Deschamps is gone!

  Early in the m, shog news spread from 32 Via Ferraris in Turin: Didier Deschamps had left Juventus.

  Everyo the Juventus headquarters was stunned. No one expected that the famous coach, who had just led the team back to Serie A, would suddenly depart.

  However, those familiar with the internal situation kly why this happened, especially general manager Jean-Cude Bnc.

  From the winter break onwards, Juventus' sp director, Alessio Secco, had refused Deschamps' requests to sign pyers like Van der Vaart and Savio. This led to a plete breakdown iionship between Deschamps and the ma. After achieving the goal of Serie A promotion, Deschamps had already made it clear to Bnc that he wouldn't renew his tract with Juventus.

  He was leaving!

  Bnc had tried to vince him to stay, but it was futile Deschamps had made up his mind.

  The news sent shockwaves throughout Italy.

  After leading Juventus back to Serie A, why would Deschamps suddenly leave?

  All fingers poi Secco, leaving Juventus' sp director under intense scrutiny.

  Even Juventus' top ma began to pay close attention to the situation, especially as they were disappointed with the team's performan the past season. They felt that the new ma had failed to meet expectations and were now pnning for a stronger showing in Serie A.

  This situatioo a serious discussioween Juventus' two key deakers.

  "Did you know? Deschamps' departure has severely damaged our reputation. Whether it's the fans, the media, or people within football, their perception of us is highly ive," Bnc said, critig Secco.

  "He wao leave; it has nothing to do with me," Secco defended himself.

  He wasn't wrong, but he never made any real effort to keep Deschamps.

  "Now is not the time for assigning bme. I want to know, what are your thoughts for the new season?" Bnc asked.

  "I'm looking for a new head coach."

  Bnodded. "I know that, but the boss suggested someone."

  "Who?" Secco asked with growing unease.

  "Gao Shen."

  Secco's face darkened immediately, as if haunted by a ghost that wouldn't leave him.

  "The boss feels that Gao Shen proved his coag ability with Napoli st season. Whether in Serie B or the Coppa Italia, he showed extraordinary performance. Plus, he's young, and even more importantly, he's from a."

  The power behind Juventus, the Fiat Group, owns major brands like Fiat and Ferrari, and none of them could afford to ighe ese market.

  They hadn't interve season because they weren't sure about Gao Shen's coag level, but now, after his success at Napoli, they were intrigued.

  "The boss doesn't know him. He's not suitable for Juventus!" Secco decred with certainty.

  "You're wrong, Alessio." Bnc shook his head. "The boss knows him well. In fact, all of Italy knows him."

  For the past season, the Italian media had beeing on Gao Shen almost daily. His every move, even his choice of clothing during matches, had been scrutinized by the press. By now, Gao Shen was a household name in Italian football.

  "He's now the publiemy of Italy! Nobody likes him!" Secco gritted his teeth.

  Bnc chuckled. "How about a bet, Alessio? I'll anize a survey through the Turin Sports Daily to see if Juventus fans would accept Gao Shen as coach. If less than half support him, I'll admit defeat."

  Secco was at a loss for words. He didn't dare take the bet.

  Why did Italian fans dislike Gao Shen? Why did the media portray him as the enemy?

  Because Gao Shen was good, and his Napoli team was eveer. People were scared of him.

  Take Juventus fans, for example. If Gao Shen really did e to coach Juventus, those same people critig him would quickly ge their tune and support him. They'd switch sides faster than anyone else.

  A survey? Gao Shen would likely rank at the top!

  "No need for that. I still firmly believe that he's nht for us, and he wouldn't want to coach Juventus," Secco said, standing his ground.

  There was also the possibility that Seself might be out of a job if Gao Shen arrived.

  But what kind of world would that be?

  Was he expected to invite Gao Shen to Juventus, only to lose his own position?

  How absurd.

  "There are many renowned coaches in Italy. lenty of options."

  With that, Secco stood up and walked out.

  "One more thing," Secco said as he turned back with a sly smile. "Several pyers in Napoli are quite good. I've already arranged for someoo tact Marino. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other soon."

  Then Secco left.

  Bnc was left gritting his teeth in frustration before letting out a long string of curses.

  "Damn it!"

