blogombal Chapter 53 Genius Meets Genius
Chapter 53 Genius Meets Genius
Two days later.
Liverpool, UK.
The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the unique dampness and coolness of the English port slowly enveloped this football city.
Ye Xian's car slowly drove into the streets surrounding Goodison Park.
Soon, the car stopped at the main entrance of Goodison Park. Everton club staff who had been waiting there immediately stepped forward and respectfully opened the car door for Ye Xian.
Club CEO Keith Winters also came to greet them.
He was dressed in a dark suit, with a gentle smile on his face, and extended his hand: "Mr. Ye Xian, welcome to Goodison Park. You must be tired from your journey."
Ye Xian straightened his casual suit, smiled and shook Winters' hand, his tone steady: "Thank you for your welcome, Mr. Winters. It is an honor to be here and become a member of the club."
Today marks the day Ye Xian officially reports to the club.
As a newcomer, it's natural to first visit the club with an escort to familiarize yourself with the location of the various facilities before starting your work.
Our first stop is Goodison Park, Everton's home ground.
At that moment, not far away, dozens of Everton fans were holding up a blue welcome banner with the words "Welcome Ye Xian" printed on it in both Chinese and English.
Upon seeing Ye Xian get out of the car, they immediately erupted in enthusiastic cheers. Some waved club scarves, while others shouted his name, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Ye Xian slightly raised his hand to greet the fans.
There weren't many fans who came to welcome him, but Ye Xian was already happy with the support he received.
He also noticed that the vast majority of these fans had an Asian face.
It seems that Chinese people still support each other the most!
Local fans are clearly not very enthusiastic.
Imagine this: a young Chinese coach is suddenly parachuted into your century-old club to take the reins. Even though this coach has a brilliant record in the World Cup, most people would still be skeptical.
Many people even believe that the club has no bottom line when it comes to money from China!
Ye Xian can only gradually dispel their doubts through his future performance.
Accompanied by Winters, Ye Xian entered Goodison Park.
Passing through the main entrance into the reception hall, the walls are covered with Everton's centennial honor banners, from early First Division titles to FA Cup trophies, each banner engraving the club's glorious past.
That's right, Everton's ancestors were once very wealthy.
When fans talk about the Premier League now, they basically talk about Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur, the top group consisting of the BIG6.
Then there are "old-school newcomers" like Newcastle and Aston Villa.
To be honest, Everton's presence isn't very strong.
In my past life, when I watched the Premier League, I would probably only watch how Liverpool played during the Merseyside derby.
But in fact, they are a strong team that has won the English top-flight league title nine times, the FA Cup five times, and the European Cup Winners' Cup once!
However, the most recent of these championships is the FA Cup title in 1995.
If we're talking about top-tier league titles or the Cup Winners' Cup, we have to go back to the 1980s...
That was so long ago!
Even more tragically, for Ye Xian, who traveled back from 2026, this record remains unchanged.
In other words, from 1995 to 2026, for more than 30 years, Everton will not win a single championship!
At this point in time, Everton is also not doing very well in the Premier League.
Since joining the Premier League in 1992, Everton have mostly been fighting to avoid relegation.
Each season, their ranking hovered around the teens, and they even had a close call where they barely avoided relegation, finishing 17th.
Last season they finished 15th, and the season before that they finished 16th.
Therefore, the goal set by the higher-ups for Ye Xian in his first season is very clear: to avoid relegation.
Once things stabilize, we can then focus on further development next season.
Of course, if they fail to avoid relegation, then that's the end of the story...
As Ye Xian walked along the corridor, he gradually heard the roar of a lawnmower.
Passing through the players' tunnel, a vast green football field suddenly appeared before our eyes.
Goodison Park's lawns are smooth and green, with morning dew still clinging to the blades, glistening in the morning light. The stands on both sides of the stadium are arranged in a staggered pattern, with neat rows of blue seats.
Although there are no spectators at the moment, one can still imagine the bustling and jubilant atmosphere here on match day.
Ye Xian walked to the edge of the lawn, bent down and gently stroked the grass under his feet, feeling the moist and soft touch on his fingertips.
"This pitch is meticulously maintained by us, according to the highest Premier League standards," Winters explained. "The stadium can hold 4 spectators, and every home game day, it's packed with Everton fans."
Ye Xian nodded slightly.
I used to watch Premier League matches on TV.
Standing on the Premier League pitch now, directing a Premier League team in a match, is something to look forward to!
But that's about all you get to see at the stadium.
Since the season hasn't started yet, the locker room is still under maintenance, and there's not much to see inside.
As for VIP rooms, media centers, and the like, those were not things Ye Xian cared about.
Winters then took Ye Xian to the training ground.
That's the place Ye Xian will be spending a lot of time in the future.
The training facility, named Belfield, is about three or four kilometers from Goodison Park, just a few minutes' drive away.
This training base is quite advanced – after all, it's Premier League level!
Several standard training lawns are arranged in a staggered pattern, next to which are a fully equipped physical training hall, rehabilitation center, tactical analysis room, as well as players' locker room and lounge.
Inside the training hall, there is a full range of fitness equipment, the rehabilitation center is equipped with top-of-the-line medical equipment, and the tactical analysis room is furnished with neat tables and chairs and high-definition displays. Everything appears professional and orderly.
Stepping into the players' locker room, each locker is labeled with the player's name and number, and the lockers are filled with the players' shoes and training uniforms. The overall atmosphere is simple and tidy.
"Mr. Ye Xian, the tour is almost over," Winters said. "Are you satisfied with the club's facilities?"
Ye Xian smiled and said, "Very satisfied. I can't wait to get started. May I see Mr. Moyes first?"
Facilities are one aspect, but the most important factor in whether a team can succeed is its people.
For Ye Xian right now, the person he most needs to see is Moyes – the coach who knows the team best right now!
"No problem, he's already waiting for you in the coach's office." Winters pointed upstairs.
The coach's office is located on the second floor of the training base, and its overall design is simple yet sophisticated.
Led by Winters, the two went up to the second floor and opened the door.
Inside, Everton's team posters and training schedules were hanging on the walls, and two desks were placed near the window, with tactical manuals and player data reports neatly stacked on them.
Next to the table, there was also a tactical board.
Then Ye Xian saw Moyes, who was already waiting there.
The 39-year-old Scottish coach was wearing an Everton training suit. He was tall, had a calm face, and a serious expression.
He stood up and extended his hand: "Mr. Ye Xian, I've long admired your name. Welcome to Everton. Congratulations on leading the Chinese team to third place in the World Cup; that was truly a remarkable miracle."
Ye Xian stepped forward with a smile, shook Moyes' hand tightly, and said sincerely, "Mr. Moyes, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've been following Everton closely and know how much you've contributed to the team. It's an honor to work alongside you."
A few humble words instantly eased the tense atmosphere in the office.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Winters said, "You two can continue your conversation. I'll go and make some preparations for the upcoming meeting, and I'll come back to invite you later."
After saying that, he walked out of the office, gently closing the door behind him, leaving the two of them alone.
These two people actually have one thing in common.
Ye Xian was repeatedly called a "genius" by Milutinovic;
As for Moyes, he has always been known as "Mo the Genius" on the Chinese internet.
Therefore, this meeting is historically known as—
A meeting of geniuses!