Mr Henri Perrault

Henri Perrault was silent as he absorbed the reality that was presented to him. But the chairman should have seen it coming, playing in a league that they had no credentials to compete in. The promotion was unexpected, but he wished that Le Havre could at least put out a decent fight against the impending relegation that was coming their way. He knows better than anyone how those players, those men that adorned the sky and navy blue shirts have done the impossible by securing promotion to Ligue 1. But that would be the limit to their ability, their squad is poor compared to their rivals. Le Havre lacked quality in every area of the pitch, every player is inferior to their opponents.

Perrault was the chairman, he had been the proud owner of Le Havre for years onwards. Le Havre is a club for the fans, a club by the fans, a proud establishment that gives teenagers living in the northern suburbs of France a chance in professional football. But this wish had placed a heavy burden on Perrault as he eyed the score: 2–0.

At this rate, relegation is inevitable. Bottom at Ligue 1 halfway through the season with no hope in sight. Perrault knew relegation was inevitable, the finances weren't right, and the squad weren't right. Everything that could have gone right went wrong. The chairman only had a humble request, he asked Nobilo to "fight bravely against relegation" but this... this wasn't fighting bravely at all.

They were rock bottom in the league, with a mountain of points separating them and 19th place. They had another game coming up. Another game that could cost the owner, the chairman, his entire fortune. At that moment, his heart sank. Another loss would definitely spell the end for his club, not financially, but emotionally.

Le Havre was going to drop into the second division. Perhaps for good.

Perrault didn't need to look further from the pitch as he looked down at the away stands, where he found a sea of blue and white. Le Havre fans showing support for their beloved club. Yet, it was clear those fans were minuscule, small and insignificant compared to the Saint-Etienne supporters. They weren't supporting the club, but banners were held, not supportive ones, but messages. The fans held banners and posters of a protest of sorts. He could read those messages even if he were sitting so far away, high up in the private suites where esteemed guests were stationed.

'Nobilo Out!'

'Gone with Perrault'

'Relegation, help us!'

Those messages had a sting to them as Perrault read those words silently. He understood the fan's rage, he was a supporter himself, and he shared in their pain. But he was the chairman, he had the power to do things as he wished, yet he felt conflicted to act. Relegation was always inevitable, but does that warrant doing the impossible? Firing Nobilo?

The chairman had butterflies in his stomach as he considered this thought. Nobilo got them a promotion, and that manager secured promotion from Ligue 2 to Ligue 1, but would firing him be the right choice? Nobilo secured Le Havre's promotion. If this club gets relegated, can't Nobilo just do it again, getting promoted once more from Ligue 2?

The chairman sank deeper, but what if Nobilo can't do a miracle twice? At this rate, Le Havre would be relegated. If Nobilo continues as first-team manager, Le Havre would get relegated no matter what. Perrault doubted himself, but he knew it was his time to act, he must do something to defy fate.

If Nobilo stays, Le Havre goes down 100%. If someone else takes the role of first-team manager, perhaps..... just perhaps, they will be able to avoid relegation.

Perrault shook the old man's hand as a formality, it was favourable to be on the good sides of all these footballing people. Especially the chairman of another club. Yet even as he shook the old man's hand, it was clear Henri Perrault's focus was anywhere but leaving a favourable impression of himself to another esteemed football club owner.

...

The way home had a silence that echoed his failure, Perrault's failure. In the luxury sedan, the man sat as he viewed the skyline flashing by, unable to take his eyes off the bustling lights of Paris. He forced his gaze off of the lights, but the silence was so loud.

The chairman found himself adrift in his thoughts, wondering how on earth his chairman managed to go against his wishes and get this promotion.

He felt lost, alone, unsure of himself, unsure of Nobilo. The chairman was ashamed of the way he dealt with the situation. He never got to have his say, and never was allowed the opportunity to defend himself and point out the failures of his club. Perrault stared out of the window, finding his vision blurring, clouding over. He shook his head. Don't think of that anymore, you are the chairman of this club and the driver, he is the driver. He'll do what he pleases, what's done is done.

