Chapter 53
It is extremely rare in European football for a head coach to resign before the league officially begins.
Yet, Real Madrid has managed to make this bizarre event happen not once but twice.
Even more absurd, it was the same person on both occasions.
In 1998, Real Madrid dismissed Jupp Heynckes, the coach who had led them to Champions League glory, and appointed their legendary captain Camacho. However, Camacho, one of the club's top ten legendary figures, resigned just 21 days after taking the job, citing a conflict with then-club president Lorenzo Sanz over the appointment of a fitness coach.
Six years later, Camacho lasted significantly longer this time, 55 days to be exact.
Moreover, this time, he managed to coach two official matches—both ending in disastrous defeats.
Yang Hao didn't notice the news immediately after the match. A journalist from Marca had texted him that evening, but he only saw the messages the next morning.
When he woke up and checked, he was floored. The story dominated every major news outlet in Spain.
Camacho resigning was an earthquake in Spanish football.
As a coach, Camacho was highly respected and well-known in Spain, even if his managerial record didn't include any extraordinary achievements. The real issue, though, was that this marked the second time he resigned before a season could fully take off. It was unprecedented and utterly baffling.
While Camacho didn't disclose specific reasons for his resignation, media outlets buzzed with speculation.
After all, it wasn't just a coaching change—it was an event that shocked the entirety of Spain and the European football world.
The Fallout According to AS
In its detailed coverage, AS broke down the events leading to Camacho's resignation.
Following the 4–0 thrashing by Atlético Madrid, Camacho called Real Madrid's sporting director Piri and informed him he could no longer lead the team.
Piri, taken aback, immediately called Florentino Pérez.
The Real Madrid president personally called Camacho, trying to persuade him to stay.
No one was more aware of the consequences of Camacho's resignation than Florentino. For starters, Camacho had been instrumental in stabilizing Florentino's re-election campaign this summer. His appointment and the signing of Joaquín had been decisive factors in Florentino's success.
If Camacho walked away now, Florentino would be the first to bear the brunt of the fallout. Fans would undoubtedly direct their frustrations at him.
However, Camacho made it clear he had no intention of returning to Valdebebas. His decision was final.
Real Madrid's official statement, which included the phrase "could not persuade him to stay," underscored this irrevocable decision.
Clash with the Superstars
AS suggested that one of the primary reasons for Camacho's resignation was the irreconcilable rift between him and the team's superstar players.
From the moment he took the job, Camacho publicly declared his intention to discipline the locker room. This approach was largely encouraged by the board, as Real Madrid's management wanted someone capable of controlling the egos in their star-studded squad.
Camacho's strict demeanor, however, immediately rubbed many players the wrong way. Ronaldo, in particular, was vocal in interviews, subtly advising Camacho to tread carefully.
These initial rumblings foreshadowed deeper issues.
During preseason training, Camacho emphasized fitness, attributing Real Madrid's collapse in the latter half of the previous season to the squad's poor physical condition. However, his grueling training regimen quickly alienated the players, leading to frequent clashes.
On multiple occasions during preseason, Camacho publicly criticized players by name in front of media and cameras. This brazen approach further incensed the team's stars, who were accustomed to being treated with reverence by previous managers like Vicente del Bosque and Carlos Queiroz.
Tensions boiled over during Real Madrid's U.S. tour.
Returning to Spain, the team faced Atlético Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup. A 4–2 loss at the Santiago Bernabéu in the first leg exacerbated frustrations among fans and players alike.
"Camacho privately vented to reporters, complaining that certain stars were untouchable and couldn't be criticized," AS reported. "He lamented that some players weren't taking the game seriously, treating matches like a joke."
On the other hand, Roberto Carlos publicly countered, accusing Camacho of being disrespectful. "We're human beings," Carlos said in a post-match interview. "We need to be treated with respect."
Initially, many believed the situation could be resolved behind closed doors. However, the 4–0 humiliation in the second leg against Atlético shattered any remaining hope for reconciliation.
With no support from the locker room—save for a few loyalists like Raúl and Guti—Camacho realized his position was untenable.
Inside Information from Marca
Marca offered additional insights into the saga, highlighting tensions that had been brewing since the summer transfer window.
Camacho had submitted a wish list of players, including defenders like Lucio and Ricardo Carvalho. However, the club opted for Walter Samuel, a decision Camacho did not endorse. Similarly, the signings of Michael Owen and Joaquín were made without his approval, as he believed they would only intensify competition within the squad.
The sale of Fernando Morientes further strained relations between Camacho and Real Madrid's management.
"Camacho saw Morientes as a critical piece—a striker who could score crucial goals and provide tactical flexibility. He was frustrated that the club prioritized Ronaldo and Raúl's partnership, even though it lacked aerial dominance."
Ultimately, the combination of transfer disagreements, internal locker room conflicts, and public criticism proved too much for Camacho.
When Florentino called Camacho to plead with him to stay, the coach reportedly responded:
"I signed with this club to compete for trophies. But after these two months, it's clear that's impossible. This Real Madrid has been devoured by its stars, and I no longer believe I can lead this team to the success you expect."
What's Next for Real Madrid?
Following Camacho's resignation, Real Madrid announced that assistant coach and goalkeeping coach Mariano García Remón would serve as interim manager while the club searched for a permanent replacement.
The debacle sent shockwaves through the football world, leaving Real Madrid scrambling to salvage their season.
Due to the new season being just around the corner, and with other leagues already underway, Real Madrid faced significant difficulties in their coaching search. After all, it was practically impossible to poach head coaches already leading teams.
As such, the candidates for the Real Madrid job included England national team coach Sven-Göran Eriksson, Beşiktaş manager Vicente del Bosque, and former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who was currently without a team. However, the likelihood of any of these managers taking the job seemed slim.
Considering the chaos within Real Madrid, only someone with a deep connection to the club—or a true romantic—would dare step into the tumultuous dressing room at this time.
Many Spanish media outlets expressed concern, stating that before the La Liga season had even started, Real Madrid's drama had already cast a shadow over the campaign, leaving the club's prospects looking bleak.
In Atlético Madrid's coaching office, as Yang Hao and his assistants discussed Camacho's resignation at Real Madrid, Paraleles suddenly interjected with an intriguing question:
"Do you think Joaquín regrets his decision?"
Yang Hao had access to some insider channels and was able to get a sense of what was happening behind the scenes at Real Madrid. But overall, it was similar to what Marca and AS had analyzed. Both newspapers had deep connections to Real Madrid's inner workings, so their information was much more detailed than the average report.
Of course, some details were deliberately withheld from publication.
For instance, an AS reporter once told Yang Hao that Florentino Pérez had already realized there were problems with Real Madrid's Galácticos strategy when he appointed Camacho.
