⚽ Football Reborn: The Manager from the Future
Chapter 5 – The Debut
Saturday arrived. Ethan stood in the tunnel of Featherstone Park, Darlington's home stadium, if you could call it that. The fans filtered in—only a few hundred, mostly curious. New manager, same club. They weren't expecting much.
The players warmed up with purpose, though. Something had shifted. They weren't playing for Ethan yet—not fully—but they weren't sleepwalking either.
Greg handed Ethan the lineup sheet. "Sure you want to go with this? That kid up front has barely started this season."
"He will now," Ethan said. "His xG per shot in training's the best on the team."
Greg stared. "His what?"
"Never mind," Ethan smirked.
Kickoff.
Darlington faced Halifax Town, mid-table and in solid form. But within ten minutes, Halifax was stunned.
Darlington passed in triangles, held possession with calm confidence, and shifted between lines like clockwork. Fans in the stands murmured, "What's this? Arsenal?"
By the 23rd minute, the new striker—19-year-old Curtis Dean—slotted home a one-touch finish after a crisp low cross from the inside forward.
1–0.
Ethan stayed calm, issuing subtle instructions.
"Push the line," he told the defenders. "Zone two press ready. Don't dive."
By halftime, it was still 1–0. Ethan made no subs. Just tweaks.
Second half: Halifax tried to press higher. Ethan switched to a 4-3-3 mid-block, catching them on the break. In the 62nd minute, Curtis scored again.
2–0.
By full time, the stadium was buzzing. A clean sheet. Two goals. Confidence.
Greg slapped Ethan's back in the tunnel. "You're a bloody wizard."
Ethan didn't reply. He was already reviewing match stats, player heatmaps, and performance arcs.
In the press room, the local reporter asked, "What's your philosophy, Mr. Ray?"
Ethan smiled faintly. "Give me players who believe. And a bit of time. I'll give you something football's never seen."
The reporters chuckled, thinking it was ego.
But Ethan knew the truth. This wasn't arrogance.
It was foreknowledge.