543 Dwarfism (1/2)

China Central Television was very efficient. The exclusive interview with Dai Li was broadcast that night.</p>

Chief Editor Zhao's superiors and the deputy director of the channel were naturally very happy. When other media groups saw that China Central Television began to report on Dai Li, they all started to get in on the action. Within a short time, an endless stream of reporters came to Dai Li's home. The original unit where Dai Li had worked, the Sports Bureau of Hanbei Province, also received a large number of reporters.</p>

The Olympics had just ended. The people had already seen the stories of the champions. It wasn't the athletes that were being talked about now, it was the coaches. It felt fresh for the people.</p>

What's more, Dai Li was still a coach for the American team. In the eyes of most people, one was definitely more capable if they taught Americans than if they taught Chinese people.</p>

Soon, someone noticed the period in which Dai Li was transferred to the Tai Chi Application Committee.</p>

One headline read: ”The United States let the best coach train their best athletes, and we let the best coach handle applications for cultural heritage.”</p>

More provocative headlines followed immediately: ”The best coach of the Olympics was forced to go to the United States. Whose fault was it?”</p>

Since the media had always liked to use seditious headlines to attract people's attention, Dai Li's resignation was also dug up, as were the National Table Tennis Championship strike and Zhizhong Gu's mysterious demotion. Linking these things to Dai Li was easy.</p>

The turmoil of public opinion caused some people anxiety. After all, they had transferred Dai Li to the Tai Chi Application Committee because he was associated with Zhizhong Gu. They never would've expected that that unremarkable physical fitness coach would become the head coach of the American track and field team and get them their best results ever. Turning against their own people by forcing them out was a terrible sin; there would be no way to be cleansed of it.</p>

Zhizhong Gu had long been idling at home. At this time, he had also noticed the reports about Dai Li, especially the reports from We media.</p>

Zhizhong Gu let out a long sigh.</p>

”What's wrong?” His wife asked.</p>

”We media, the way they are talking about Dai Li. I'm afraid that there will be no chance for him to return to the country to coach,” Zhizhong Gu said.</p>

”That's true.” His wife stopped what she was doing. ”Dai Li was forced to leave. Now that he is famous, the more famous he is, the less likely those people will dare to let him back. Dai Li is now living well in the United States, he may not want to come back. Besides, isn't being the head coach of the American track and field team better than returning to China to coach? There aren't that many high-level athletes in this country!”</p>

Zhizhong Gu sighed again. ”I just feel that it is such a waste. Dai Li is a rare talent, but unfortunately, this country can't use him!”</p>

”There needs to be someone who wants to use him.” His wife snorted and said, ”Just like you. You played for the national team for most of your life, and in the end, didn't you end up like this? I think it was good for Dai Li to go abroad to develop his career. At the very least, he is able to showcase his talents. He didn't waste his time!”</p>

...</p>

Argentina, Buenos Aires.</p>

The River Plate Football Club was a giant in the Argentine League. Founded in 1901, this football club had a history of more than 100 years and was regarded as a model for Argentine football.</p>

In the manager's office of the River Plate team, a middle-aged man with a thick beard on his lips was pleading with the general manager of the River Plate team, Aguero.</p>

”Mr. Aguero, please give Halls another chance! I beg you!” The middle-aged man said passionately, tears even appeared in his eyes.</p>

However, Aguero shook his head. ”Mr. Frast, I can't do anything. I admit that our River Plate team was very optimistic about Halls, hoping to recruit him into our River Plate team. However, I am afraid he cannot become a professional football player due to his current situation.”</p>

”Mr. Aguero, Halls' disease could be cured,” Frast pleaded.</p>

”Indeed, it is possible, but how likely is it? As far as I know, Halls' Wagner's line has closed. In this case, it is difficult for him to grow any taller. If it were true that the disease was really so easy to cure, I think Halls' old team, Newells Old Boys, would not have given up on him right? So, Mr. Frast, I am very sorry.”</p>

Aguero looked helpless. ”Mr. Frast,” he continued. ”I hope you understand that football clubs are not charities. Our ultimate goal is to make a profit so that we can answer to our shareholders. We can't waste too many resources on a child whose future is uncertain.”</p>

Frast walked out of Aguero's office disappointed. For him, the River Plate team was his last option. If the River Plate team refused, then he really had no chance.</p>

At this time, Aguero's secretary came from afar and saw Frast standing in the door of the manager's office.</p>

”Mr. Frast, you should leave quickly. Our manager has to welcome guests from Europe.” The secretary said this in a way that implied that she was saying goodbye.</p>

”Guests from Europe? Did someone from the European clubs come?” asked Frast.</p>

”Yes. He is very interested in our attacking midfielders and side midfielders. Maybe this time we can reach a deal,” the secretary said.</p>

”I see, then I won't be a bother,” Frast nodded. In his mind, he was planning something else.</p>

For South American professional football players, the dream was to play in the five major leagues in Europe. The standard of the European League was much higher, and they could earn more money.</p>

South American football clubs didn't have enough money to keep the athletes. They would rather sell the athletes to European teams when they are worth more and get a large transfer fee. Many South American clubs' source of income came from training athletes and then selling them to European football clubs.</p>

The River Plate team was Argentina's top football club and it brought together Argentina's top players. Naturally, it would attract the focus of the European clubs. There would always be people coming from Europe to investigate the River Plate players every year and the River Plate team would showcase their players. They hoped to sell them at a good price.</p>

...</p>

”Mr. Claude, welcome!” Aguero extended his hand to the person on the other side.</p>

This guest from Europe was the chief fitness coach of the Harman team, Toby Claude.</p>

The contract between Harman and Dingtian was over. He chose to take a break for a while and temporarily return to his family. After all, Harman was a 70-year-old man. He always insisted on training on the front line, but his physical state could not keep up with what he wanted to do in his heart. If he were not really passionate about football, perhaps he would not have continued to coach at this age.</p>

As for the members of the Harman team, they also needed to make their own living. However, those who were able to be on the Harman team all worked hard. It wouldn't be difficult for them if they wanted to find a suitable job in football. They would be very popular commodities in the talent market. For example, Toby Claude was a world-class physical coach in Europe and was also good at football. Such talents were always wanted by the top European giants.</p>