocate, offering constructive feedback and guidance during their breaks. The atmosphere within the squad was slowly transforming. 

In football, things could be very simple. One victory could change a team's mood, two victories could change their outlook, and three victories could transform their belief system entirely. 

Situ Yunbing knew that to truly unite the team and secure his position as Monaco's head coach, he had to keep winning. The momentum had to continue. 

That brought him to his next big challenge: the French League Cup match in midweek, where Monaco would face Paris Saint-Germain at home. 

France had two domestic cups, much like England: the League Cup and the National Cup. These competitions were often used by top-tier clubs to give second-team players opportunities to develop and gain match experience. Only when teams reached the quarterfinals or semifinals did clubs usually start focusing on the trophy. The cup wasn't generally a measure of a coach's success, especially for teams battling in the league or balancing European competition. 

But for Situ Yunbing, this League Cup match was more than just a formality. 

There were two key reasons he couldn't afford to take it lightly. First, this was only his third match as Monaco's coach. Having lost his home debut, he couldn't risk another home defeat, especially with Monaco's fans still boycotting him. Winning at home was critical. 

The second reason was more personal. Monaco had already faced Paris Saint-Germain this season, in the opening match of the league. Monaco had won that game 1-0, with the previous coach, Ricardo Gomes, at the helm. Despite Gomes' poor record afterward, he had managed to defeat PSG, and Situ knew that if he lost this upcoming match, it would invite direct comparisons. Critics would pounce on the opportunity to suggest that Situ Yunbing wasn't as capable as his predecessor. 

Worse still, those players who had been demoted to the reserves would surely use the loss as ammunition against him, fueling their claims that they were more valuable to the team than he was. 

For those reasons, Situ Yunbing placed immense importance on the League Cup. It wasn't just about advancing—it was about showing that his team could beat PSG again, proving his worth as the coach, and continuing the upward momentum.