After returning to Naples, Gao Shen took a day to rest and adjust to the jet g before diving straight bato work.

  The first thing he did ersonally call the two new pyers.

  Maggio was the first. Gao Shen was already familiar with him, and the pyer had gotten to know Gao Shen too, as they had spoken on the phone several times before. This time, Gao Shen got straight to the point and outlined his pns.

  As the best-perf right winger in Serie A st season, Maggio was used to pying in an advanced role at Sampdoria, ofterusted by Mazzarri with dominating the entire right wing. But Gao Shen had a different vision for him.

  He made it clear that in Napoli's system, Maggio would py as a right-back rather than a right forward, simply because Napoli didn't have a position like the one he pyed at Sampdoria.

  "Mazzarri gave you a lot of freedom on the wing," Gao Shen said holy, "but with the way we py, you'll o focus on defense first and foremost. The demands here are different. Napoli's system is built oless running, high pressing, and solid deferucture. If you master this role, you'll excel."

  Of course, Gao Shen didn't fet to bance criticism with encement, something he was very skilled at. While he set out clear expectations, he also praised Maggio for his performa season and enced him to perform eveer in the ing season.

  "But I must warn you," Gao Shen said with a teasing edge, "Lichtsteiner has set his sights on being the best right-ba Serie A. He's determined, so don't let him leave you behind."

  Maggio chuckled at the challe took it to heart. Gao Shen's words ignited a petitive fire in him. After all, a little healthy petition never hurt a only pushed people to improve.

  When Gao Shen spoke to Benatia, his approach was pletely different.

  Benatia, a defender who had been signed from retive obscurity, was told upfront that his role would be as an important substitute for the team this season. Gao Shen reassured him that he would have plenty of opportuo py.

  "I've watched some of yames in Ligue 2 and with the French youth team," Gao Shen said sincerely. "I see your strength and your potential, and I believe in you. What's most important now is for you to adjust quickly and show everyone your best."

  Benatia, in turn, shared details about his recovery. He expined how he had been pying amateur matches with friends and diligently following the training pns provided by Bueura and Pintus. He was fident that his body had fully recovered and couldn't wait to join the preseason training camp.

  Hearing this, Gao Shen leased and gave Benatia further encement. "Remember, at Napoli, it's all about your performan the pitch. As long as you work hard and stay focused, you'll have your ce to shine."

  The versatio Benatia feeling even more motivated and reassured about his future at the club.

  ---

  With st season's double-winning success, Napoli had risen to promihe pyers, now well-known names in European football, attracted attention not just from rival clubs but also from national teams.

  This became evident with the uping Olympic Games, where many of Napoli's young stars were called up.

  Argentied three pyers: Di Maria, Biglia, and Pastore.

  Brazil called up David Luiz.

  Belgium summoned Mertens and Nainggon.

  Italy included Pelle and Bonuc their squad.

  With a total of eight pyers selected, Napoli was heavily impacted by the Olympics. The tour, held in a, was set to take pce from early to te August precisely when Napoli would be dug preseason training and pying warm-up matches.

  This posed signifit challenges fao Shen. The pyers peting in the Olympics would likely miss the Italian Super Cup on August 24 and might not even be ready for the first round of Serie A at the end of the month. Gao Shen and his coag staff o prepare carefully to minimize the disruption.

  Fortunately, this season's Coppa Italia had returo its inal format, sparing Napoli the early rounds of the petition. They would enter directly in the Round of 16, giving them some breathing room.

  Still, Gao Shen took the initiative to tact eaational team coach to coordinate pns.

  Napoli fully supported the pyers' participation in the Olympics, but Gao Shen made one key request: he wahe pyers to remain with the club for preseason training in July before joining their national teams. He emphasized how crucial this period was for both the team and the pyers.

  "The iy of Napoli's matches this season will be incredibly demanding," Gao Shen expined. "If the pyers skip preseason training, they won't be able to cope."

  By outlining his reasons with logid evidence, Gao Shen made a ving case. He proposed a win-win sario where the pyers would plete a month of preseason training with Napoli before transitioning to their national teams. The Olympic coaches agreed, provided that the pyers could join their squads as soon as possible afterward.

  ---

  Beyond coordinating for the Olympics, Gao Shen also focused on stabilizing the squad.

  One of his priorities was to reassure his pyers about his decision to stay at Napoli.

  Many pyers, including i, Sanchez, Di Maria, and David Luiz, had received offers from major clubs. Some had even spoken to Gao Shen directly about their ambitions and s. Now that Gao Shen had itted to staying, he wao ensure his pyers were on the same page.

  "These pyers," Gao Shen thought, "were ones I brought here and developed from the ground up. They might not be pletely loyal to Napoli, but I know they trust me."

  During individual versations, Gao Shen emphasized the bes of staying. Napoli would be peting in the Champions League, and the team's foundation remained solid. A strong showing in Europe would boost not only the team's reputation but also each pyer's individual value.

  "Think about it," Gao Shen told them. "If you leave for a big club now, you guarantee you'll be a starter? Look at Gervinho, he joined Arsenal, but he's not a guaraarter. Oher hand, look at Di Maria. He stayed here, and now he's more famous than Gervinho."

  Most pyers agreed with Gao Shen's reasoning. Napoli's upward trajectory was clear, and they wao see how far they could go together.

  ---

  As the coag staff gradually returao Shen was able to delegate more tasks and lighten his load.

  The preseason training camp, in particur, became the focus of fitness coach Pintus and physiotherapist Bueura. The two colborated to create an ambitious and interaining program.

  Initially, Gao Shen had been worried about potential cshes betweewo. Pintus, a traditional Italian fitness coach, emphasized non-ball training running and strength work. Meanwhile, Bueura, a Spanish fitness coach, preferred training with the ball and iing teical drills into physical routiheir philosophies seemed at odds.

  But to Gao Shen's surprise, the two didn't csh at all. Instead, they plemented each other perfectly, sparking innovative ideas that enhahe training program.

  For instance, Bueura had struggled in the past with finding the right ban pyer weight ma. Pintus proposed a method to help pyers shed unnecessary weight while maintaining their physical strength and endurahis approach made pyers leaner, improving their running ability without promising their physicality.

  They also colborated on recovery strategies. Pintus suggested that pyers should push through fatigue with long-distance runs to build stamina, while Bueura ensured recovery sessions were carefully ied to prevent injuries.

  Together, they crafted a summer training pn that was as intense as it was meticulous.

  Oatistic stood out: pyers would be required to run 15 kilometers every day, not including other training drills.

  When Gao Shen and his assistants reviewed the pn, they were stunned.

  "Is this a training camp or a death march?" Carlo joked, though his voice carried a hint of genuine .

  Bueura and Pintus, however, were uurbed. They had even requested additional resources, including advanced recovery equipment and a renovated medical room, to ehe pyers could hahe iy.

  Looking at the mischievous grins owo coaches' faces, Gao Shen couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and dread.

  "These two vilins," he thought, shaking his head with a wry smile.

  Inwardly, he sent a silent prayer for his pyers.

  They were going to .