Round

In the training ground at Castilla Union FC, a group of twelve years old, wearing the bibs of red and yellow seem to engage in a practice match. A man wearing a black bib run along with them, occassionally stopping the play with the aid of a whistle that he fimly held in his hand. In the small technical area across the pitch stood a round man holding a sheet reports on his hand. Sometime, he would look at the pitch and note it down on his reports. Beside him, a grey haired man with a suit and polished shoes watch the match unfold in the pitch with an interested face.

" Is there someone who catch your interest Señor Presidente?". The round man asked, noticing the grey haired man beside him seems to enjoy the match.

As if he did not heard the round man question, the grey haired man who already so engrossed in the match cried fouled language when he sees the player from the Red team tackled a player from the Yellow team. After some scolding he spew at the Red team's player he answered the round man question.

" The match is really exiting. I really see it from their performance there are some really good seeds coming up but it is still not satisfactory. You should up their technical training more". As if to prove the chairman demand, a Yellow team's player seems to be unsuccessful taming the speeding ball with his foot.

" We have already covered that Señor but as you know, I and Martin have our own specialisation in the training. We are not capable enough teaching more advance tecnhics. We need a technical coach if you want to do that Señor". The round man grimace, afraid that the grey haired man will not like his answer.

" I know Joel. But you should also know that we are a small club. Our budget is limited. We can not afford to hire a new coach at the moment. Forget about it then." The Chairman replied with an apolizing face as if he is ashamed bringing that subject.

" How about this Señor, I know of our former academy player who has a good technical ability but he does not have the coaching badge." he proposed with some hope in his voice. " But he might not be interested". He continued.

"Hmm, who is it? " The Chairman asked while his attention still on the progressing match.

" William Salvatore." Joel replied with hint of smile on his face.

" Salvatore?" The chairman asked seeming confused.

" Is he not limping? How can he coach the players if he is like that?" He continued looking at Joel incredulously.

" He still has one good foot in him Señor. You have not seen him play with that foot but I have. His talent is still there. It would be a waste if we don't use that talent."

The chairman rubbed his chin in deep contemplation. After a few moment, he sigh and throw away his attention to the progressing match on the pitch.

" How do we pay him then?" He countered, slightly rising his voice. " Did I not told you we don't have the fund to hire the new coach?".

" Don't worry about it Señor. I would cover it with my own wage. Beside I'm starting to get old. It's time for me to retire and begin to search my successor. Of course if you agree with that Señor?!". Joel asked. The chairman studied him, searching his face. It is not the first time the man beside him proposing his retirement. Everytime he talk about his retirement, the chairman would decline it, saying it is to soon for him to retire. Since then everytime they talked, sometimes Joel would bring his retirement subject in their discussion. Everytime, the chairman would refuse him with differents reasons. That is until now.

" Why are you always talk about your retirement? You are still young! Even younger than me!" The chairman asked Joel, his face frowned.

Joel considered the chairman question. If he did not give the chairman a good reason, he is afraid that the chairman will reject his proposal once more, as always.

"To be honest Señor, I want to spend my time with my grandkids. They grow up so fast without me noticing it. When their mom was at their age, I did not spent much time with her and when she grow up,I did not even know much about her. Heck I know more about my players than her. I do not want to repeat that Señor. I hope you will consider about my proposal this time Señor!". Joel said with an earnest voice.

The chairman rubbed his chin, sometime nodding and sometime shaking his head. After much time later, he nod and turn his attention to Joel once more. " Do you want to make William your successor then?". The chairman asked, his voice neutral.

Joel nod at the question. His face in resoluteness. His mind is up and no one can't change it. Be it is his retirement proposal or his successor, he has already decided it long ago. After watching William still playing football with a group of kids and sometimes a group of adults, its pain Joel to see the wasted life of William. He was once a promising player but because of an accident, his life is ruined. He want to help William even if he will refuse his help.

The chairman nod his head seeing his resolve. " Okay then, if that what you want. You can bring William tomorrow at the training if you can convince him to accept the job." The chairman decided, he sighed with resignation.

" I will bring him here tomorrow. Thank you for aggreing with my proposal Señor!" Joel said feeling relieved. The chairman just wave his hand to him while returning his attention to the progressing match at the green pitch.