Gratitude and Goodbyes

Millwall has advanced to the FA Cup final, where they will meet the Reds, Liverpool, at Wembley. 

After the match, Fleet Street continued its adoration for Millwall, praise so thick that Aldrich felt a bit lightheaded from it all. 

With only three days of rest after the game, Millwall was set to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for yet another London derby. 

Aldrich did his best to give the players some time off, allowing the key players to rest for two days before returning for a brief training session the day before the match. 

During this time, he asked Andrew to convey Manchester United's interest in signing Solskjaer, Stam, and Nedved. 

The feedback left Aldrich feeling miserable.

Aside from Nedved, who firmly stated he had no interest in leaving East London, both Stam and Solskjaer said they needed to think about it. 

On the morning before the match, Aldrich supervised the training session. During the lunch break, Stam took the initiative to enter his office. 

The two sat across from each other at the desk, and Stam's opening line left Aldrich feeling uneasy. 

Stam spoke sincerely, expressing his gratitude to Aldrich. 

In his two years in England, he had made rapid progress. After adapting to the pace of English football last season, he had been performing exceptionally well on the defensive line this season. 

As for his previous club? 

Before joining Millwall, he had played for a team in the Eredivisie. While Millwall had risen from the lower leagues to the Premier League, his old club had been relegated from the Dutch top tier. 

Perhaps he thought if he had stayed at his old team, they might not have suffered relegation. But now, looking back at his achievements and improvement, it was clear that he would not have reached this level if he had remained in his old environment. 

His words sounded almost like a farewell proclamation. 

Aldrich didn't want to let him go. 

"Japp, how do you see our team's competitiveness?" 

Stam blurted out, "One of the best teams in England."

Aldrich nodded and said, "But we've only won one League Cup trophy." 

Stam paused for a moment before saying earnestly, "Boss, I understand what you mean and I know you want to keep me here. I truly appreciate it. To be honest, my time at Millwall has been the most important part of my career. You taught me the value of team defending and always gave me confidence. Even when I performed poorly, you never doubted me but patiently helped me through my struggles. I've improved so much here, and I want to repay you and give back to Millwall. I also want to let everyone know that if I leave here, it will be with honor. Boss, if we can't win the league title this season, we will definitely do it next season. So, I'll be leaving as a champion, okay?"

Upon hearing Stam's words, Aldrich found himself unable to object, so he gently nodded in agreement.

What he meant was clear: if Millwall could reach the pinnacle of the Premier League this season, then Stam would leave in the summer. If they failed, they would have another season to try, and he would leave next year. 

In the event that Millwall does not win the Premier League next season, they would likewise forfeit their ability to retain him, as it would be evident that the team has not advanced further.

While stars from the 70s may not have had the chance to become overnight millionaires like those from the 80s and 90s, they exhibit many qualities that are often missing in later generations of players. Stam, for instance, understands the value of being grateful rather than simply burning bridges and being resolute in leaving for a transfer.

Parting amicably seemed best. 

Many people might not understand why Stam would want to leave even if Millwall were champions. 

It's simply because Millwall lacks the legacy of a big club. 

Just a few years ago, Leeds United was the league champion before the Premier League's inception, Blackburn clinched the title last season, and Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa reached the pinnacle of Europe within the last decade. Yet, time has passed, and not many fans see these clubs as particularly noteworthy anymore. 

For a true giant, winning a title or two is not enough to propel an ordinary team into the elite. They need sustained success to build recognition and influence—especially with a broad spectrum of well-known stars; one or two isn't enough. 

Manchester United is different. 

The legacy of the club, along with the spirit instilled by Busby, is more than just titles; it's a determination to rise against adversity. This legacy is not something that can be compared to mere titles. How many famous players have made their mark in Manchester United's history? Even casual fans could rattle off a long list of names. Millwall's historical achievements are too lackluster to instantly transform this grassroots team into something extraordinary just because they won a title. 

Especially this season—Manchester United is still vying for titles despite undergoing a transition. If Millwall has been steadily advancing to this point, Manchester United has clawed its way back from the abyss. 

That champion mentality, that Red Devils spirit, is something Millwall lacks. 

Especially during this final stretch of the title race, Aldrich himself felt somewhat at a loss; he was merely putting on a brave face. As for the players? It seemed like they were in a constant state of heightened tension, always prepared to unleash their fury upon their opponents the moment the referee blew the whistle. 

Is this good? 

No, it clearly shows the immaturity of the team, a lack of balance in their mindset when faced with big moments. 

But Aldrich had never encountered such a problem before. He was familiarizing himself with the situation and exploring ways to cope, eventually realizing that it was simply a matter of practice making perfect, not something that could be solved just by talking. 

Last season, Blackburn also collapsed in the final stretch, while Manchester United missed their chance for a turnaround—this is a problem of mental fortitude, a young team's price to pay. 