"He privately told several people that he deeply regretted not listening to your advice back then. He admitted that not heeding your warnings had led to the club's collapse over the past two seasons. He now fully understands the flaws in the Galácticos strategy."
"Everything Camacho tried to implement at Real Madrid had Florentino's approval. Yet, even so, the pressure became unbearable for Camacho, and he ultimately chose to resign."
Yang Hao wasn't surprised by this revelation because the two men had fundamentally different goals.
As president of Real Madrid, Florentino wanted Camacho to realign the Galácticos strategy with reality. The Galácticos project was his election platform and his greatest contribution to the club. If it collapsed, Florentino's presidency would also come to an end.
However, Camacho's goal was to mold Real Madrid into a competitive, cohesive unit. Ideally, he would have preferred to discard the aging superstars altogether.
Florentino sought stability, while Camacho wanted sweeping change. Their visions were fundamentally misaligned.
These were matters the press couldn't report. If they were made public, it would ignite even greater turmoil within the club, especially in the dressing room.
Yang Hao knew better than to share this information, as it wouldn't achieve anything.
As for whether Joaquín might regret his decision...
Well, that was hard to say.
For a player, choosing the right path in their career is often more important than anything else.
Take Santiago Solari, for example.
If he had chosen to stay at Atlético Madrid back then, he might have secured a significant role in Yang Hao's team because he genuinely had great talent.
Joaquín is like a more expensive, more skilled version of Solari.
Having just transferred to Real Madrid and facing this chaos, what could he do? All he could do was focus on training and improving.
Yang Hao's primary concern wasn't that Real Madrid would neglect Joaquín—the club wouldn't bench an €80 million star like they might with a squad player like Solari.
What worried him more was Joaquín's personality.
Youthful arrogance—bordering on brashness—was always an issue Yang Hao had to manage with him. Yang Hao often tried to temper his attitude, knowing that Joaquín had an innate desire to be the center of attention, to dominate not just European football but the global stage.
This ambition was both a strength and a potential pitfall.
Yang Hao recalled that in his previous life, Joaquín faced criticism under coaches Luis Aragonés and Luis César Sampedro, particularly regarding his attitude. By 2005, he had already begun to slump.
This wasn't unusual for players, especially those who achieve early fame.
It was reminiscent of how Cristiano Ronaldo was often criticized in Yang Hao's previous life for being overly arrogant and obsessive.
But Yang Hao admired those traits in Ronaldo.
It was precisely Ronaldo's arrogance and obsession that made him the player he was. Without those qualities, he wouldn't have achieved the same level of greatness.
For professional players, these traits aren't necessarily bad—they simply need to be managed correctly.
As for whether Joaquín regretted joining Real Madrid, Yang Hao didn't waste much thought on it.
What's the point of regret?
Could Atlético Madrid take him back?
Even if Yang Hao wanted to, he didn't have the financial means. That €80 million transfer fee was long out of his control.
Yang Hao sighed dramatically, "Ah, it feels a bit lonely, a bit dull without Real Madrid as a real competitor this season!"
Juanma Lillo and the other assistants exchanged looks, exasperated, before nearly making a hand gesture of disbelief at Yang Hao.
Seriously? We can't believe you're pretending like this right now!
Yang Hao didn't have much time to dwell on Camacho's situation or even properly celebrate Atlético Madrid's Spanish Super Cup victory.
After the match, he allowed the team a day to rest at the Calderón. Then, leaving the squad under Juanma Lillo's guidance, he boarded a private jet with Miguel Gil and Enrique Cerezo, accompanied by several players, heading to Monaco.
Yang Hao wasn't one to enthusiastically attend UEFA events, such as the elite coaches' summit or the late August awards ceremony. However, sometimes attendance was unavoidable, especially when you were winning awards—it would be rude not to show up.
In 2004, a year marked by the European Championship, the ceremony would not only honor the previous season's best performers but also celebrate standout players from Euro 2004. Greece, as champions, was sure to steal the spotlight.
Upon arriving at Monaco's Grimaldi Forum, the venue was already bustling.
Enrique Cerezo, once respected mainly in Spanish football, had gained significant clout across Europe. With Atlético Madrid's historic treble, the club's profile had skyrocketed, and Cerezo's influence rose in tandem.
"Nowadays, anytime someone mentions Atlético Madrid, it's all about praising our excellent management. Sometimes I feel embarrassed by how much they flatter us," quipped Miguel Gil, watching Cerezo mingling with the crowd.
"I don't see why you'd feel embarrassed," Yang Hao replied.
"Come on, you know the truth better than anyone," Miguel Gil retorted. "Do you think Atlético Madrid's success came from some masterful management strategy? I still don't fully understand how we pulled it off."
"Imagine me trying to give a lecture on our club's management. What am I supposed to say? That the secret is finding a coach like Yang Hao and handing him control of everything—from organizational reform to youth development, transfers, and even the construction of a new stadium? Yeah, just let the coach do it all."
As Miguel Gil spoke, he couldn't help but shake his head. "I can guarantee you, if I really said all that, everyone would think I was making stuff up. They'd probably kick me out for being so dismissive."
Miguel Gil gave an awkward laugh, feeling genuinely embarrassed. The irony, however, was that this was the truth.
From the outside, most people believed Atlético Madrid's success was due not only to Yang Hao's coaching but also to the stellar management of Enrique Cerezo and Miguel Gil. Only they, along with Atlético's upper management, knew just how pivotal Yang Hao's role truly was.
"You shouldn't sell yourself short," Yang Hao remarked. "You do have your strengths."
Miguel Gil raised an eyebrow. "Strengths? What strengths?"
Yang Hao hesitated for a moment before grinning. "Well... for one, you're generous with your shares!"
"Get lost!" Miguel Gil shouted, mimicking Yang Hao's signature catchphrase.
Every time this subject came up, Miguel Gil felt a twinge of frustration. Ever since Lionel Messi debuted last season, his meteoric rise had been unstoppable. Clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Inter Milan—essentially every major powerhouse in Europe—were circling like sharks.
Now, Miguel Gil couldn't help but wonder how many more shares he'd have to allocate to Yang Hao once the new stadium was complete.
"Don't worry," Yang Hao teased with a sly grin. "I'll give you the friends-and-family discount."
For Yang Hao, being a Chinese coach in Spanish football came with its challenges. Without figures like Enrique Cerezo and Miguel Gil at the helm, navigating those challenges would've been far more arduous.
Enrique Cerezo was the epitome of a skilled networker. Wherever he went, he seemed to know someone, always able to strike up a conversation. Miguel Gil, meanwhile, inherited Atlético Madrid with legitimacy and familial ties.
Despite the turmoil that the Gil family had brought to Atlético in the past—almost leading the club to relegation—fans still respected them.
Sometimes, Yang Hao found this kind of loyalty from fans to be a bit blind. Not in a negative way, but rather in how unconditional it was.
