Chapter 7 License
When Ren was 19, he immediately began pursuing his dream of becoming a top football manager, completing his UEFA C License and working his way up to his UEFA A License. Now, after reincarnating, he was preparing for the next big step: the UEFA Pro License.
His days were divided between his university studies, his football coaching with a local under-16 boys' team, and the delicate, intricate world of PrimeKick Investments. The firm, which he'd founded with his lottery winnings, had grown rapidly. Though still small by industry standards, the company had taken giant strides in the financial world, with Scott as the face of the operation and Anna running the analytics behind the scenes. Ren, however, stayed out of the spotlight, focusing instead on quietly shaping both the business and his long-term vision.
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PrimeKick's new office in Manchester was a symbol of that growth—sleek, modern, and bustling with energy. Ren had handpicked the space himself: open, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the city's skyline. Inside, the office buzzed with the energy of young analysts, all working toward Ren's vision, even if they didn't know it was his.
Ren preferred to keep a low profile. Publicly, Scott was PrimeKick's founder and CEO. With his sharp suits and sharper mind, Scott had taken to his role effortlessly. He thrived in meetings with investors, handled media appearances with charisma, and delivered presentations to clients with confidence. To the outside world, PrimeKick was Scott's baby.
Behind the scenes, however, it was Ren pulling the strings. His insights, had shaped the company into what it was today. With Anna ensuring the firm's numbers stayed rock-solid and Scott acting as the public face, PrimeKick had become a rising star in the financial world.
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It was a cold, overcast morning, the sky outside heavy with the threat of rain. Inside the PrimeKick office, the atmosphere was anything but gloomy. The sound of keyboards clacking, hushed conversations, and the occasional phone call filled the air. In the corner conference room, Scott and Anna sat across from each other at the long oak table, discussing one of the more pressing topics of the moment: Ren's obsession with football clubs.
Scott leaned back in his chair, dressed in one of his usual well-tailored suits, though his tie was already loosened. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the polished wood surface as he eyed Anna, who was scanning a document in front of her.
"So, what do you think about Ren's newest obsession? Buying a football club, of all things," Scott said, his tone casual, though he was genuinely curious about Anna's thoughts.
Anna, ever the pragmatist, sighed and placed her pen down before crossing her arms. "I think it's a terrible idea. Football clubs are notoriously unpredictable, not to mention financially unstable. They're nothing like stocks or real estate, where you can track growth and analyze trends. Football is emotional—one bad season, and you're losing millions."
Scott nodded, though he didn't share her complete pessimism. "I see your point, but you know Ren. He's not just looking at it from a financial perspective. He's a football guy through and through. He's already got his UEFA A License, and he's starting the Pro License course soon. I doubt this is just a vanity project for him."
Anna raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Even if he knows football inside and out, it doesn't mean it's a smart investment. Look at all the other clubs that have folded or bled money for years before they turned a profit. This isn't some hedge fund. This is a football club, and the odds are stacked against him."
Scott, ever the optimist, leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "I don't disagree, but Ren's always been one step ahead. Remember the Freedom Holding Corp. investment? Everyone thought he was crazy, but we all saw how that turned out. He's got a knack for seeing things before they happen."
Anna shook her head, her dark ponytail swaying slightly. "That was different. Stocks—even risky ones—are still grounded in numbers, patterns, and data. Football? Football is chaos. Players, managers, the media, fans—there are too many variables. If Ren dumps his personal wealth into a football club, it could be his downfall."
Scott tapped his pen against the table thoughtfully. "Maybe. But if anyone can make it work, it's Ren. He's not like other investors or football enthusiasts. He has an edge… I don't know what it is, but he sees things differently."
Anna let out a soft scoff, sipping from her coffee. "Or he's just lucky. We need to keep him grounded, Scott. He's too ambitious for his own good sometimes."
Scott stood up, stretching and glancing out at the office floor where analysts were buzzing around like worker bees. "Yeah, I get that. But you know Ren. Once he's set on something, nothing's going to stop him."
Anna placed her cup down with a resigned smile. "He's going to buy the club, whether we think it's a good idea or not."
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While Scott and Anna discussed the potential risks of his newest venture, Ren was on the pitch with his under-16 boys' team, watching as the boys practiced their drills. The cold February wind bit at his face, but Ren barely noticed it. His mind was already turning toward the next phase of his football journey: the UEFA Pro License, the highest level of certification for a football coach.
He had been coaching the local under-16 team for a year now, and it had been a valuable experience. Ren had used his time with them to refine his tactical philosophy, focusing on building a cohesive unit rather than relying on individual talent. The boys respected him, not just because of his knowledge but because of the way he treated them—as equals, not just kids kicking a ball around.
"Alright, let's run it again," Ren called out, his voice carrying across the field. "I want the midfield to close those gaps. No more ball-watching."
As the boys scrambled to reset for the drill, Ren's mind wandered for a moment. He was almost done with his degree in Football Coaching, and his UEFA Pro License course was the next step. He could feel the pieces falling into place. But there was one major component still missing: ownership of a football club.
Ren had been eyeing several clubs, but none more than Angers SCO, a modest team in France's Ligue 1. The club had been stabilized financially under its current owner, Chabane, and had clawed its way back to the top division. But Ren saw more potential. He didn't want Angers to just survive in Ligue 1—he wanted them to thrive. With the right investment and youth development, he believed he could turn Angers into a force to be reckoned with. But his heart was wavering as it was somewhere else.