The match was over.
Players from both teams gradually returned to the locker room.
But the Amazon Stadium became even busier.
The Premier League had already sent over the championship trophy. As soon as the match ended and the players left the pitch, staff entered to set up the podium. An area in the stadium was also marked out specifically for media reporters to take photos.
Reporters from all over the world gathered in that area, forming a forest of cameras and microphones, ready for action.
The first to appear were not Leeds United players, but the coaching staff, medical team, analysts, and other first-team personnel.
They were all dressed in white commemorative jerseys designed by the high-street brand River Island to celebrate the team's title defense. They walked out of the players' tunnel and lined up along the sideline.
No one expected Leeds United's first-team staff to be so numerous. Just the coaching staff alone numbered over thirty. Including doctors, analysts, rehabilitation personnel, and other departments, the group stretched from the tunnel to the center podium, totaling around sixty or seventy people. It was astonishing.
As the Sky TV broadcast camera panned across the scene, the commentators couldn't hide their surprise.
The world knew Leeds United had strong logistical support, but few imagined they had so many people involved with the first team. And this was just those directly serving the squad, not even including other important departments like the methodology department or the big data center.
The last time a similar scene occurred was during last season's title ceremony, but Leeds didn't win the title at home, so there wasn't a chance for a full procession like tonight.
So tonight, Leeds United showcased their behind-the-scenes heroes to the world.
Most of them are not known to fans or the media. Many may even be completely unfamiliar to the outside world. But these are the people who serve the team, push it forward, and protect it.
Pochettino led the players back to the locker room, where they all changed into commemorative Leeds United championship jerseys.
When they returned, they found Gao Shen already waiting silently at the locker room entrance.
"Congratulations, Mauricio. Well done!"
Gao Shen stepped forward, gave Pochettino a high-five, then pulled him in for a hug.
"Thank you, Gao," Pochettino replied with a hearty laugh.
He had benefited greatly from the support he received, especially the guidance before the season began.
"I tried out a three-defender formation tonight. I still have a lot of ideas. We should find time to have dinner and talk about it properly," Pochettino said excitedly.
Gao Shen smiled and nodded. "Sure, no problem. But for now, go out there and accept your award."
With that, he gave him a gentle push toward the tunnel.
The players followed behind one by one, and when they saw Gao Shen, they all came over for high-fives and hugs.
Gao Shen shook hands with each player, offering his congratulations and thanks.
"You've all done fantastic! Leeds United and I are proud of you!"
This time, Leeds United brought a full squad, including young players like Sancho, Foden, Jon Amenée, and Declan Rice, who had limited playing time. All of them had the chance to go on stage and receive their awards.
The young players were clearly thrilled.
For many of them, this was their first time receiving the championship trophy on stage. It would be a memory they'd never forget.
Gao Shen encouraged each one individually, urging them to keep working hard.
...
After seeing off the final player, captain Jamie Vardy, who was the last to appear, Gao Shen turned and walked back to the stands.
The reason he went to the locker room to meet the players was that he didn't want to be on camera.
Tonight, the Amazon Stadium belonged to Pochettino and his players.
By the time Gao Shen returned to the owner's box, Pochettino was already on the podium, cheered on by the entire stadium.
Just moments earlier, Fernando Lucas and Rodolfo Borrell, who had been watching the match beside Gao Shen, had already gone pitchside with Premier League Chief Executive Susanna Dinnag.
Susanna Dinnag, dressed in red, is 51 years old and has over two decades of experience in the television industry.
Richard Scudamore, the former CEO of the Premier League, announced his departure last November. He had led the league for 20 years and made major contributions to the Premier League's global development.
Following his exit, the Premier League quickly formed a five-member selection committee, headed by Cheryl Bruce Barker, and hired a headhunting firm to search for his replacement.
The headhunting firm recommended three candidates: Susanna Dinnag, then CEO of Discovery Channel's Animal Planet; Tim Davies, BBC Director; and Tom Bates, Strategy Director of ITV.
Ultimately, the Premier League summit decided on Susanna Dinnag.
The reason was simple. Scudamore's globalization strategy had been extremely successful, with Premier League overseas broadcasting rights growing at double-digit rates each year. However, it was expected that the international market would soon reach a bottleneck.