Fans didn't care about grand strategies or overarching visions. All they wanted was for the team to give its all every single match. Winning or losing wasn't the issue—it was about effort.
Similarly, they didn't necessarily care how capable the management was. As long as they believed management was genuinely devoted to the club and willing to invest, they would support them.
Just as Inter Milan fans admired Moratti, Atlético fans respected the Gil family.
This dynamic made many of Yang Hao's initiatives easier to implement.
Take the new stadium, for instance.
Thanks to the momentum from the treble, Atlético Madrid swiftly secured approvals from the mayor and city council to begin construction.
That success, seemingly so straightforward, was in reality fraught with hurdles and red tape.
With Enrique Cerezo and Miguel Gil leading the charge, it was a domestic matter. Had Yang Hao been the one in charge, the project would've been seen as a foreign investment, with entirely different complications.
That's why Yang Hao felt the current arrangement at Atlético Madrid—a three-pronged partnership—was perfect. Everyone depended on each other, fostering open cooperation.
"Do you know the biggest difference between you and Enrique Cerezo?" Yang Hao asked suddenly.
"What?" Miguel Gil asked, genuinely curious.
"You care too much about appearances."
Miguel Gil froze for a moment. "Wait, is that a compliment or an insult?"
Yang Hao chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "Figure it out yourself."
Before his reincarnation, Yang Hao had been reading a book by Feng Tang called Fearless, which summarized the nine virtues of middle-aged men: shamelessness, patience, and fearlessness.
Among these, Yang Hao believed shamelessness was paramount.
As an old internet saying went: A tree without bark will surely die, but a man without shame is invincible.
It was clear that shamelessness was a powerful tool.
"Hello, boss!"
"Deco! Great to see you."
Yang Hao walked up and hugged the Brazilian midfielder.
"Boss!" Adriano appeared from the side.
"Hey, Adriano!"
By now, Yang Hao could almost boast of having disciples spread across football's elite. He had helped develop a fair number of players over the years.
Many of the evening's awards were fairly predictable.
For instance, the award for Best Goalkeeper would undoubtedly go to Atlético's Petr Čech. The Czech shot-stopper, though only 22 years old, had shown tremendous growth over the past two seasons. His performances during Atlético's treble-winning campaign were especially critical.
Čech, already a reliable and composed presence, was known in La Liga for his incredible reflexes and command of the box. At 1.96 meters tall, he was the ideal height for a goalkeeper, combining agility and speed in a way rarely seen in players of his stature. With Atlético's coaching, his skills had only sharpened. Many now viewed him as the heir apparent to Buffon, soon to be the world's best goalkeeper.
For defenders, the award would likely go to Ricardo Carvalho. If it were up to Yang Hao, he would have picked Lucio, but Carvalho's consistency and fewer errors made him the safer choice for the panel. That said, Lucio's tactical importance to Atlético couldn't be overstated.
In midfield, there was no contest: Deco was the clear favorite.
For forwards, Didier Drogba had a chance, but Adriano's presence at the event made the outcome obvious.
As for the UEFA Best Coach award, it was unquestionably Yang Hao's to take.
This was largely because UEFA had separated the awards for the Champions League and Euro 2004. Otto Rehhagel would be recognized for Greece's European Championship miracle, while Yang Hao's achievements in leading Atlético Madrid to the treble secured his win.
If UEFA had combined the awards, Yang Hao suspected Rehhagel might have edged him out.
This arrangement seemed like UEFA's way of ensuring both legends were honored. One represented Spain's historic treble; the other, Greece's fairy tale. Both were legendary in their own right.
As expected, the final awards matched Yang Hao's predictions.
Atlético Madrid might have won just one award for Best Goalkeeper, with Deco taking both Best Player and Best Midfielder, Carvalho winning Best Defender, and Adriano named Best Forward, but in truth, Atlético was the biggest winner of the evening.
Yang Hao was eager to use these accolades to attract more young talent to the club.
If Real Madrid was known for its stars, Atlético aimed to become famous for creating stars.
At this stage, gaining such a reputation was invaluable for the club.
The awards ceremony was interspersed with the Champions League group stage draw.
After years of laying low, Atlético Madrid was finally able to hold its head high this season.
The team had officially been placed in Pot 1, joining the elite as one of the top-seeded clubs.
For the first time, all four Spanish teams in the competition were seeded.
Despite missing out on the Champions League in recent years, Barcelona still had a strong UEFA coefficient.
On the way to the event, Yang Hao had been studying the rankings of the 32 teams in this year's competition. Spain's dominance was clear: all its teams were top seeds. England had two teams in Pot 1, as did Germany's Bayern Munich and Portugal's Porto.
This reflected the current landscape of European football. Spain's strength was undeniable.
Italy's four teams were all in Pot 2, along with Chelsea and Liverpool.
This meant that for Atlético, the best-case scenario would be drawing the weakest team from Pot 2—Panathinaikos.
In Pot 3, Bayer Leverkusen was the strongest opponent. Monaco, having sold several key players, had weakened. Ajax and PSV Eindhoven were still formidable.
As for Pot 4, Werder Bremen was a team everyone wanted to avoid. Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kyiv, and Lokomotiv Moscow were challenging too, particularly in the freezing winter months.
Traveling to Ukraine or Russia in September wouldn't be too bad, but Yang Hao preferred to avoid facing teams like Chelsea, Inter Milan, or Liverpool early on.
The results of the draw proved that Yang Hao was no protagonist in a novel, let alone some "chosen one."
Atlético's draws were always either mediocre or challenging—never the kind of dream scenarios some clubs seemed to land.
What would a dream draw look like?
In Yang Hao's opinion, it would mean drawing Panathinaikos from Pot 2, Sparta Prague from Pot 3, and anyone from Pot 4 except Werder Bremen.
Such a group would virtually guarantee a smooth path to the knockout stage, allowing him to use the last three matches for squad rotation.
But the reality?
Atlético drew Roma from Pot 2, Paris Saint-Germain from Pot 3, and Werder Bremen from Pot 4.
Great—Atlético had representatives from Spain, Italy, France, and Germany in its group.
While none of these teams seemed capable of dethroning Atlético as group leaders, the danger lay in unpredictability. If Roma, PSG, or Bremen performed exceptionally well—or if Atlético slipped up—the group stage could become a nightmare.
When the draw results were announced, reactions were mixed.
In an interview at the venue, Yang Hao confidently remarked, "Regardless of which teams we face, we'll be considered favorites. But we know there's no such thing as an easy match in the Champions League."
Meanwhile, bookmakers were updating their odds, factoring in the draw results to determine potential champions. Arsenal, having secured an easy group, was surprisingly listed as the top favorite to win the tournament.
Yang Hao found this amusing, wondering how Arsène Wenger felt about being suddenly thrust into the spotlight.