  ---

  In the office at Roma's headquarters, head coach Luo Spalletti submitted his carefully prepared transfer wish list to teical director Bruno ti.

  This was something the club had promised him iurn freeing to the sale of Christian Chivu to Inter Min for 16 million euros.

  The sale would be a huge blow to Roma's defense.

  ti accepted the list with a smile, but as he sed the names, he was taken aback. He couldn't help but look up at Spalletti, as if asking, "Are you serious?"

  Spalletti nodded firmly.

  After losing Chivu, Roma would need a new tral defender, and Spalletti had his eye on Napoli's Braziliaer-back, David Luiz. He believed that Luiz was on par with Juan, the ter-baa had been scouting from Bayer Leverkusen, but Luiz was younger and had a fir for long passes.

  Refleg on Roma's 6-0 loss to Napoli at the San Paolo Stadium st season, especially after Perrotta's absence, Spalletti also wathen the midfield. He had his eye on Napoli's Rakitic, who had shined in their matches against Roma.

  Additionally, Spalletti wanted a tag option and was ied in Napoli's winger, Gervinho.

  This made ti curious. "Are you targeting Napoli?"

  It seemed like Spalletti's rategy was, "If I 't beat them on the field, I'll steal their pyers."

  "When did Roma get so rich?" ti joked.

  But seeing Spalletti's serious expression, ti sighed.

  Talented managers did tend to have strong personalities.

  "Alright, I'll reach out to Napoli," ti said.

  ---

  At Arsenal's training ground in Kearney, North London, the team was already on break, but Arsène Wenger wasn't taking a holiday. He had important work to do.

  Thierry Henry was set to move to Bara, José Antonio Reyes was returning to La Liga to join Atlétiadrid, and Fredrik Ljungberg, no longer able to meet the team's needs, was also on his way out.

  As a result, Arsenal's front line was about to be gutted.

  Over the years, Wenger had watched as his favorite pyers left one by one. From Vieira to Pires, and now Henry and Ljungberg, Arsenal was no lohe "Invincibles" team that had oninated English football. Wenger had been forced to tighten the budget to help fihe club's adium, and now, even though they had survived the financial strain, he was still uo stop the exodus of top talent.

  Henry had told him he was moving to Bara to pursue his dream of winning the Champions League, and there was little Wenger could do to ge his mind.

  But that didn't make the situation any easier for him to accept.

  Just as Wenger was brooding over these losses, his assistant, Pat Rice, knocked on the door aered.

  "We just got news from Grimandi, our French scout."

  Seeing the urgen Rice's expression, Wenger was intrigued. "What's the situation?"

  "Napoli, the newly promoted Serie A team, just sent a fax to Auxerre. They're asking about Bacary Sagna."

  Wenger's heart sank.

  Sagna was the right-back he had been targeting for Arsenal. The Fren had pyed every game in Ligue 1 the previous season and had been he best right-ba the league. His physicality and all-around ability made him an ideal signing.

  "Napoli?" Wenger muttered, immediately thinking of a familiar figure.

  "That kid has good taste, going after my target."

  "So what do we do now?" Rice asked, ed. Strengthening the right wing was a key priority for Arsenal this summer, but Wenger had been stalling, trying to iate a better deal.

  "Agree to the terms. Offer 10 million euros, with a cuse to raise it to 12 million based on appearances. Let's sign Sagna as soon as possible before things get plicated," Wenger decided quickly.

  He had inally hoped to lower the price by another million, but now that Gao Shen was involved, he couldn't afford to wait any longer.

  "Got it. I'll send the fax right away," Rice said as he turo leave.

  "Wait, Pat," Wenger called out, stopping him.

  "What is it?"

  "Send another fax," Wenger said, a mischievous smile f on his lips.

  "To who?"

  "To Napoli," Wenger chuckled. "Gervinho had a solid season. He py on both wings, which could be useful. Let's sign him too. I want that kid to know if he messes with me, there's a price to pay!"

  Wenger ughed, already imagining the look on Gao Shen's face when he realized Arsenal had swooped in fervinho. It was a small bit of revenge f to steal Sagna, but in the world of football transfers, every move ted.

  "Let's see how he likes it," Wehought to himself, still chug as Pat Rice left to hahe paperwork.

  Gao Shen wasn't the only one who could py this game.