Football Card System

At seven in the morning on August 8, Gao Bo woke up as usual on the camp bed in his office.

These days, Gao Bo had been overwhelmed with work. He spent his days training the team and preparing for warm-up matches over the past two months. At the same time, he had to adjust individual players' training plans based on their performance, leaving him little time for rest. Most nights, he stayed up until three or four in the morning. Since some tasks couldn't be delegated to his assistants, such as John Aston, Gao Bo had to handle them himself. As a result, he simply chose to live at the team's training base, rarely visiting the apartment the team had rented for him.

In the office bathroom, Gao Bo splashed cold water on his face to shake off the lingering drowsiness. Standing in front of the mirror, he zipped up his training suit and hung his whistle around his neck, his standard gear for leading training sessions.

Then, he peeled a Post-it note from the mirror.

"August 8 schedule: Morning – counter-attack drills + 45-minute scrimmage; Afternoon – passing drills + pre-match press conference!"

Today's schedule included the added task of a pre-match press conference.

On August 9, Luton Town would play their first league game of the season at home, facing Port Vale.

The day's training flew by quickly. With the game scheduled for the next day, Gao Bo reduced the intensity of the afternoon session and instructed the players to stay at the training base overnight. He had established a rule: unless there were special circumstances, players had to stay at the training base before games, and hotels were arranged for away matches.

Later, Gao Bo and team captain Kevin Keane headed to the conference hall on the first floor of the office building. Before each home game, the hall was temporarily converted into a venue for pre-match press conferences.

Although the hall was small, a League Two game didn't attract much media attention. Apart from reporters from Luton and Port Vale, only Sky Sports and the BBC had representatives present.

The reporters, scattered sparsely around the hall, focused their attention on Gao Bo—a Chinese manager leading an English football team, a rarity that piqued their curiosity.

Gao Bo hadn't dressed up for the press conference. He was still wearing the training suit from the morning, complete with the whistle hanging from his neck. His casual appearance stripped away any sense of mystery about him. The young coach didn't seem to fit the typical image of a football manager.

Seated in the front row was a sharp-looking woman in a professional black suit: Roy Saul, a reporter for Luton's largest local newspaper, The Hat Seller. Her demeanor exuded confidence and a touch of disdain.

Roy was a die-hard Luton fan. Born and raised in Luton, her family had supported the team for generations. She was furious with the club's American owner, David Luton, who had hired a young, inexperienced Chinese coach to lead her beloved team. In her eyes, this decision was nothing short of outrageous.

As soon as the press officer, John Aston, announced the start of the press conference, Roy shot her hand up, determined to seize the first question.

John nodded to her, and Roy stood up, her tone sharp and challenging.

"Mr. Gao Bo! You've brought three players from amateur leagues to Luton this season. Are you aware of the physical demands of League Two?" she asked, her gaze icy.

Roy's words struck like a challenge. Kevin Keane glanced at Gao Bo nervously, aware of the negativity surrounding the coach. Despite his concerns, Keane had full confidence in Gao Bo's abilities, having seen the tactical brilliance and talent-spotting prowess that his manager brought to the table.

Gao Bo, however, seemed unbothered. He leaned back slightly, meeting Roy's gaze with calm interest.

"The players I've brought in are more than capable of handling League Two," Gao Bo replied flatly. "In fact, I believe they could perform well in League One—or even the Championship."

Roy scoffed. "The Second Division is a professional league, Mr. Gao Bo!"

"Miss Reporter," Gao Bo said, his tone sharpening, "I am the head coach of a professional team. I know better than you what it takes to succeed in professional football."

The room buzzed with suppressed amusement. Other reporters watched the exchange with great interest.

The press conference continued, but by the end, Gao Bo had the final word. Standing up, he turned to Roy and said, "Vardy and Charlie are the best strikers in League Two, and Kante will be the best defensive midfielder in this league. After the season starts, you'll see for yourself, Miss Reporter."

With that, Gao Bo walked out, leaving Roy fuming.

"Best striker? Best defensive midfielder? What nonsense!" Roy muttered under her breath, her frustration palpable as she watched him leave.

The other reporters, still processing the fiery exchange, were left murmuring, "We didn't even get to ask our questions..."