Despite failing to secure a treble last season, Inter Milan remained among the favorites, alongside Arsenal and AC Milan.
AC Milan, bolstered by the signing of Jaap Stam, looked incredibly strong on paper.
However, Yang Hao suspected that the famous "Istanbul Miracle" of his previous life—the dramatic 2005 Champions League final—wouldn't happen this time.
Why? Because two of the key players from that match, AC Milan's Kaká and Liverpool's Xabi Alonso, were now both playing for Atlético Madrid.
Even if AC Milan and Liverpool crossed paths again, it wouldn't be the same story.
While this was somewhat disappointing, football was ever-changing.
Despite being the reigning treble winners and Spanish Super Cup champions, Atlético Madrid was ranked only seventh among the bookmakers' favorites, trailing behind Chelsea, Barcelona, and Manchester United.
The reasoning was clear: Atlético had sold four key players over the summer, weakening its overall strength.
While the Super Cup thrashing of Real Madrid was impressive, their true capabilities would only be revealed once the league began.
Additionally, no team had successfully defended their Champions League title since the tournament's format change, further lowering Atlético's odds.
While Yang Hao attended the draw in Monaco and prepared his team for the UEFA Super Cup, another event was unfolding in Athens, Greece, where Marcelo Bielsa's Argentina Olympic team won gold, defeating Paraguay in the final.
Atlético's Javier Mascherano had played every minute of every match, delivering outstanding performances. His standout moment came in the semifinal against Italy, where he completely neutralized AC Milan's star player Andrea Pirlo.
However, the tournament's brightest star was Carlos Tevez.
The 20-year-old "Beast" outshone Javier Saviola, becoming a key player for Argentina. His performances earned him widespread acclaim and boosted his reputation on the global stage.
Upon hearing the news, Yang Hao immediately called Mascherano to congratulate him on winning Olympic gold and expressed his high expectations for the upcoming season.
Mascherano would return to Argentina for post-tournament celebrations, delaying his return to Atlético.
With La Liga's first round and international matches scheduled for early September, Yang Hao decided to give him a longer break, allowing him to rejoin the squad after the international break.
This, however, posed a headache for Yang Hao.
Balancing playing time between Xabi Alonso, Marcos Senna, and Mascherano—three top-tier defensive midfielders—was shaping up to be a significant challenge.
August 27, Stade Louis II, Monaco.
The UEFA Super Cup saw Atlético Madrid face Valencia.
After winning last season's UEFA Cup and finishing as La Liga runners-up, Valencia's coach Rafael Benítez had moved to Liverpool in the Premier League.
Chelsea, meanwhile, had hired Porto's coach José Mourinho, leading to Claudio Ranieri's departure.
In a surprising twist, Valencia brought Ranieri back.
Despite his reserved demeanor, Ranieri wasted no time making bold moves.
The club spent €17 million to sign Fiore from Lazio, €11 million to acquire Di Vaio from Juventus, and €10 million for Corradi from Lazio.
Atlético Madrid's two original forwards had been offloaded by Ranieri, with Brazilian Oliveira sold to Real Betis for €4.5 million and John Carew to Besiktas for €3.5 million. Yang Hao found these moves baffling.
For example, Fiore, at 29 years old, was still sold for €17 million? If it were up to Yang Hao, he wouldn't have bought him at all.
The UEFA Super Cup was Valencia's first official match of the season, and Ranieri clearly intended to use Atlético Madrid as a test for his players and his carefully constructed 4-4-2 formation.
Yes, like Real Madrid, Valencia also played a 4-4-2 system.
Under Benítez, Valencia had consistently employed a 4-2-3-1 setup in recent seasons, but that was no longer the case.
Having brought in both Di Vaio and Corradi, Ranieri naturally wanted to field both forwards, necessitating a switch to a two-striker formation.
Then there was Fiore, signed for €17 million—a significant sum for Valencia—who also needed to play.
With high expectations, Ranieri confidently deployed his 4-4-2 formation.
Yang Hao quickly noticed something odd.
Valencia's lineup was:
Goalkeeper: CañizaresDefense: Carboni, Pellegrino, Navarro, Curro TorresMidfield: Vicente, Albelda, Mohamed Sissoko, FioreForwards: Corradi, Di Vaio
From the opening whistle, Valencia's tactics looked entirely different from the high-pressing, fast-paced style of the Benítez era.
Ranieri's 4-4-2 was more reminiscent of Serie A, slow and methodical.
Initially unsure of Ranieri's strategy, Yang Hao opted for caution.
But as the match began, the slow pace became evident. It didn't resemble a clash between two La Liga teams; it felt more like a tactical tug-of-war between two Serie A sides.
Yang Hao quickly adjusted, ordering Atlético to attack.
By the 11th minute, Fernando Torres received a pass from Ribéry on the right and unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box. Cañizares managed to block it, but the rebound fell to Kaká, who stormed into the box from the left and slotted it past Navarro to give Atlético a 1-0 lead.
Yang Hao gestured for his team to press forward.
"Seriously, it's 2004, and they're still playing a 4-4-2? This is just asking for trouble!"
He couldn't believe Ranieri hadn't realized that most La Liga teams had adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Throughout the first half, Atlético pushed Valencia back, maintaining high defensive lines and relentlessly pressing and attacking.
Valencia's double pivot—Albelda and Mohamed Sissoko—were outstanding defensively, barely keeping things together.
Atlético created chance after chance, but Cañizares was in inspired form, denying them repeatedly.
In the 31st minute, Torres drifted to the left, forming an attacking triangle with Robben and Kaká. A cross-field pass from Kaká found Dani Alves on the right, who controlled the ball and whipped it into the near post.
Baraja surged forward and headed it past Cañizares, making it 2-0 for Atlético.
Before halftime, Atlético had more opportunities. Lucio's header from a corner struck the crossbar, Torres narrowly missed with a shot, and Baraja's long-range effort was saved by Cañizares.
The first half ended with Atlético completely dominating Valencia, leaving their opponents struggling to respond.
In the second half, Ranieri adjusted Valencia's tactics, increasing their midfield pressure and encouraging more aggressive challenges.
Clearly, during the break, Ranieri had instructed his players to intensify their efforts against Atlético.
This led to Norwegian referee Terje Hauge handing out three yellow cards shortly after the restart—two to Valencia players and one to Atlético.
In the 67th minute, Valencia managed to pull one back. Vicente broke through on the left and delivered a cross, which Di Vaio headed home, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
However, minutes later, Atlético nearly extended their lead when Baraja's header from a corner struck the crossbar for the second time in the match.
During halftime, Yang Hao made a tactical switch, swapping Ribéry to the left and Robben to the right to test their compatibility as the "Robbery" duo.
Although they had tried this in preseason, this was the first official match featuring the pairing.
