Rijkaard is out!

  This isn't breaking news, it's something everyone has known for a while.

  Spanish media had reported long ago that Rijkaard would leave Bara at the end of the season.

  Ever since losing to Gao Shen's Real Madrid in the Champions League final, and especially after Ten Cate left, Bara's performances had deteriorated year after year. Last season, they slumped to third in La Liga, finishing ten points behind sed-pced Vilrreal.

  La Liga's so-called "Big Two"?

  Was Bara even worthy of that title anymore?

  Not only were the fans furious, but even the club's ma felt the pressure.

  A coag ge was iable, and Rijkaard stepping down was the most amicable solution for both parties.

  At the very least, it allowed them to part ways oively det terms.

  But with Rijkaard gohe question loomed: who would take the helm at Camp Nou?

  The media specuted endlessly, throwing out names like Mourinho, who was currently unemployed, Espanyol's head coach Valverde, Vilrreal's manager Pellegrini, and even Bara legends like Laudrup and Guardio.

  Each of these names carried weight, either as Bara is or as globally reized coaches.

  However, as Serie A's season came to an end, a new name began to surfa Spanish media—a hat was quickly linked with Bara: Gao Shen, the head coach of the Serie A double-winning Napoli.

  For Bara fans and the local media, Gao Shen sparked mixed emotions.

  As Sport put it, "If Gao Sheo coach Bara, we would fully support him. But if he were to stand against us, he would undoubtedly bee publiemy number one."

  The reason for this tradi was simple: Gao Shen had inflicted some of the most painful memories in Bara's ret history.

  Yet after his incredible success at Napoli, especially iactical battlefield of Serie A, where he earhe respect of even the most aplished managers, any doubts about Gao Shen's abilities were id to rest.

  If someone questioned Gao Shen's coag skills, what did that say about the Italian managers he had outcssed?

  And if the Italian coaches were sed-rate, what did that make the rest of Europe's managers?

  ---

  This was a long and intense meeting at Camp Nou.

  Led by club president Joan Laporta, the meeting included vice president of sport Marg, vice president of finance Ferran Soriano, teical director Txiki Begiristain, and honorary president Johan Cruyff.

  The heavyweights of FC Bara gathered to deliberate on the crucial question: who would be the head coach?

  Laporta opehe meeting by firming that Rijkaard was history.

  "What Bara needs now is a new coach to lead us out of this slump," he said. "This includes deg on trarategies for the summer."

  The club had already outlined pns to offload a number of pyers deemed surplus to requirements: Ronaldinho, Deco, Edmílson, Thuram, and Zambrotta.

  Though these pyers were once among the best in Europe, they were her past their primes or underperf. None of them fit Bara's vision for the future.

  Ohese pyers were sold, the club would rei in new signings. Targets like Cesc Fàbregas and Dani Alves had already beeified.

  But the new head coach would have a signifit say in shaping the overall strategy.

  Thus, appointing the right manager was the club's top priority.

  ---

  "I think we eliminate Laudrup and Valverde from sideratiht away," Begiristain began.

  As the club's teical director, his opinion carried the most weight in the coag search.

  From a purely performance-based perspective, her Laudrup nor Valverde had the credentials to lead Bara, especially when pared to didates like Gao Shen, Mourinho, or Pellegrini.

  Guardio, meanwhile, was more of a long shot—his inclusion on the list felt more symbolic than serious.

  "Pep has actually reended Gao Shen to me," Begiristain tinued. "He believes Gao Shen has a highly advanced football philosophy. He emphasizes attag football, excels at developing young pyers, and has a unique ability to mahe locker room. On top of that, he has an exceptional team of assistants."

  "What's more," Begiristain added, "after his experien Serie A, Gao Shen has evolved. His football philosophy has beore banced, and his tactical approach is highly cohesive. He's exactly the type of manager Bara needs right now."

  His words sparked murmurs of agreement around the table.

