Beneath the Sun and Waves

The azure sea shimmered under the silvery light, waves rolling gently against the shore.

On a secluded beach of an island in eastern Australia, Aldrich lounged half-reclined, wearing nothing but swim trunks. One hand softly caressed the smooth back of Yvonne, who lay beside him in a sleek black bikini.

The island was deserted except for the two of them.

As he gazed at the setting sun seemingly sinking into the ocean, Aldrich felt the beauty of the scene dissolve time itself.

It had been half a month since the Champions League final in 2000. After the monumental victory, Aldrich had been catapulted onto a pedestal, worshiped as a deity in England. Any topic remotely connected to him became an instant sensation. Magazines and tabloids featuring his photo flew off shelves, while interview requests flooded in. Even Time magazine had extended an invitation to feature him on its cover.

At just 24, this legendary young coach had accomplished in six years what others couldn't achieve in a lifetime.

But after the final, he had only briefly spoken to the press, dismissing the frenzy with a simple statement: "For now, I just want to escape the noise and enjoy some peace."

He needed rest, a moment to pause and savor life. Above all, he sought balance between his career and personal life.

Leaving the jubilant team to revel in their glory and dominate the headlines, Aldrich quietly slipped away. That evening, he strolled hand-in-hand with Yvonne down the Champs-Élysées, soaking in the enchanting romance of Paris.

That night, they shared unrestrained passion in their hotel suite.

To his surprise, Yvonne, at 23, revealed that she had never been with anyone before. Far from shy, she spoke with pride: "I saved myself for you."

To Aldrich, those words struck deeper than any grand declaration of eternal love.

Day by day, year after year, Aldrich realized that Yvonne could give him everything he desired. And that was enough.

The island was his, a private property for at least the next 60 years.

Half a year ago, he had entrusted Andrew to purchase this Australian government-listed island. Surprisingly affordable, the cost, including a luxurious villa, was less than buying an estate in London.

However, the true expense lay in developing and maintaining the island. Water, electricity, internet, a dock or airport, roads, and food supplies—all were responsibilities of the owner. Yet Aldrich relished the process. Over the past six months, the island had transformed into a serene haven, complete with a small airport, lush gardens, and pristine landscapes.

It was peaceful yet striking, with natural beauty that rejuvenated the soul.

"How long have I been asleep?"

Yvonne stirred, stretching lazily as she rubbed her drowsy eyes. Leaning over, she kissed Aldrich lightly and smiled.

"About three hours. Hungry?"

"A bit. Let's head back—I'll make you some lobster."

"Sounds good. You go ahead; I feel like swimming for a while."

"No way..."

"Relax. I won't swim too far. I'm not planning to die—especially not by drowning when I'm supposed to be a good swimmer."

"Haha, it's always the swimmers who drown. Be back in an hour!"

Aldrich helped her to her feet. They shared a lingering kiss on the beach before parting. As Yvonne walked back, Aldrich donned his goggles and swapped into swim trunks. Facing the waves, he dove into the water.

The crystal-clear sea here was perfect for swimming and diving, offering views of vibrant coral reefs and schools of fish darting beneath the surface.

Swimming alone, Aldrich's mind inevitably wandered.

As he had told The Lions' fans during their championship celebrations years ago: "Millwall is a part of my life."

Six years later, this truth remained unchanged. Even on vacation, Millwall consumed most of his thoughts. It had become second nature.

Though he was relaxing here, the club faced a whirlwind of activity. The first team was preparing to move into the new stadium, while the Den field underwent minor renovations.

At the heart of the club's agenda was one critical task: player contract renewals.

Aldrich was very generous. For the group of players coveted by all the top clubs in European football, he offered them a significant pay raise.

For the three veteran stalwarts—Southgate, Nedvěd, and Larsson—a Premier League top salary contract worth £70,000 per week was on the table. With loyalty bonuses included, their annual salaries would approach £100,000!

In other words, just for these three players, the club would be spending nearly £15 million a year on wages!

When people talked about Millwall's transformation into a top club, Aldrich had to show the strength and confidence of a top club.

The renewal contracts for other players also saw considerable increases.

The club was also expecting more sponsorship income this summer, and with the new stadium driving revenue growth, Millwall's financial outlook for the new season remained very optimistic. The main reason they could still make money was that their investment in buying players was relatively small. While other top clubs might spend £20 million on a single player, Millwall's total spending on signings over the past two years, or even longer, might not even reach that amount.

Against this backdrop, Millwall announced the transfers of two players in early June.

The first was the already well-known van der Meyde, who was transferred to Inter Milan for £15 million.

The second was Makélélé, transferred to Real Madrid for £28 million.

Makélélé's departure had been anticipated by the club since the previous year.

When he signed his new contract in the summer of '98, Makélélé's agent had informed Millwall that this would be his final contract with the club.