The Premier League had begun exploring new media early on. For instance, Leeds United's sponsor, Amazon, was highly interested in acquiring rights, and Leeds played a key role in helping secure a 400 million euro package for a portion of the Premier League's broadcasting rights.
This deal happened under Scudamore, but everyone knew it was just the start.
Tech giants in Silicon Valley have set their sights on Premier League broadcasting. The rise of digital media is changing how people live, watch football, and interact socially.
Survey data shows that younger fans now prefer watching live matches on their phones.
So the Premier League made it clear that digital transformation and new media would be the next strategic priority.
The headhunting firm's report revealed that Susanna Dinnag had deep experience in this area.
Contrary to public perception, the Premier League CEO functions more like a steward. The league itself belongs to the 20 member clubs, although each has a different level of influence.
It's easy to understand why. Some clubs are constantly fighting relegation and face frequent personnel changes. A club that's in the league this year may be gone next year. Naturally, the bigger clubs have more say.
It's similar to the difference between permanent and non-permanent council members.
That's why Susanna Dinnag is very respectful toward owners like Gao Shen and Su Qing. She arrived in Leeds earlier today to discuss the Premier League's digital strategy and media direction with Gao Shen, Lucas, and others.
It's well known that Leeds United is at the forefront of digital innovation, with the most comprehensive experience in the league.
Even Amazon, the Premier League's current digital partner and a Leeds United sponsor, was introduced through Leeds.
At this moment, Gao Shen sat in the stands watching as Susanna Dinnag presented championship medals and the large Premier League trophy to the Leeds United staff and players.
...
When captain Jamie Vardy raised the trophy high above his head, the entire Amazon Stadium exploded in celebration.
Inside the stadium, 67,000 Leeds fans roared in unison. Outside the stadium, over 300,000 fans had gathered around Elland Road, watching the match live on their phones or on the big screen at Westfield Shopping Centre.
When Vardy lifted the trophy, the entire city erupted in cheer.
The scale was incredible.
From where Gao Shen sat, it felt like the stadium's suspended roof might shake from the noise.
This season, Leeds United not only won the Premier League title but also took home several individual awards.
With 33 goals and 11 assists, Mbappe became Leeds United's and the Premier League's best player, winning both the Golden Boot and Player of the Season awards.
He scored 11 more goals than Mane, Salah, and Vardy, who were tied for second place.
His goal-scoring efficiency made the French forward one of the most sought-after players in Europe. Everyone had witnessed the dramatic improvement and growth he made during his year at Leeds United.
In terms of shooting, skill, and overall maturity, Mbappe was clearly ahead of where he was during last year's World Cup.
Today, the French winger truly possessed the presence and performance of a world-class superstar.
But this also meant one thing: Leeds United would likely find it very difficult to keep Mbappe.
In addition to the Golden Boot, the Golden Glove also went to Leeds United's Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson.
The assist title was claimed by Ousmane Dembele, whose 16 assists edged out Eden Hazard's 15 to become the season's top provider.
Unfortunately, while Haaland made headlines by scoring in five consecutive matches at the end of the season, the young striker ultimately lost out to Raheem Sterling for the Young Player of the Year award.
De Ligt had been a strong contender too, but he also lost to Sterling.
Mbappe and Dembele, having already claimed the Golden Boot and assist titles respectively, were not in the running for the Young Player award.
Pochettino beat Guardiola to win Manager of the Season.
As for the Team of the Season, Alisson took the goalkeeper spot. The defense featured Robertson, Laporte, De Ligt, and Arnold.
The midfield included Milinkovic, Fernandinho, and Bernardo Silva.
The front three were Mbappe, Vardy, and Sterling.
From this list, it's clear that Leeds United and Manchester City—by far the two best-performing teams—took nearly every position. It was very difficult for players from other clubs to compete.
Even Sterling's inclusion over Hazard and Dembele in the Team of the Season was somewhat controversial.
But there's nothing to be done. Premier League awards have always favored homegrown players.
Besides, Leeds United had already won so many honors that they weren't concerned about missing one spot in the best XI.
(To be continued.)