Chapter 41: Rich

Soriano was still processing the incredible proposition he had just received. The idea that the young man sitting next to him on the plane was the chairman of a professional football club in England seemed almost too improbable. He had heard of Notts County, of course, being the oldest professional club in England, but he never imagined that he would be invited to become its CEO.

"Are you really the chairman of Notts County?" Soriano asked, still incredulous.

David simply shrugged and flashed a confident smile. "If I'm not, then I'm doing a really good job faking it."

The truth of the situation began to dawn on Soriano. The invitation to join Notts County wasn't a joke. David wasn't playing around. He was sincere, and there was something attractive about the opportunity. Notts County was not a Premier League powerhouse—yet—but David's vision and plans were ambitious, and Soriano could see the potential.

"You want to invite me to be the CEO of Notts County? Why?" Soriano asked, his expression still a mix of disbelief and curiosity.

David leaned in slightly, his tone sincere. "It's simple. Notts County doesn't have a CEO yet. Most of the club's work is on my shoulders, and I'm getting a bit tired of juggling everything. After talking with you, I think you'd be a great fit. I need someone to develop the team's business, manage the day-to-day operations, and help me realize the club's vision."

Soriano, who had come from a solid financial background, was cautious. He had a stable job with good prospects in Spain, but football was his true passion. Could he leave his current life behind to join a club in England? It was a huge decision.

"Are you sure you're not kidding?" Soriano asked, still unsure.

David chuckled, shaking his head. "No joke. When we get to the U.S., you can sign the contract and get started right away."

Soriano was taken aback. Despite the lure of football, this wasn't a decision to be made lightly. He had a great job with a bright future at the airline, but football was his true calling. He wanted to be involved in football on a deeper level, and this could be the chance he'd been waiting for.

David didn't rush him, understanding that such a big decision required careful thought. Soriano asked plenty of questions about Notts County, the club's current status, its financial health, and the vision David had for the future. David answered each one candidly, detailing the plans for Notts County's rise, from stadium construction to a stronger presence in the Premier League.

Though Soriano was drawn to the opportunity, he decided to take some time to think it over and discuss it with his family back in Spain. He wanted their input before making such a life-altering decision. David wasn't in a hurry. He understood that making the right choice took time, and he felt confident that Soriano's interest had been piqued.

When the plane landed, Soriano and David parted ways, exchanging contact information. David felt certain that Soriano was already hooked, and the invitation to become CEO of Notts County would soon become a reality. As he boarded the next phase of his journey, David couldn't help but think of the ripple effect his offer might have. Barcelona and Manchester City might be losing one of their most capable leaders, but David was gaining someone who could help propel Notts County to new heights.

Meanwhile, David's focus shifted back to the U.S. stock market, where he was about to make a significant fortune. September 11 had caused turmoil in the market, with the Dow Jones Index plunging by over 14% in the days following the attacks. David had positioned himself well, using high leverage to capitalize on the market's downturn. Within a week, he had amassed nearly £1 billion, a staggering amount of wealth.

For David, it was both exhilarating and surreal. He had always been someone who was content with just enough, but now, with nearly a billion pounds at his disposal, he didn't know what to do with it. Money seemed almost too easy to come by now. But this wasn't just about wealth; it was about creating a legacy for Notts County and ensuring that his vision would be realized.

Back in England, David's plans for Notts County were moving forward. The youth training camp was already underway, and now the next phase of development—the construction of a new stadium and training base—could officially begin. David had grand ideas for a state-of-the-art facility, inspired by the famous St. George's Park in England, but he quickly realized that such extravagance wasn't practical for a club of Notts County's size.

Instead, he decided to create a more modest yet still impressive training base, one that would be admired around the world for its facilities and medical resources but not wasteful in scale. He estimated that it wouldn't cost more than £80 million to build the new training base, a sum that was well within reach given his newfound wealth.

David eagerly awaited Soriano's response. He knew that with the right leadership, Notts County could rise to the top, and Soriano was the key to making that vision a reality. For now, though, David was content to focus on the broader picture, from the team's development to the growth of the club as a whole. The future was bright, and with Soriano in place, it would only get brighter.