461 Ferguson’s Decision (1/2)
This was neither the world's most famous Epsom Derby nor the world's most luxurious Royal Ascot. In fact, it was not even any of the five British Classics events in the UK.
Despite being a small-scale horse race, the day of the event still drew nearly 10 thousand spectators. This was enough to see the influence of horse racing within the UK's society.
Ferguson's horse was not participating in the horse races this time. He had come purely for leisurely purposes, and to relax. So, he did not choose to book a luxury box. Rather, he watched the races from the stands.
Before its start, he made a small bet on a horse; it was not a lot of money. As he said to Tang En, ”Gambling is for relaxation; money is secondary.”
In the end, the horse he bet on became the champion. He earned a small sum of prize money.
”Do you like horse racing, Mr. Twain?” Ferguson led Tang En through the bustling venue to retrieve his prize money.
”I know nothing about it.” Tang En shook his head honestly.
”What a pity. I've coached for 32 years, and it's a tiring job. Horse racing is my only opportunity to relax.” Ferguson shrugged. ”What do you do for relaxation?”
”Drink.”
”Drinking is pretty good too.” Ferguson nodded. ”But, only if it's red wine.”
Ferguson looked delighted as he received his earnings from the bet.
With his status and identity, this bit of money should not matter to him. But he still glowed with happiness as he showed his spoils of victory to Tang En.
It is true that Ferguson was nicknamed ”the hairdryer” in the confines of the locker room, and that he was cold and merciless in matches as if he was some wild and ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex. But outside the field, he was really a passionate old man with a good affinity with people. While his good relationships in the managerial circle of the English football scene were in part due to the outstanding results of Manchester United, a larger part could be attributed to his personal charm.
When Tang En had first met Ferguson at the reception by the League Managers Association, he was surrounded by a group of people from the same industry, listening to him speak. At that time, Tang En thought they were just people in the field trying to ingratiate themselves with the successful ones; he had felt great disdain for it. But now, he realized it was perhaps due to Ferguson's passionate character.
”400 pounds. It's not a lot of money. That horse was a favored winner. I would rarely bet money on an unpopular horse. It's hard to win unexpectedly,” Ferguson said as he looked at Tang En meaningfully. ”Let's go have a drink.” He pointed to a small bar not far ahead of them.
There were many people in the bar, all of whom were discussing the horse races that had just ended. In the UK, football is the most popular sport among the public, with horse racing being in second.
”How does it feel? Are you seeing a world completely apart from football?” Taking a sip of red wine from his glass, Ferguson's excited face made him seem as if he was already slightly inebriated.
Tang En scrutinized the people around him and nodded.
”I have a question, Tony. Why did you suddenly think to ask me out for a drink?” Ferguson put down his wine glass and looked at Tang En. ”I know you're not prone to hospitability.”
”It was a whim.” Tang En lied without batting an eyelid.
”Then, why didn't you invite Wenger? Hasn't he known you since you were still a manager at the Youth Team?”
Ferguson and Wenger did not get along with each other. Everyone knew that. Tang En was worried that repeatedly mentioning him would make Ferguson's good mood fade, so he waved his hand and said, ”This isn't the time for English Premier League talk…”
Ferguson laughed. ”So, this must be a big coincidence. I just turned down Nottingham Forest's offer for Ruud van Nistelrooy, and you've immediately called me out for a drink… is there really no correlation?”
Since his intentions were already exposed, there was no point in continuing to put on an act. Tang En shrugged helplessly. ”You're not wrong. It is related. And it's extremely important. I really hope that you can sell van Nistelrooy to Nottingham Forest.”
Ferguson looked at Tang En with a serious expression. ”You're strange, Tony. For a player, you would treat an opposing manager to a drink. You might be the first person ever to do this. Do you know about Manchester United's tradition?”
”Of course. But I don't think we have such an adversarial relationship,” Tang En said with a smile.
”That's just not true, Tony. Last season, whose team was it that caused Manchester United to not get into the top two of the EPL for the second time in 18 years?” Ferguson asked, staring at Tang En. His question sounded like an interrogation.
”But Chelsea was the champion for the previous season.”
”If I sell Ruud van Nistelrooy to you, the champion for the next season might be you,” Ferguson said with a shake of his head. ”I insist that Nottingham Forest is gradually becoming a strong competitor that can pose a threat to Manchester United. The Red Devils don't make a habit of selling players to their main competitors.”
It should have been a good thing for Tang En to receive the acknowledgment and praise of his opponent. But at this moment, he earnestly wished for Ferguson to look down on him instead.
”That's totally uncertain…” Tang En found this old man to be surprisingly stubborn. He did not have any reason that could use to persuade the man before him to agree to van Nistelrooy's transfer. Furthermore, he did not wish to make himself look overly weak in front of his opponent.
Since it could not be done, he could only give up on Ruud van Nistelrooy and pursue other forwards.
Berbatov had already been signed on by Tottenham Hotspur in a step ahead of them. At that time, Tang En was still embroiled in the despair of having lost the Champions League's finals to Barcelona and was in no mood to care about the transfer market. Before the issue with Anelka, Tang En thought that the capabilities of Forest's forward line were already sufficient and had no need of any new players. However, in order to put pressure on Anelka for him to understand his own situation, Tang En decided to make a bid in the transfer market.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was the most suitable candidate. It was a pity to just give up like this…
But what other way was there?
As Tang En drank mouthful after mouthful of wine from his glass, his brain continuously worked to think up a solution.
It was only when he was wakened by Ferguson that he realized he was pouring an empty glass into his mouth.
”You seem troubled,” Ferguson said knowingly.
Tang En felt somewhat awkward, thinking, it's because of you!
Seeing Tang En's expression, Ferguson laughed. He made no effort to cover up his own delight. ”Other than the Dutchman, do you have any other choice of forwards?”
Tang En shook his head. ”Not at the moment.”
”Does that mean I've successfully disrupted the pre-season battle plans of my main competitor?”
”You could say that.” Tang En shrugged. He had already given up on the idea of convincing Ferguson. This stubborn old man was not someone he could easily convince. He would treat this as really having invited him out for a drink.
”Alright, I give up.” He raised his hands in surrender. ”I admit we're your main competitor, a strong foe. We're very likely to threaten Manchester United's position in the English Premier League. Not just that, I think that Forest might also pose a threat to the position of several Premier League teams in the European competitions. My aim next season remains the Champions League. I understand your thoughts about wanting to maintain your own dominance. I can understand it very well. But… even if we are opponents on the field, it's no big deal to have a drink off the field, right?”
”Of course.” Ferguson nodded.
Tang En poured himself more wine and raised his glass. ”Then, let's not talk about Manchester United or Nottingham Forest today. No discussions on football. Tell me about this horse racing you're so fond of…”
The two really did not have any further discussion of football that day. They did not seem like two managers in opposition with each other in the League, instead looking more like old friends who had not met for years. Ferguson chatted to his heart's content, while Tang En drank with similar enthusiasm.
Both were even somewhat reluctant when it came time to part ways. They agreed to come out together for a drink and watch horse races whenever they had time in the future.