Chapter 43: Forced into the Palace
"We didn't perform well today, but my players were very brave and they persevered, which is worth encouraging. Of course I know there will be many people who think that as the defending champion, we only got a draw in the first game. Does it mean failure? This statement is too ridiculous! The Polish team is not as weak as people think. They are actually very strong, with excellent skills and very good players. Although I am a little sorry for this result, It's still acceptable!"
Wilmots talked nonsense at the post-match press conference, but the reporters present were not concerned about these things. All they wanted to know was why Deegan didn't play?
When he heard Deegan's name, Wilmots frowned subconsciously, as if he had eaten something dirty: "How to arrange the lineup is my business. I will only choose the most suitable and in the best condition." Good players come out. Deegan didn't play much in Barcelona in the previous two seasons. His condition cannot be guaranteed at all. Therefore, I chose Lukaku to play. Facts have proved that Lukaku performed very well. Although he didn't score a goal, he played a very positive role in the game!"
Wilmots was still showing off his eloquence, but what he didn't know was that a storm was brewing in the Belgian team's locker room at this moment.
"Is this how you play football?"
In the locker room, all the Belgian players were silent. Only one voice sounded, and that was Deegan. Although he has not been selected for the national team for more than a year, Deegan's prestige cannot be erased by time. In front of him, even if It was Kompany and Fellaini, the captain and deputy captain of Belgium, and even Simmons, a veteran, did not dare to make mistakes.
Deegan said coldly: "If you think you can win the European Cup and defend the Delaunay Cup this way, you are too naive. Mr. Kompany, your defense today is simply shit, Vermaelen Sir, you are worse than shit, and you, Lukaku! Are you trying to be invisible on the court? Of course, Mr. Hazard is also indispensable. What on earth did you do on the court? Fellaini! Are you feeling proud? Yes! You scored a goal, you saved Belgium, but when the Pole passed the cross, what on earth were you doing, you fucking idiot? Shouldn't you be protecting the center, or following Lombards? Are you going to fill in for this big idiot?"
All the players who were named and insulted by Deegan did not dare to refute. They lowered their heads one by one. Everything seemed to be back two years ago. At that time, Deegan was the only king in the Belgian locker room. When he spoke, Even head coach Antiennis could only stand aside and watch.
"I don't know what you are thinking. Maybe after winning the World Cup, you all feel that you have become famous and can start enjoying football!"
Deegan looked at everyone, his cold eyes made people tremble from the bottom of their hearts: "Is football meant for enjoyment? Bastards! Football is war, damn, you have said it countless times, but look at you The performance on the pitch today, you should all go to hell!"
After venting, it was time to solve the problem. Deegan did not want to communicate with Wilmots and then ask for playing time. That was not his character, and the stubborn Wilmots would not be willing to change his rules. Damn tactics, then there is only one way left - to force the palace!
Deegan wants to take over Wilmots and become the leader of the Belgian national team again!
Deegan had no intention of connecting in private. He was the kind of person who would put everything on the table.
Of course, Deegan did not invent something like this. In fact, many people had done this in international competitions before him. However, some succeeded and some failed.
The closest thing to now is the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, when the captain of the Irish team, Roy Keane, admonished McCarthy, the then head coach of Ireland.
Keane was initially very dissatisfied with Ireland's preparations before the start of the World Cup, especially the use of the small island "Saipan" in the Western Pacific as a place for adaptive training before the World Cup. Keane was very disappointed.
At the World Cup in South Korea and Japan, Keane criticized McCarthy's tactics and employment strategy. McCarthy insisted that it was a very wise choice for him to expel Roy Keane, the "black sheep", from the national team. Some opponents This should not be used as a reason to criticize his coaching style.
The relationship between the master and the apprentice once developed to the point of incompatibility because of this incident. Keane even publicly stated to the media during the World Cup: "If McCarthy continues to be the coach of the Irish national team, he will not consider coaching the Irish national team again." Serve your country."
At the same World Cup, there was also an incident where Zahovic led a rebellion and was expelled from the Slovenian team.