After coming to a conclusion with Stam, Aldrich returned home after dinner that night when Solskjaer knocked on his door. 

The baby-faced striker maintained silence at first as the two sat in the living room, their gazes wandering for about five minutes. 

Finally, Aldrich broke the silence, calmly asking, "Ole, you want to go to Manchester United, right?" 

Solskjaer looked down slightly and replied quietly, "Not necessarily, Boss. I've been a substitute for the past two years. I believe I have the ability to play a starting role, whether as a winger or a forward. But it seems you lack confidence in my ability to be a starter." 

Aldrich initiated the conversation but then sank into silence, holding his teacup on the sofa. 

Unlike Vieira, Ballack, Van Nistelrooy, and others who were still under twenty, Solskjaer was already twenty-three. 

Moreover, he had keenly observed Aldrich making changes to the team's tactical system in training over the past month. 

In the future, Millwall would adopt a three-forward formation. 

While this sounds like more forwards, in practice, Larsson would play on the wing, Trezeguet would still be the center forward, and Pires would also be a winger. The former wide midfielder Schneider would be shifted to a fullback role. 

If that were the case, Solskjaer might still fight for a spot. 

But he noticed that Aldrich had high hopes for Shevchenko. 

Coaches, after all, are only human; can they treat all players equally? 

It's practically impossible. 

It's not about personal relationships, but rather it's in the training combinations, team allocations, how much you remind players, and what the coaching staff requires. 

And Shevchenko's improvement over the last six months has been evident, particularly integrating into the tactical system, boosting his physical fitness, and enhancing his individual skills. Aldrich often let Shevchenko play in the second half of the season to adjust to the Premier League's pace, even if just for ten or twenty minutes; the primary goal was to let him take the field without pressure, even if he missed an opportunity or performed poorly—it was simply about adjusting his mindset. 

This led Solskjaer to feel that his ranking among the forwards was slipping. It was only natural for him to hesitate over a transfer to Manchester United. 

In truth, by expressing these thoughts, he was subtly signaling to Aldrich: "Boss, if you give me a starting spot, I won't leave!" 

Aldrich had brought him from Northern Europe to England, essentially taking him from a desert to an oasis—he felt a deep sense of gratitude. But he was already twenty-three; he felt he could no longer wait on the bench for his chance. 

Moreover, if he had to be a substitute, it was better to do so at Old Trafford than sitting on the bench at the Lion's Den, right? 

Aldrich had no secrets about Ferguson's message; it was a sign of respect for the player. Andrew had informed Solskjaer that Ferguson mentioned a starting position. 

Starting at Manchester United versus remaining a substitute at Millwall. 

What's there to compare? 

Was there any need to hesitate? 

Yet Solskjaer hesitated; he still wanted to stay, provided he secured a starting spot. 

After a prolonged period of contemplation, Aldrich raised his head, fixing his gaze on Solskjaer and asked, "Ole, if I agree to let you go to Manchester United, will you hate me?" 

Solskjaer understood the answer; a smile broke out on his baby face as he shook his head, saying, "No, boss. I only feel gratitude and admiration for you. Besides, you're just making the right decision. I don't think I'm necessarily better than Robert, Henrik, or David; they've earned their starting positions justly. But I want to start in every match." 

Aldrich stood up and moved closer, embracing him. He whispered in Solskjaer's ear, "Ole, you're a top player. I've never lied to you. I told you when we first met that you would be one of the best. I don't want to let you go, but I can't let you waste away on the bench. Go to Manchester United, walk into Old Trafford with your head held high, tell everyone your name, and create your own legacy. I will always bless you, and if one day you want to come back, you'll always be welcome." 

Tears streamed down Solskjaer's face as he nodded vigorously, eventually leaving Aldrich's home with misty eyes. As he walked down the dimly lit street, he suddenly turned back to look at Aldrich's house, choking back tears as he said, "Boss, I wish I could stay here forever." 

Aldrich felt a deep sense of loss, sitting on the floor with moist eyes. 

Solskjaer, the super-sub. 

Under Ferguson, he had only played as a starter for four seasons. 

But Aldrich couldn't tell him this, as that would seem self-serving. 

Moreover, if he stayed at Millwall, he might not even secure four seasons as a starter. 

Playing for Manchester United was far more prestigious than merely serving the underdog, and Aldrich didn't believe Solskjaer's decision was wrong. 

In fact, he felt he had let Solskjaer down. 

"Aldrich, why didn't you persuade him to stay? Let him compete with the others. I think he's really good." 

Benitez stood on the stairs, looking somewhat puzzled. 

Aldrich shook his head, having nothing to say. 

Benitez didn't understand the talent pool at Millwall's forward lineup. 

Van Nistelrooy, Toni, Phillips, Ronaldinho, Glenn Shire, Shevchenko, Larsson, Trezeguet, Pires, Villa, Joe Cole.