In the 77th minute, Marcos Senna intercepted the ball in midfield and passed it forward to substitute Iniesta, who carried it into the attack before laying it off to Ribéry on the left.
The Frenchman, nicknamed "Scarface," took the ball, cut inside past Curro Torres, dribbled through Mohamed Sissoko, and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot.
The ball sailed past Cañizares into the top-right corner of Valencia's net.
3-1!
The Stade Louis II erupted in cheers for Atlético Madrid.
The scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle.
Atlético Madrid defeated Valencia 3-1 to claim their fifth trophy!
On the night of August 30, a panoramic view of Madrid revealed a city ablaze with lights. Countless streets and alleys, like a network of capillaries, intersected across the vast metropolis.
If you listened closely, you could hear faint cheers emanating from bars tucked away in these streets, from public squares at every corner, and from brightly lit shopping centers. These murmurs of celebration flowed together, merging into a powerful roar above Madrid.
Through it all, one chant could be distinctly heard: "Long live Atlético!"
Getting closer, you could see bars with TVs, public squares with massive screens, and malls with projectors broadcasting the opening match of the 2004/05 La Liga season—a highly anticipated clash between Atlético Madrid and Málaga at the Calderón Stadium.
The match hadn't started yet.
The broadcast showed Atlético's players walking onto the Calderón pitch, carrying five gleaming championship trophies, while Málaga's players formed a guard of honor to welcome them.
Inside the stadium, over 50,000 Atlético fans erupted in cheers, unleashing their unrestrained joy.
Five trophies!
This marked the first time in La Liga history that a team had achieved such an honor. It was also a historic milestone in European football, as Atlético became the first club to win five trophies in a single season.
After Atlético's victory in the UEFA Super Cup, UEFA immediately sent a congratulatory message to the club. The Spanish Football Federation and La Liga followed suit with their own accolades.
This wasn't just Atlético's achievement; it was a triumph for Spanish football as a whole.
The day after the Super Cup win, Spain's King Juan Carlos conveyed his congratulations on behalf of the royal family, while Crown Prince Felipe personally called Yang Hao to extend his best wishes to him and the players.
Spain's Prime Minister, the Madrid city government, and various other government bodies also sent their congratulations to Atlético, filling the club's fans with unparalleled pride.
In the past, even during their double-winning campaigns, Atlético had to live in the shadow of Real Madrid, forever playing second fiddle to their city rivals. But times had changed.
While Real Madrid floundered in chaos following the resignation of Camacho, Atlético quietly reached their peak. The five trophies served as undeniable proof.
As Atlético's players carried their five championship trophies onto the pitch, every Atlético fan inside the stadium, throughout Madrid, across Spain, and even around the globe celebrated.
Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was present at the Calderón that evening, shaking hands with the Atlético players and Yang Hao. Accompanying him were Crown Prince Felipe and Madrid's Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón.
The match was broadcast live across Spain and to millions of football fans worldwide.
Prince Felipe, Atlético's honorary president, spoke first. He expressed his pride as an Atlético fan and thanked Yang Hao and the players for bringing glory to the club. He urged them to continue striving to make Atlético even greater.
Prime Minister Zapatero then addressed the crowd, stating that Atlético's five trophies were not just the club's achievement but a triumph for Spanish football. He commended the club's management, coaches, and players for their exceptional contributions.
Finally, Mayor Gallardón spoke. Yang Hao had heard from Miguel Gil and Enrique Cerezo about the mayor's ambitions and capabilities. Unlike the corruption scandals that plagued Spanish politics, Gallardón was known for his open-minded approach, earning praise as a reformist within Spain's conservative People's Party.
Since his election in 2003, Gallardón had launched numerous reforms to modernize Madrid.
That night, standing in the Calderón and addressing a nationwide audience, Gallardón unveiled his ambitious "Madrid Urban Renewal Plan."
He announced a plan to transform the M30 ring road, burying it underground and turning the Manzanares River area into a riverside park, creating more public recreational spaces.
This ambitious project would involve six phases of redevelopment across the M30, with infrastructure investments exceeding €6 billion and a total project budget exceeding €10 billion.
Gallardón described it as the most significant municipal project in Madrid's history.
Why announce it at Atlético's home?
Because the Calderón and the adjacent Mahou Brewery redevelopment were core components of the plan.
Pointing to the southeast corner of the stadium, Gallardón explained how the M30 currently passed beneath the iconic Toledo Bridge, ruining the area's aesthetics. By moving the road underground, the bridge would integrate seamlessly with Atlético's new stadium and the revitalized neighborhood.
Once completed, the area would feature Madrid's Riverside Park, making it one of the most beautiful, livable, and modern parts of the city.
Atlético's new stadium project was set to break ground, with urban planning well underway. The entire plan was expected to be completed by 2011.
Standing in the middle of the stadium, Yang Hao listened to Gallardón's speech. The mayor was clearly a gifted orator, skilled at rousing enthusiasm. Though he spoke at length, the atmosphere was electric, with the crowd fully engaged.
Yang Hao realized that Gallardón had likely been eyeing the Calderón and Mahou Brewery sites for redevelopment for some time, held back only by financial constraints. Now, with Atlético and MSM Group stepping in, it was a perfect match.
The city's grand urban renewal plan not only promised to transform Madrid but also bolstered Gallardón's political prospects.
Yang Hao couldn't help but admire the mayor's vision, giving him a silent thumbs-up.
"Truly, the best strategists don't walk the main roads, and real geniuses don't wear capes," Yang Hao thought with amusement.
Whether it was defiance or determination, Málaga approached the match with disruptive tactics.
From the opening whistle, their players were aggressive and physical, clearly aiming to ruin Atlético's celebratory night, much like Atlético once disrupted Real Madrid's centenary celebration.
It wasn't until the 14th minute that Atlético registered their first shot, with Torres firing a saved effort after receiving a through ball from Iniesta.
Málaga's defender Juanito frequently fouled, and their relentless pressing disrupted Atlético's rhythm.
But this wasn't the old Atlético. The current team was used to being targeted and knew how to remain patient.
In the 24th minute, Kaká delivered a perfect through ball to Torres, who timed his run to perfection and slotted it home to open the scoring.
The Calderón erupted.
Just five minutes later, Torres returned the favor, setting up Kaká for a long-range strike that doubled Atlético's lead.
With two goals in quick succession, Atlético controlled possession, pulling Málaga's defense apart while maintaining dominance. Though they didn't score again in the first half, Málaga rarely posed any threat.
In the second half, Atlético continued to dictate play. In the 52nd minute, Kaká provided a diagonal pass to Villa, who calmly slotted it into the bottom corner.
3-0.
In the 69th minute, Ribéry stormed down the left, cut inside the box, and squared the ball for Torres to tap home.
4-0.
