The famous manager that the instructor was talking about is Pep Guardiola.
When the door opened and Pep Guardiola walked in, the room filled with awe and excitement.
Even the most seasoned players were impressed to see the legendary manager in person.
Guardiola greeted them warmly, his presence commanding attention.
"Good morning, everyone," he began, his voice calm and authoritative. "I'm honored to be here today. Let's talk about something fundamental yet incredibly powerful: the basics."
He took a moment to let his words sink in before continuing. "As you all know, my style of play, often referred to as 'Tiki-Taka,' is renowned for its complexity. It involves precise passing, constant movement, and maintaining possession. But no matter how intricate the tactics, everything I teach is built on a foundation of basic principles."
Guardiola walked to the whiteboard and drew a simple diagram of a soccer field.
"It all starts here," he said, pointing to the field. "Passing, dribbling, shooting, positioning; these are the basics that every player, no matter their level, must master."
He then shared stories from his coaching career. "When I first took over at Barcelona, I had some of the best players in the world. Messi, Xavi, Iniesta... But even they needed to revisit the basics. We spent hours on simple passing drills, honing their skills to perfection. It wasn't about making them better passers alone; it was about instilling discipline, precision, and understanding of the game."
Guardiola paused, looking around the room to make sure his message was getting across.
"Even at Manchester City, with all the talent at my disposal, we never stray from the basics. When things aren't going well, we go back to them. When we're dominating, it's because we're executing the basics flawlessly."
He then turned to the players. "You might think that as professional players, you don't need to focus on these elementary skills. But that's where many go wrong. The basics are the bedrock of everything we do. They build confidence, ensure consistency, and create a shared understanding on the pitch."
Guardiola concluded his lecture by emphasizing the importance of never overlooking the basics.
"Remember, no matter how advanced your tactics or how talented your players are, without a strong grasp of the basics, you'll struggle to implement any strategy effectively."
The room was silent, everyone deeply reflecting on his words.
When Guardiola finished his lecture, he turned to the class and asked, "Does anyone have any questions?"
The room remained silent, each student deeply reflecting on the insights shared.
Sensing their contemplative mood, Guardiola smiled and said, "Alright then, thank you for your attention. Remember, never underestimate the power of the basics."
As he stepped away from the podium, the students began to move. Busquets, clearly moved by seeing his former manager, was the first to approach.
"Pep," he said warmly, extending his hand, "It's great to see you again. Your words, as always, are inspiring."
Guardiola clasped Busquets' hand and patted his shoulder. "Sergio, it's wonderful to see you. I'm glad you're here, continuing your journey in football."
One by one, the other students approached Guardiola. Each expressed their gratitude and admiration.
Kay felt excitement as he joined the group.
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When it was his turn, he shook Guardiola's hand firmly. "Thank you, Mr. Guardiola. Your lecture was enlightening. It reminded me of the importance of staying grounded."
Guardiola nodded, his eyes showing a spark of encouragement. "Keep that in mind, Kay. Great coaches are built on a foundation of strong basics."
As the students were filing out, one of them, with a playful grin, called out, "So, Pep, what's your next club? We know you announced this is your last season with Man City!"
Guardiola chuckled and responded, "That's a secret. You'll have to wait and see."
The students laughed and continued to exit, leaving only Busquets and Kay lingering behind.
Both approached Guardiola, eager for a more personal conversation.
Kay, feeling a bit more hesitant, took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Mr. Guardiola, I have a question." He stopped, then continued. "I don't have much experience as a player. Do you think that will affect my career as a coach?"
Guardiola looked at Kay thoughtfully. "Experience as a player can be beneficial. It gives you an understanding of the game from a player's perspective. However, it's not the only path to becoming a great coach. Hard work, determination, and a constant quest for knowledge can bridge that gap. Some of the best coaches in the world weren't standout players. Focus on your strengths, stay dedicated, and keep learning. You'll find your way."
Kay felt a surge of confidence from Guardiola's words. "Thank you, Mr. Guardiola. I appreciate your advice."
Guardiola nodded, his expression encouraging. "You're welcome, Kay. Remember, every great coach brings something unique to the game. Find what makes you unique and develop it."
With that, Kay thanked Guardiola once more and left the classroom, leaving Busquets to have a private talk with his previous coach.
Kay returned home feeling inspired by his conversation with Guardiola.
He had an appointment with Dr. Thompson for physical therapy later that day.
After having lunch with his parents, he gathered his things and they all headed to the hospital.
When they arrived at the hospital, Kay checked in at the front desk and waited in the lobby with his parents.
Dr. Thompson soon appeared, greeting them warmly.
"Hello, Kay. Ready for today's session?" Dr. Thompson asked, smiling.
Kay nodded. "Yes, Dr. Thompson. I'm looking forward to it."
They proceeded to the physical therapy room, where Dr. Thompson guided Kay through a series of exercises designed to improve his mobility.
The session was challenging, but Kay pushed through, motivated by his desire to fully regain his strength and continue his path.
It was his fourth physical therapy session with Dr. Thompson.
Dr. Thompson observed Kay's progress closely. " You've made remarkable progress, Kay. I think you're ready to try walking without your stick "
Kay's eyes widened with excitement. "Really? That's amazing."
Dr. Thompson nodded. "Yes, but remember, there are still four more sessions left. You mustn't skip them, even if you feel confident without the stick. These sessions are crucial to ensure you regain full strength and stability."
Kay nodded, understanding the importance of the doctor's advice. "I won't miss any sessions, Dr. Thompson. I'll keep working hard."
"Good," Dr. Thompson said, "Let's start by trying a few steps without the stick. I'll be right here to support you."
Kay handed his stick to his father and took a deep breath.
With Dr. Thompson by his side, he took his first few steps unaided. It felt liberating, and he couldn't help but smile.
"You've got this," Dr. Thompson encouraged. "Take it slow and steady."
Kay walked a few more steps, gaining confidence with each one.
The support from Dr. Thompson and the proud smiles from his parents fueled his determination.
After a successful session, Dr. Thompson gave Kay some final words of encouragement. "You're doing incredibly well, Kay. Keep up the good work, and we'll continue to see great results."
They left the hospital and headed home. In the car, Kay suddenly heard a notification from the system indicating that he had two new main quests.
Intrigued, he decided to ask the system about the different types of quests before checking the new ones.
The system responded:
- - -
There are three types of quests:
Main Quests: These are the biggest quests with the largest rewards and the longest deadlines.
Side Quests: Similar to main quests but smaller in scope with shorter deadlines, or sometimes no deadlines at all.
Special Quests: These appear in response to unexpected events and can vary in size and reward."
Hidden Quests: These quests are hidden until they are fulfilled.
- - -
Satisfied with the explanation, Kay took a deep breath and decided to check the new main quests.
The blue translucent window appeared before him, listing the details of the quests.
- - -
Main quest 1: ....
Main quest 2: ....
- - -
See you in the next chapter ...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
- - -Author's note: - - -
Hey everyone!
I can tell you that Kay was totally shocked when he saw the main quests from the system.
And just so you know, this won't be the last time we see Guardiola in the story!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
For +40 advanced chapters, or support visit my p@treon:
https://[email protected]/BestCoach85