  Gao Shen's reputation preceded him. After leading Real Madrid to a historic double, he made waves by taking Napoli, a newly promoted Serie A team, to the league title. It was nothing short of a miracle.

  In European football, Gao Shen had bee one of the hottest names in ma.

  More importantly, his philosophy of attag football aligned perfectly with Bara's traditions.

  Even Thiago Motta, a former Bara pyer, had thrived under Gao Shen at Napoli. This suggested Gao Shen could seamlessly implement Bara's iic 4-3-3 system.

  If there had been any lingering doubts about Gao Shen before, his ret success had silehem.

  Even Laporta houghtfully.

  "What about Mourinho?" the president asked.

  Mourinho was Laporta's personal reendation, much like Cruyff had vouched for Valverde. Everyone had their own preferred didate, which would then be debated collectively.

  Following Laporta's suggestion, Begiristain had traveled tal to meet Mourinho.

  "He presented a detailed pn for the team," Begiristain expined. "Some of his ideas were excellent, and he provided thoughtful suggestions for addressing our current challenges. But after speaking with him ih, I have some reservations."

  "What kind of reservations?" Laporta pressed.

  "Mourinho's philosophy is heavily focused on defense," Begiristain said. "Offense has never been his strong suit. While he spent several years at Bara, his teams don't reflect our attag identity. His 4-3-3 doesn't align with Bara's style."

  The others nodded in agreement.

  Both Bara and Real Madrid had alrioritized attag, teical football. Mourinho's tactical approach, with its defensive focus, simply didn't fit.

  "I also think Mourinho isn't the right choice," Cruyff chimed in.

  "Wheing a head coach, we should prioritize someone who embodies the club's philosophy and traditions, not just someoh a big name. I spoke with Valverde, and he offered some detailed pns and thoughtful advice, but…" Cruyff paused, gng around the room.

  "…pared to Gao Shen, the head coach of Napoli is undoubtedly a better fit for Bara."

  The room fell silent in surprise.

  Few expected Cruyff to endao Shen. Perhaps witnessing Napoli's 5-0 demolition of Inter Min had made an impression.

  ---

  With Cruyff's support, the discussion reached a clusion.

  Four names remained in tention: Gao Shen, Mourinho, Pellegrini, and Guardio.

  But Pellegrini and Guardio were quickly ruled out. Pellegrini cked the same level of credibility, while Guardio was still too inexperienced, despite his potential.

  Guardio himself had even expressed willio serve as an assistant coach if Gao Shen were appointed.

  "Let's move to a vote," Laporta said. "Those in favor of Gao Shen, raise your hand."

  One by one, hands went up: Begiristain, Soriano, Ing, Cruyff.

  Finally, after a moment of hesitation, Laporta raised his own hand.

  "Unanimously approved," Laporta decred.

  "Txiki, you'll hahe iations. vince Gao Shen to join us as Bara's head coach!"

  Begiristain nodded fidently. "Don't worry. I'll bring Pep with me. Gao Shen won't refuse."

  The room shared the se.

  ---

  An hour ter, news of the decision reached Pal, where Mourinho heard it from his agent, Je Mendes.

  He had lost the job.

  The role he had dreamed of returning to Bara as head coach was gone.

  "Who?" Mourinho demanded, his voice tinged with anger. "Who did they choose?"

  "Gao Shen," Mendes replied. "Bara is already arranging visas to send Soriano, Begiristain, and Guardio to a to iate with him."

  "It's him!" Mourinho spat, his voice dripping with rese.

  He had heard of Gao Shen during the tter's time at Real Madrid, though their paths had never crossed och.

  Now, Gao Shen had risen to prominence, leading Napoli to unpreted heights and being one of the most sought-after managers in Europe.

  Mendes sighed. "It's not just Bara. Inter Min is also sending a delegation to a. Angelo Moratti, Marco Branca, and Lele Oriali will meet with Gao Shen as well. Inter has made him their top priority."

  Mourinho couldn't hold baymore. "What the hell!" he snapped.

  Seething, Mourinho gritted his teeth.