Yang Hao then made several substitutions, including giving Messi and two other young players game time. Though they didn't add to the scoreline, the match ended with a resounding 4-0 victory.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid, under their interim coach, narrowly defeated Mallorca 1-0 in their first match since Camacho's departure.
Deportivo La Coruña drew 1-1 away against Espanyol.
Barcelona secured a 2-0 victory over Racing Santander.
Valencia won 2-1 at home against Villarreal.
Ultimately, Atlético Madrid's 4-0 home victory placed them at the top of La Liga after the first round.
Starting the season atop the league standings, Atlético's performance amazed the entire Spanish football community. Particularly notable was that after selling four key players over the summer, Atlético managed to secure four wins in August, including two decisive victories over Real Madrid and a UEFA Super Cup triumph against Valencia. Yang Hao's team once again delivered a remarkable performance.
As Marca described it:
"Judging by Atlético's past seasons under Yang Hao, even after selling players, as long as Yang Hao remains, Atlético continues to be the strongest contender for the La Liga title—and perhaps even the outright favorite!"
Marca also revealed that after the opening match at the Calderón, the newly appointed Spanish national team coach Luis Aragonés visited Atlético's dressing room. He extended an invitation to Yang Hao, asking him to attend Spain's friendly against Scotland in Valencia on September 2.
"Aragonés greatly admires Yang Hao's tactical philosophy and sharp instincts. With Atlético's rise in recent years, more and more of their players are becoming key figures in the Spanish national team."
"The Spanish 'Wise Man' invited Yang Hao to watch the match, hoping to hear his insights about the national team."
According to Marca, Yang Hao, out of respect for their personal relationship, accepted Aragonés's invitation.
"This means his early September will be extremely busy."
After the match against Málaga, Atlético's squad dispersed as players headed off for international duty.
Atlético was now home to many international players. Even young talents like Messi and Sergio Ramos had been called up for various levels of national teams or youth tournaments. As a result, every international break left Atlético's training base at Majadahonda feeling deserted.
However, players like Franck Ribéry and Marcos Senna, who had yet to be selected for their respective national teams, stayed behind to train under the guidance of Atlético's coaching staff.
As for Yang Hao, the day after the Málaga game, he boarded a flight to UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, to attend the annual UEFA Elite Coaches Forum. The event lasted two days.
Initially, Yang Hao had no plans to attend, but he couldn't refuse. During the awards ceremony in Monaco, UEFA President Lennart Johansson personally extended the invitation, giving Yang Hao little room to decline.
"As the saying goes, one can't bite the hand that feeds. How could I refuse again?"
For UEFA, not having the hottest young coach in world football attend the forum each year was a blow to its credibility. Yang Hao's presence added significant prestige to the event.
By the time Yang Hao arrived in Nyon, the forum had already begun, though the group photo session wasn't scheduled until the afternoon.
The forum was attended by many legendary figures, such as Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger, both of whom were regular participants. Carlo Ancelotti, José Mourinho, Héctor Cúper, and others had also been invited.
From La Liga, Rijkaard and Irureta were familiar faces.
Privately meeting Yang Hao in such an exclusive gathering delighted the other coaches. Naturally, they seized the opportunity to ask him all sorts of questions about Atlético and his coaching methods.
While Yang Hao had spent his previous life as a writer, since crossing over into his current reality, he had dedicated substantial time and effort to studying and refining his coaching skills. He wasn't just living a glamorous life surrounded by supermodels—he was genuinely committed to improving his craft.
Now, he could plan training sessions himself, though the quality varied. Thus, when faced with questions from his peers, Yang Hao answered every query openly.
Many were particularly interested in Atlético's first goal against Real Madrid during the Spanish Super Cup. UEFA had even used the goal to demonstrate the application of the new offside rules.
Yang Hao succinctly explained his thought process to the group, emphasizing the tactical adjustments needed to adapt to the revised rule. Drawing on his unique perspective, he confidently shared his insights and predictions about the changes it would bring to the game.
The other coaches, all seasoned tacticians, posed their own questions and interpretations, which Yang Hao addressed one by one.
By the end, everyone agreed:
"Yang Hao is straightforward, generous with his knowledge, and doesn't hold back."
For Yang Hao, this was no big deal.
"Football tactics, like interpretations of the offside rule, vary by person. Mourinho's philosophy, for instance, will never align with mine. His interpretations differ from mine as well."
Yang Hao believed mutual learning and open communication were essential for the evolution of football tactics.
"If everyone hoards their knowledge, how can the game progress? Besides, in such a competitive environment, is keeping secrets really helpful?"
That afternoon, after the group photo, Yang Hao joined Ferguson and others for dinner. Over food and drinks, they casually chatted.
However, Yang Hao quickly realized these wily veterans had ulterior motives. They weren't just buying him dinner—they were fishing for details about his talent-spotting methods.
"How does Atlético's scouting system consistently uncover such gems? Why does Atlético's talent development rate seem so high?"
Players like Franck Ribéry and Dani Alves weren't from elite clubs, yet they flourished at Atlético. The coaches were desperate to understand how Yang Hao had spotted them.
While Yang Hao was open about many things, this was his secret.
"That's a secret I simply can't reveal."
Frustrated, the veteran coaches nearly flipped the table in exasperation.
The next morning, Yang Hao participated in the final session of the forum before returning to Madrid in the afternoon.
It wasn't that he was being difficult, but his schedule was packed.
After arriving back in Madrid by evening, Yang Hao rested for the night before taking a high-speed train to Valencia the next morning to watch Spain's friendly against Scotland—a commitment he had made to Luis Aragonés.
Scotland wasn't a particularly strong opponent, but Spain's performance was lackluster.
Aragonés debuted a 4-4-2 formation with Raúl and Fernando Torres as the striking duo. The midfield consisted of Reyes, Xabi Alonso, Baraja, and Joaquín.
Carles Puyol and Carlos Marchena formed the center-back pairing, while Bilbao's Del Horno and Real Sociedad's López Rekarte occupied the full-back positions.
On paper, the lineup featured solid players who had all proven their worth in La Liga.
Scotland, playing defensively in a 4-4-2 setup, focused on counterattacks. Despite dominating possession, Spain's attack lacked creativity.
A defensive mix-up between Marchena and Puyol allowed Scotland to score first in the first half, taking a surprising lead.
In the second half, Aragonés made several substitutions, switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation. He brought on Valerón, replaced Baraja, and substituted Marchena with Real Madrid's Helguera, while Vicente came on for Reyes.
Despite the tactical shift, Spain's performance remained disjointed. Raúl equalized in the 56th minute, salvaging a 1-1 draw.
It was a disappointing start for Aragonés's tenure as national team coach.
That evening, after the match, Yang Hao visited the Spanish team's hotel, where he was warmly welcomed by the players.