After the semifinal clash with Real Madrid, Makélélé's agent started talks with them.

Aldrich only made a simple phone call to inquire about Makélélé after the season ended. It was a straightforward question.

"Do you really not want to play for Millwall anymore?"

Makélélé's answer was just as simple.

"I've achieved everything here, now I want a new challenge."

Aldrich didn't ask any further questions about what Makélélé was looking for.

Transfers always involve a variety of complex factors. Competitive factors are important, but not the only ones.

In the journey to create greatness and reach the top, some players are content, some become complacent, and some give up. Whatever the reason, if someone wants to leave, there are always plenty of reasons to go.

Perhaps Millwall's jersey wasn't as prestigious as Real Madrid's.

Perhaps the life in southwest London wasn't as glamorous as the surroundings of Madrid.

Perhaps Makélélé had grown tired of London's endless rain and longed for the sunshine and spring-like weather in Spain.

Or perhaps Makélélé wanted to go to Real Madrid to take on the challenge he spoke of.

Unless you've been to Real Madrid, unless you've been to the Bernabéu, you can't truly understand the awe-inspiring atmosphere of that magnificent stadium. You can't fully grasp the emotional pull behind its grandeur. That's why many players dream of playing for Real Madrid. It's not empty flattery; it's about conquering the most luxurious stadium, in the most comfortable living environment, in front of the world's most demanding fans. The challenge is real, and that's why many players are eager to make it their dream.

Real Madrid initially offered £20 million. With the presidential election looming in the summer, President Sanz wanted to boost morale and attract votes through a successful transfer market. With this in mind, Millwall boldly demanded £35 million. After a tough negotiation, the deal was concluded at £28 million.

Before the European Championship began, Makélélé had already completed his medical at the Bernabéu. Once the summer transfer window opened, the deal was set to be finalized.

Aldrich's work during the summer depended on the outcome of the club's contract renewals.

In simple terms, he was waiting to see who would leave the team once the holidays were over, so he could strengthen the squad accordingly.

Van der Meyde's departure was somewhat of a surprise, but since he was just a backup, finding a replacement wasn't that difficult.

As for Makélélé leaving, it was something Aldrich had already prepared himself for. Gattuso could take his place, and though there was a difference in their abilities and playing styles, Aldrich felt it was acceptable. In fact, in some ways, it could be seen as a positive development.

History had proven countless times that successful teams eventually become burdened by their own success.

When players have been too successful and made too many contributions to the team, they become adored by fans and the club alike. Sometimes, this affection turns into indulgence and tolerance.

It's not until one day, when people realize that the once-great veteran players have become obstacles to the team's progress, that they accept the reality.

This is another key focus in team building: renewal.

When someone with nothing gains wealth, they lose their drive to create and become lazy. On the field, that translates into players who live off their past achievements.

For Millwall to continue achieving greatness, the rate of renewal must be fast. They can't wait until the towering buildings are on the verge of collapse before taking action. By then, the only solution is familiar: a total rebuild.

Aldrich didn't mind if some players left. When they did, it meant fresh blood for the team—more energy and competition. The ambition of newcomers would push the veterans to work harder, forcing them to stay sharp. This way, the team could keep progressing rather than stagnating, stuck in its ways and overtaken by others.

As long as the starting lineup didn't change by more than three players, Aldrich remained full of ambition for the new season. He had enough young talent to put pressure on the established stars.

After swimming, the sky had already darkened. Aldrich changed into his shorts, walked down a small path through the woods, and hopped into a go-kart. He drove along the forest road back to the house on the island.

Yvonne had prepared a seafood dinner, and she'd even set the mood with a candlelit setting. Aldrich took a quick shower and joined her at the dinner table. They clinked glasses in a toast, then began their cozy, romantic dinner.

"Do you need me to wake you up in the middle of the night?" Yvonne suddenly asked at the end of the meal.

Aldrich smiled and shook his head. "I'm here to relax. I spend over 300 days a year dealing with football. I don't want football disturbing my life right now."

"No, you enjoy it. I'm happy just being with you, even if it's just watching a match."

"No. I'm surrounded by beautiful women, in a place where no one will disturb me. I get to enjoy the beautiful scenery and listen to the sounds of nature. Why would I want to get up in the middle of the night to watch a game? Besides, it has nothing to do with me."

Aldrich said this matter-of-factly.

Yvonne bit her lower lip and stared at Aldrich for a long time, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. Finally, she sighed and said, "Alright, you say whatever you want."

The next morning, Aldrich was still deep in sleep, with Yvonne in his arms. It had been a night that any man would enjoy, the room full of warmth and spring-like energy.

He was awoken by the ringing of his phone.

He picked it up, only to hear Andrew's voice, roaring with frustration.