However, the successful cases are also classic. In the 1974 World Cup, the West German team played on home soil. As a result, in the first game, they unexpectedly lost to East Germany 0:1 in the group stage. At that time, there was a cry within the team, and even the main team Coach Sean lost confidence.
At this time, Beckenbauer, the then captain of the German team and the future football emperor, immediately held a team meeting to discuss solutions to the crisis, and went on TV to explain the situation to the public in person. Later, he also proposed to head coach Schon Tactical suggestions to adjust the team's lineup, but Shaun, who was completely panicked at the time, hesitated.
As a result, Beckenbauer ignored Schon and personally formulated tactics for the West German team and arranged the lineup. Although his approach also aroused dissatisfaction among some players and coaches, it turned out that Beckenbauer was right. , under the leadership of Beckenbauer, the West German team changed its appearance and reached the final all the way. On July 7, 1974, Vogts froze Cruyff, and Beckenbauer led the team to win the championship. He also became The first captain in history to win the World Cup.
What Deegan wants to do now is to do the same thing as Beckenbauer. When he expressed his thoughts, everyone was shocked. They did not expect Deegan to be so radical.
"Rhode! You~~~~~~~"
Deegan interrupted Kompany: "Vincent! I don't want to listen to your opinion now. I have to do something. Otherwise, everything we worked so hard to build will be completely destroyed. Now it's time It's time for you to make a decision, support me or oppose me!?"
The locker room fell into silence, no one spoke, everyone was looking at each other, and their hearts were in a mess.
"I support you! I've had enough of those damn tactics, we must make changes!" Fellaini was the first to stand up.
Immediately afterwards, Hazard, Van Buyten, Courtois and others also stood up. Kompany watched. When he saw all the players standing up, he also stood up: "Rod! I reserve My opinion, but since everyone agrees, I agree, we are one after all!"
Deegan smiled, then took out his mobile phone, dialed Colesmaike's number directly, and told the story. You can imagine how shocked the boss of Belgian football was.
"Mr. Chairman, I can't explain anything now. This is our mutual decision. We are just informing you that if you refuse, we will strike collectively."
Colesmaike originally wanted to persuade him, but after hearing Deegan's direct threat, he immediately gave up the idea. He knew that Deegan could definitely do this kind of thing. Once a strike occurred in the Belgian team, the entire Belgium is in disgrace.
Colesmichael didn't want this to happen, so all he could do was nod in agreement: "Deegan! Do you really want to do this?"
Deegan said: "Yes! We have to play according to our own ideas!"
At this moment, the door to the locker room was pushed open, and Wilmots, who had finished the press conference, walked in and frowned when he saw Deegan standing in the center of the locker room.
"What are you doing?"
Deegan sneered: "We are discussing the dismissal of this incompetent head coach!"
When Wilmots heard this, his eyes suddenly widened: "What the hell are you talking about? I am the boss here. If you don't want to stay, get out of here!"
Deegan was not angry and directly handed the phone to Wilmots: "Do you want to listen? I think the words of the chairman of the Football Association can calm your stupid brain!"
Wilmots took the phone in surprise. Three minutes later, he was completely stunned. He was still the head coach of Belgium, but from now on, all his rights would be transferred to Deegan.
"Damn! Are you crazy?"
Wilmots wanted to throw the phone down, but Deegan snatched it away, and then piled it on again. Wilmots, who was a little out of control, almost fell down.
"I'm not crazy, you are crazy. Your narrow-mindedness and selfishness will destroy this team. Now I want to save him. I want to lead my brothers to win the Delaunay Cup, and you ,out-of-date!"
Deegan then turned around and looked at his teammates: "From now on, I will take over everything in the Belgian football team. Who is in favor of it and who is against it?"
In the face of Deegan's absolute authority, all the players voted in favor, and Kompany even stood up and handed the captain's armband to Deegan.
Deegan did not refuse and directly reached out to take it: "Since you all have no objections, from now on, everyone must listen to me."
Deegan's tone no longer sounded like a player, but more like a leader in the underworld.
But this is what the Belgian team needs now.