The chairman's thoughts finally calmed, and he felt the luxury sedan once again carrying him home, leaving the events of his trip behind him. He looked around and gasped, his mind lost as he stared out the window, focusing on a home that wasn't his, a home that no longer had his name on it.

The glass doors of the private villa opened as the car pulled up into the garage of the mansion. Perrault got out, leaving his driver alone in the car. He walked slowly, slightly stiff as his wounds from the wound festered inside of him. Perrault walked into the house, stepping over the rose bush in the middle of the floor. He felt small as he walked inside, he always felt small when he was back in his home. He felt small and useless, a failure who had screwed up and caused another club to fail.

He made his way into the main entrance, but he could hear the footsteps of his secretary calling his name. He turned around and groaned at the sight of his secretary.

"Come in sir," his secretary, called again, Perrault could see his secretary waving his hand in the air as if to say, hurry up. Perrault scowled at the secretary, knowing there was nothing he could do to evade his secretary.

"Here's the proposal," the secretary said, holding up a piece of paper.

Perrault took the proposal and the look on his face changed from annoyance to distaste. He ran his hand through his hair, before eventually reading over the document.

Vocally, he insists he didn't know what to do. But in his heart, he knew what must be done. It was the only answer that could have the merit to save his football club. ~~His chairman's work begins here~~

"Mr Perrault?" a voice inquired. There was a rare charm to the voice as he listened in. His assistant was always a sweetheart.

"You up to date with the result? Our match that concluded moments ago?"

"Of course Mr Chairman."

There was a pause between the two people as both were awaiting the other to speak first, but Perrault broke the silence first.

"Find some potential replacements, I want a list of names by my desk tomorrow morning,"

The assistant was silent. She roughly expected from how the conversation was progressing that the chairman might act rashly, but she still couldn't believe that Perrault is firing their club's saviour, the man that got them promoted. She was speechless, but what power does she have? She was nothing more than a servant.

Just as she was about to reply, she was abruptly cut off by Perrault.

"And I want Nobilo out... tonight."

The assistant was flustered. Wasn't this too sudden?

"But Mr Chairman! That's too soon!"

"I don't care."

The assistant was silent once again. Her eyes held no response, and her mouth remained open, but no sound was produced from her tongue.

"We — We can't get a replacement that soon. We have another game only a few days from now on, I don't think we can get another manager in time for our next game!"

Perrault was now questioning the merits of their current coach. He doesn't see a future at the club any longer, he is only interested in a cheap hocus pocus of a business deal.

"Mr Chairman, can't we — Look...can't you just keep Nobilo as manager?"

Perrault chuckled. "I think I already found a replacement."

Silence.

"His name is Marley. He worked at our U-19 Team, remember?"

"Ah yes, how could I forget! Last year was a moment of glory, as not only did the first team secure the Ligue 2 trophy, but our U-19 team also secured the youth cup. How can I forget? I was overjoyed when I saw 2 more shiny trophies in our cabinet!"

Lula was a bit slow, her words stopped as she realised what Mr Chairman wants to do. "But, Marley never had experience managing first-team players, he had always been in our youth system. Would he be the right choice?"

"Interim manager. Marley can take over the role of first-team coach whilst we get a replacement in."

Silence.

"Mr Chairman... can't I ask for some more time?"

"No. Tomorrow, I want Marley to come to me, he has to come."

"But Mr Chairman... the game is only a week away... Can't he —"

"I don't care. Le Havre must be in Ligue 1 next season."

The assistant shut her mouth. She had failed. All she could do now is wait for the chairman to make his next move.

This is just the first step, the next will be the crucial point in this betrayal. The chairman is now searching for the perfect person to fill the shoes of Nobilo. He knows that he is the only man in the football world that can perform what Nobilo did. That man is Marley.

Perrault is desperate. Nobilo was his friend and he worked under him for two years. Nobilo is good. If Marley is half as good as Nobilo was, then this is the man Perrault needs.