Football Reborn: The Manager from the Future
Chapter 4 – Tactics from Tomorrow
Darlington's first match under Ethan Ray was three days away. And the club didn't expect miracles. That worked in Ethan's favor.
He needed time—not just to teach the players, but to change their mindset. They were used to old-school football: hoof it long, cross it in, pray the striker gets a header. Ethan was about to throw that playbook in the bin.
In the dusty office above the locker room, Ethan opened the AI tablet again. He brought up tactical simulations—modern gegenpressing models, overlapping fullbacks, inverted wingers. He couldn't install all of it at once. The players weren't built for high pressing or intricate rotations. But he could start with basics: possession play, fast transitions, and intelligent off-the-ball movement.
The AI projected a formation: a 4-2-3-1 with modified spacing, suited to the team's current strengths.
Greg, the assistant coach, leaned over Ethan's shoulder.
"What happened to 4-4-2?" he asked with a smirk.
"It's 1997," Ethan said, "but we're going to play like it's 2020."
Greg blinked. "Alright, Einstein."
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Training was intense that week. Ethan shortened sessions but increased the tempo. Players ran drills with positional constraints, one-touch passing zones, and simulated pressing traps. At first, they struggled. Ethan expected it. But by day three, something clicked.
He had reorganized the midfield—moved an aging ball-winner into a deep-lying playmaker role, where his calm presence allowed smoother buildup. The winger who always crossed too early? Ethan moved him inside, playing as an inside forward to cut in on his stronger foot.
The players were starting to believe.
And so was Greg.
"You might be onto something, boss," he admitted after Thursday's session. "But these lads've never seen football like this. Hell, I've never seen football like this."
Ethan smiled. "They'll get used to it."
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That night, Ethan revisited the Messi file. He zoomed in on footage from 1997—a grainy clip of a 10-year-old Lionel slaloming through four defenders on a dirt pitch. The boy was special. More than special. But his family couldn't afford his growth hormone treatment. That's why Barcelona would eventually offer to pay it.
Unless Ethan got there first.
> "Travel opportunity: Rosario, Argentina. Do you wish to initiate scouting trip?"
Not yet. Ethan needed funds, credibility—and a club strong enough to develop what he'd find.
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