Alongside several Atlético stars, familiar faces like Raúl and Guti were also present. Everyone knew Yang Hao had been invited by Aragonés as an unofficial "advisor" to help diagnose the national team's problems.
After dinner, Yang Hao joined Aragonés and assistant coach José Ufarte for a quiet discussion in the hotel café.
Reflecting on the match, Yang Hao identified Spain's lack of attacking variety as a significant issue.
"The team relies too heavily on wing play. It's a serious problem."
While introducing Valerón in the second half provided a central pivot for ball distribution, it came at the cost of slowing down the team's tempo.
"Valerón's creativity and passing are undeniable, but his slower pace is a major liability in modern European football."
Yang Hao had noted this issue years ago during his early days at Atlético. Placing Valerón in a deep midfield role in a 4-2-3-1 exacerbated the problem.
"I've told you before—why switch to a 4-3-3?"
Aragonés nodded. "Because the single defensive midfielder makes transitions faster."
"Exactly. A double pivot is already a bit slow. Now add Valerón, who naturally plays at a slower tempo. Do you really think Spain's rhythm can pick up in the second half?"
Spain had a clear advantage in strength but struggled to pose any real threat. The entire match felt like watching a strongman bound hand and foot—full of raw power but unable to use it.
Aragonés had to admit that Yang Hao had hit the nail on the head.
"What's your take?" Aragonés asked humbly.
Tactically, Aragonés knew he lacked Yang Hao's sharp instinct. Yang Hao had become widely recognized as a tactical pioneer in European football.
"Well, then, I'll just say it."
"Please, go ahead."
After a moment of thought to organize his words, Yang Hao began.
"I think it's time to abandon the 4-4-2. It no longer suits modern football trends. Either go with a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3—both are viable. However, Spain's biggest issue right now is its midfield control is too weak."
"Using Valerón can improve ball control in midfield, but it slows down the game."
"The double pivot is crucial. Xabi Alonso and Baraja are both solid. Add Valerón to the mix, and the midfield gains strength—but that would mean you have to drop Raúl."
Why Raúl?
Aragonés knew the answer without needing to ask.
Playing Valerón as a No. 10 would resemble Irureta's 4-2-3-1 system. But in that setup, the lone striker up front cannot be Raúl because Raúl has never been the kind of player who can lead the line.
Whether it's Torres, Villa, Morientes, or even Raúl Tamudo, they would all be better suited to that role than Raúl.
However, such a decision required immense courage and determination.
"If Raúl remains as the No. 10 behind the striker, then I think you'd need to change the double pivot. Pair Xabi Alonso with Xavi."
"Xavi?"
Xavi was still a peripheral figure in the Spanish national team—more of a substitute or even a substitute's substitute. He had been included in the squad for the Euros earlier that summer but hadn't played a single minute.
This time, Aragonés hadn't even called him up.
"I've considered it before, but Xavi isn't strong enough defensively. Pairing him with Baraja or Albelda would provide adequate defensive coverage. But why not Xabi Alonso?"
"If you pair Xabi Alonso with Xavi, as you suggested, the midfield would have control and creativity, but it would lack defensive solidity."
Aragonés laid out his reasoning for excluding Xavi. It was a difficult choice.
In the current Spanish squad, players like Albelda excel defensively but lack creativity and passing ability. The Xabi Alonso-Baraja double pivot is decent but still doesn't provide enough control or passing.
Previously, when Atlético paired Alonso and Baraja in midfield, they had Deco as the No. 10 to dictate play.
"There's someone you might want to consider," Yang Hao suggested.
"Who?"
"Marcos Senna."
Aragonés furrowed his brow briefly, puzzled, before realizing what Yang Hao meant.
Marcos Senna hadn't yet played for the Brazilian national team, and with the likes of Gilberto Silva in their midfield, Brazil didn't need him. Meanwhile, Senna held Spanish citizenship.
Senna was an excellent defender, skilled at maintaining possession, organizing play, and distributing the ball. Though not tall, he had a wide defensive range, strong technical skills, and could form an outstanding double pivot with Xabi Alonso or Xavi.
Alternatively, a 4-1-4-1 system could also work, allowing both Baraja and Xabi Alonso to play.
"Do you think he'd be willing to join the Spanish national team?" Aragonés's interest was piqued.
Yang Hao chuckled. "That, I can't say. You'd have to ask him yourself."
Aragonés laughed, pointing at Yang Hao. Of course, he understood the subtext. Yang Hao was only here as a consultant, offering advice out of friendship. Running errands for the Spanish national team wasn't part of the deal.
Besides, was the Spanish Football Federation paying him a salary?
Yang Hao didn't need the money. If he had free time, he'd rather spend it at home with his girlfriend than do unpaid work.
"Alright, I get it," Aragonés said, feeling enlightened.
However, another thought soon crossed his mind.
"Do you think the traditional winger system is becoming outdated?"
Yang Hao quickly shook his head. "No, not at all."
"Don't play dumb. I've noticed how you use Villa and how you've deployed Robben on the right and Ribéry on the left this season. It's obvious you're experimenting with new tactics."
Yang Hao burst into laughter. "Why don't you join Atlético as a dedicated scout for our opponents? You've got sharp eyes. I'll even pay you well!"
Aragonés smirked, his expression saying, Do you even know who you're talking to?
"I think it's all about efficiency. Crosses from wide areas are becoming less effective," Yang Hao admitted.
Aragonés agreed wholeheartedly.
Take tonight's match against Scotland, for example. Spain's wingers, Reyes and Joaquín, dominated the flanks, launching repeated attacks that Scotland couldn't contain. But converting those wide attacks into central opportunities was a massive challenge.
Crosses, as Yang Hao pointed out, were inefficient.
"Let me continue experimenting. We haven't been executing well lately, and there's still a lot to figure out," Yang Hao concluded.
Aragonés nodded.
Even if Yang Hao perfected a new system, it might not translate to the national team.
National teams often lag behind clubs tactically by several years. If Spain could master the 4-2-3-1 within the next few years, it would already be ahead of the curve in international football.
Yang Hao spent the night in Valencia, with the Spanish Football Federation covering his hotel costs.
The next morning, he returned to Madrid because a grand groundbreaking ceremony was scheduled for that afternoon at the site of the old Mahou Brewery.
Atlético Madrid had purchased the factory and warehouse located between the Calderón Stadium and the brewery. Both were set to be demolished as part of simultaneous stadium and residential construction projects.
Surprisingly, the residential complex might be completed even faster than the stadium.
One regret Yang Hao had was that his suggestion to hire a Chinese construction company, renowned for its efficiency, was ultimately declined. Instead, a local Spanish firm—reportedly a subsidiary of Florentino Pérez's ACS Group—was chosen for the project.
Still, this wasn't unexpected, nor was it a cause for concern. After all, Florentino had lent a hand in other ways.
