Football: The British Legendary Manager

When he returned to the pitch, it was noticeably more lively, with players joking around after a long time without seeing each other.

This atmosphere only lasted until the players saw Henry. Suddenly, they restrained themselves and became more solemn.

None of them knew much about Henry's personality, especially since the media hadn't publicized it. Being able to coach AS Roma at 36 showed that Henry must have something special and could be called a genius.

Unfortunately, most geniuses have some quirks. In any case, everyone was in a wait-and-see mode.

While they were looking at him, Henry was also analyzing them. He observed each one of them: the confident Osvaldo, the talented Lamela and Pjanic, Bojan, who didn't dare to look into his eyes for more than five seconds, and De Rossi, the player Manchester City dreamed of but couldn't get.

Leading a team is really not easy. There are too many people and interests to consider, with fans unwilling to be patient and only wanting to see instant results.

Still, from the looks he received from De Rossi, Henry was almost sure that the latter wouldn't cause trouble for him. This was a relief.

Totti and De Rossi, as long as neither of these two caused trouble, things would be easier. If he managed to gain their support, no one in the locker room would dare to challenge him.

"Good morning, guys. It seems everyone is here. And here I was, trying to find a sacrificial lamb to establish my authority," Henry said in his broken Italian.

The atmosphere became less tense, with some players chuckling and others laughing outright. At least the new coach could crack a joke and seemed easy to get along with, right?

At first glance, Henry could already see the structure of the locker room, and he was pleased. It was divided into three groups: the Italians, the South Americans, and the rest, who were in the minority, like Pjanic and Stekelenburg.

The Italians seemed to dominate the locker room. From the looks of it, even if the other two groups combined, they could never challenge the Italians, which seemed normal.

"Okay, let's not waste time and start the physical examinations. I hope you didn't let yourselves go during the past few days. You know, the competition here is really fierce. I even have a headache deciding who to use."

The players here had seen it all. It was better to be direct than to play the nice guy, but one also couldn't be too direct, or things might backfire.

This was Henry's way of telling the players that there were many options and that he wasn't dependent on any one of them.

If even this simple implication created conflict with someone, then he and that player would never be compatible.

As the players began to disperse for their physical examinations, Henry took a moment to observe their reactions.

Some, like De Rossi and Totti, seemed unfazed. Totti was even playing with the ball since he had finished early. Their confidence likely came from their experience and status within the team, making them secure in their positions.

Others, like Bojan and Lamela, appeared more anxious, perhaps aware that their spots in the starting lineup weren't guaranteed.

Henry made a mental note of these dynamics. He already had a good understanding of their mentalities, such as their confidence levels, but only after seeing them in person could he confirm where their confidence or lack thereof came from.

The medical staff had set up stations in the training facility, and the players moved through them with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

Henry lingered nearby, occasionally exchanging a few words with the staff or a player.

He wanted to be present but not overbearing, striking a balance between authority and approachability.

Every day, he would monitor the players' statuses thanks to the system. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be a training maniac like Ronaldo in the squad, as most of them had more or less gained some weight.

The only fortunate thing was that Totti seemed to be in good condition. As the core of the team, his role was too important. Even if he weren't in top shape, he couldn't be replaced or substituted at will.

Henry sighed internally. It was only natural that some players would let themselves go a little during the break, but he had hoped to find at least one training fanatic in the squad—someone who, even in the off-season, would push themselves to the limit. This kind of player would be appreciated by any coach.

Still, it wasn't too bad. A few extra pounds could be shed with the right intensity in training. What worried him more was the players' mentality.

Some players looked relaxed, but others, like Bojan, lacked the confidence or fighting spirit to secure their place. That kind of insecurity could be fatal in a long and grueling season. A league isn't about a single game but a sequence of games, it's a marathon. If you can't stay confident, it's difficult to win a title.

After all, football wasn't just about physical ability. A mentally weak player could never become a core member of his squad, no matter how much talent they had. With the system, he only needed players with high fighting spirits.

Once the examinations were complete, Henry gathered the team for the long-awaited meeting. He stood in front of them, his expression calm but firm.

"Alright, gentlemen," he began, his Italian still rough but understandable. "The physical results are in, and while some of you are in excellent shape, others… well, let's just say that no one ate too many pastries."

A few players chuckled nervously, while others avoided his gaze. "But that's behind us now. What matters is what we do from this point forward. The season is long, and every match will demand the best from us. I expect nothing less."

"Some of you may be wondering what kind of coach I am, or if I'm worthy to coach this team, etc."

Henry paused. The meeting room was quiet, with everyone focused. "Let me just say this: I consider myself a coach who won't tell you how to play football. I believe all of you are professionals and good enough to be here."

"What I will do is integrate your different strengths and help you complement each other, allowing you to display your talents while contributing to the team."

"Everyone in this room has their strengths. If you're young, it means you're more energetic and enthusiastic. If you're older, it means you're experienced and know what to do in critical moments without making mistakes."

"In short, everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Where your weakness lies, your teammates' strengths can cover, and where your teammates' weaknesses lie, your strengths can compensate."

"I don't like making empty promises or giving grand speeches. I prefer to speak with facts and evidence. I just hope you understand that wearing this jersey comes with a responsibility, to play for the fans who spend money, which ultimately becomes your salary, just to watch you play. Don't let them down."

He let the silence linger for a moment, then clapped his hands together.

"Alright, that's enough talking for now. Tomorrow, we start training. And trust me, it's going to be intense. So get some rest, clear your minds, and be ready to give everything you've got. Dismissed."

...

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