Chapter 40: Manchester City CEO

David's comments on Villa's potential transfer to Middlesbrough had a lasting impact on the media. In his interview, he made his stance clear: "Villa is a Notts County player, and no Premier League team can simply take him away. £2 million may seem like a lot, but we're not interested." He also praised Villa for having a well-thought-out career plan, suggesting that staying with Notts County would be a smarter choice than joining a struggling Premier League team like Middlesbrough.

David didn't hold back in his critique of Middlesbrough and manager Steve McLaren, remarking, "If I were a Middlesbrough fan, I'd question why McLaren is still in charge given the team's disastrous results." His blunt words quickly turned Middlesbrough into the laughing stock of the Premier League, especially considering their poor form and humiliating defeats.

With Villa's transfer saga finally cooling down, Notts County focused on their strong performance in the Premier League. Under Loew's leadership, they easily defeated Villeport in the seventh round, extending their winning streak to five matches and securing second place in the standings.

David, however, had to travel to the United States to attend to stock market matters. His absence meant missing two key league matches against Blackpool and Wigan Athletic. On the flight to the U.S., David's attention was drawn to a middle-aged man seated next to him. Although he couldn't place him at first, David soon recognized the man as Ferran Soriano, the former CEO of Manchester City.

David knew Soriano well from his previous life as a key figure in Barcelona's rise to prominence, particularly during his time as vice chairman in charge of finances. Soriano had helped lead the team to success both on and off the field, making him an ideal candidate for a position at Notts County. The thought crossed David's mind: Could Soriano help propel Notts County forward?

To test the waters, David casually mentioned the Champions League, noting that Real Madrid's success last season was largely down to luck. This remark caught Soriano's attention, and the two began a lively conversation about football. Soriano, a lifelong Barcelona fan, defended his team's chances for the upcoming season despite Real Madrid's dominance.

David seized the opportunity to gauge Soriano's interest. "My team is looking for a CEO, if you're interested," David said, with a hint of mischief in his voice. Soriano, slightly taken aback, asked, "Your team?"

David smiled, revealing, "Yes, I'm the chairman of Notts County. Although we're not yet in the Premier League, I believe in two years, we'll be among the top teams in England."

Soriano was taken aback by David's boldness, but David's confidence in Notts County's future made it clear that he wasn't offering just any position. It was an invitation to help build something significant. As the conversation continued, David could sense that Soriano's curiosity was piqued, and the possibility of him joining Notts County began to feel more real.

David's conversation with Soriano marked the beginning of a potential game-changing partnership. Whether Soriano would take the offer remained uncertain, but David knew that with the right leadership, Notts County could soon rise to the top of English football.