Since the property faced the street, the site was surrounded by barriers with dust control measures in place—everything was well-organized. The project wasn't just about Atlético Madrid's new stadium and the MSM redevelopment; it was also part of the Madrid city government's ambitious urban renewal plan.
The old Mahou Brewery site had already been cleared, leaving only a centrally located building acquired temporarily by the team, which was still in the process of being demolished. While this might take more time, it wouldn't delay the groundbreaking ceremony.
Madrid's mayor, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, personally attended the event alongside Atlético's president Enrique Cerezo and the president of MSM Group. Together, they presided over the groundbreaking of Atlético's new stadium and the redevelopment of the Mahou Brewery–Calderón Stadium area as part of the city's renewal plan.
The ceremony attracted a large number of media outlets, reflecting the intense interest from the entire Madrid metropolitan area. Riding on the wave of Atlético's historic five-trophy victory, both the project and Madrid's urban renewal plan garnered significant attention.
"Look at Gallardón. He's investing a lot of effort into this project. This is the opening shot of his urban renewal plan. Once it's successful, everything else will fall into place. If this project succeeds, he'll continue to win re-elections and maybe even..."
Miguel Gil gestured upward, hinting that Gallardón might aim for even higher political aspirations.
Yang Hao suddenly understood. No wonder Gallardón seemed more invested in the project than even Atlético was.
"This benefits us too," Miguel continued. "We'll need to work with him on many things going forward."
Yang Hao nodded but voiced a concern. "We'd better sell those residential properties as quickly as possible, ideally within three or four years."
"Why's that?"
"I've been reading newspapers and analyses. They're saying that property prices have been rising rapidly and that there's a serious bubble. It might burst around 2007 or 2008," Yang Hao explained, hinting at his worry about an impending financial crisis.
The 2007–08 global financial crisis was indeed a period of significant economic downturn, with the real estate market heavily affected.
"Don't worry about it." Miguel laughed confidently.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you know how many investors are already eyeing this project? Yes, Spain's real estate market is hot, but do you know where the bubble is?"
Yang Hao shook his head. He hadn't looked into the real estate market in detail—he didn't even own a house, after all, living in a rented property.
"Check how many new developments have gone up in the Madrid city center in recent years," Miguel suggested.
Again, Yang Hao shook his head.
"Because of cultural heritage preservation, there are very few new developments in the city center. The properties driving the real estate boom are in peripheral areas, like the tourist properties you saw in Marbella. There's a lot of speculation over villas there."
"Now imagine this: when the bubble bursts, which will hold its value better? Prime government-backed projects in the city center, or holiday homes in a tourist town in southern Spain?"
Suddenly, Yang Hao understood. Someone once said the three most important factors in real estate are location, location, and location.
"Just wait and see. These properties here will sell themselves," Miguel said confidently.
Yang Hao couldn't help but believe him.
In his past life, his hometown's old district was under cultural protection, and only a handful of new projects were launched each year. Residents gradually moved to outer areas, but whenever a new development in the old town came up, properties sold out instantly.
Even as the housing market slowed by 2023, the old district remained a hotspot.
Miguel's reasoning appeared sound.
Yang Hao didn't have deep knowledge about real estate, but with professional developers managing the project, he decided not to worry too much. He only reminded Miguel repeatedly to sell as quickly as possible.
Since property development involved financing, they'd likely aim for speed anyway. With three to four years as a timeline and the development focusing on mid-rise buildings, it should be manageable.
"These past few days, listening to the mayor talk big and seeing this project kick off, I suddenly feel the urge to buy a house," Yang Hao said with a chuckle.
Miguel's eyes lit up. "You're thinking of buying a house?"
Yang Hao nodded, laughing.
Both Miguel Gil and Enrique Cerezo had been urging Yang Hao to buy property for a while. They wanted him to settle down, reasoning that renting gave the impression of being transient, as if he might leave at any time.
Yang Hao, however, had never seriously considered it—until now.
Given his current wealth and financial standing, buying a house wouldn't be difficult.
"Should I reserve a unit for you here?" Miguel joked.
Yang Hao laughed. "Do you take me for a fool? Buy a place here and drive to Majadahonda for work every day? Am I crazy?"
Yang Hao preferred quieter neighborhoods, unlike some of his teammates. Xabi Alonso, for example, loved the bustle of city life and chose to live in the city center with his family.
"If you're thinking about Majadahonda, then a standalone villa is the way to go. La Finca has some great properties. Their neighborhoods have excellent security and management," Miguel suggested.
Coming from a family involved in real estate, Miguel was a wellspring of information.
He explained that while all standalone villas might look similar, there were significant differences. For instance, row houses near main roads were the cheapest. Then there were small standalone houses like Yang Hao's current rental, which lacked community amenities or management services and were relatively inexpensive.
Next were developer-built villa communities, where all the houses were uniform and tightly packed, with limited land per unit. Though technically standalone, they weren't much better than row houses.
"For someone like you, with your pickiness and your... enthusiasm for staying home with your girlfriend, I strongly recommend buying a plot in a high-end gated community and building your own place," Miguel said.
"Wait, that's an option?" Yang Hao was intrigued.
"Of course! You can buy as much land as you want—if you can afford it and maintain it. For the house itself, that's even simpler. Look around—everything here is ready to go."
Miguel gestured expansively.
"Get Herzog & de Meuron to design it, have the construction company assemble a team to build it, and you'll get high-quality results with great efficiency."
Yang Hao was tempted but couldn't resist teasing. "You're wasting your talent not working in real estate sales."
"So? Want me to take you for a tour?"
They struck an agreement on the spot. After the groundbreaking ceremony, Miguel accompanied Yang Hao to view properties.
In his past life, Yang Hao had heard a lot about La Finca—it was famous for being home to many Real Madrid players.
Now, he realized the truly exclusive options weren't even there. The top-tier properties were in small, gated communities offering plots of land for custom builds.
The site Miguel took him to was a privately developed hilltop neighborhood with its own lakes, gardens, and high-end landscaping. Each plot varied in size and shape, and there were only about thirty lots in total.
The smallest plots spanned three to four acres, while others reached over ten acres. One had already been sold and developed into a luxurious estate resembling a royal palace, leaving Yang Hao in awe.
In the end, Yang Hao chose a six-acre plot with excellent views, adjacent to the ultra-rich residents. Miguel promised to negotiate a deal for him at an insider price.
"You moving in is like a favor to them—a free advertisement! If they don't throw in a villa as a gift, it'd be ridiculous to charge you for the land. I'd be offended on your behalf!" Miguel joked.
Somehow, Miguel delivered on his promise. The multimillion-euro plot ended up being gifted to Yang Hao.
For once, Yang Hao fully enjoyed the perks of fame!
Friends, if you enjoyed the novel, you can subscribe to my Patreon channel.
Read 16 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Canserbero10