Chapter 462: Chapter 462

With this week’s fixtures completed, Richard dressed in the club’s light blue attire. After a day of training, he returned to his office in the dark blue training gear, only to find Karren entering with a group of staff members.

They had planned to conduct an interview that evening, which would be featured on the club’s website as a message from the club owner, accompanied by a full transcript to be published on the official site.

Naturally, the interview had to begin with the highest-ranking figures at the club.

As Richard looked at Karren and the others, he felt a strange familiarity — reminiscent of how he started his career in football. Wasn’t it all supposed to begin with interviews? Well, now he was the one doing them more often.

The camera was set up in the corner, focused on Richard. He took a seat at the desk without changing clothes or applying makeup, sitting across from Yvonne in a casual, unguarded manner.

At first, the atmosphere felt slightly awkward, but soon they found their rhythm, and the tension gradually dissipated.

Richard began sharing the story of his family: some tales from his childhood, others about his parents, and then his brother Harry. Undoubtedly, the Maddox family’s success could not have come from Richard alone, but as a family, they had formed a bond with the club since its inception, a sentiment passed down through generations. When it came to his own feelings toward the club, Richard kept them private, bringing that topic to a close.

Reflecting on the journey — from taking over the club as a part-time coach, through gambling and real estate ventures, to coming close to claiming their first top-flight league title just three and a half years later — Richard spoke candidly about the challenges he had faced.

And what was the biggest headache now?

"Every transfer window, you can expect that many teams will target Manchester City," Richard continued, "Whether it’s Manchester United, AC Milan, or other European giants, they come at us relentlessly. Their offers are massive — some nearing record-breaking fees — and it puts constant pressure on both the club and the players."

He leaned back in his chair, gathering his thoughts. "It’s not just about losing talent. It’s about protecting the team’s spirit, maintaining cohesion, and ensuring that the players who stay continue to believe in the project. Every approach, every bid, tests that resolve."

Richard’s gaze drifted toward the camera, his expression serious. "It’s a delicate balance. You want to be ambitious — to improve the squad, to secure the future — but you also need stability. One wrong move, and the entire rhythm of the team can unravel. That’s the constant headache, the invisible pressure that comes with running a club like Manchester City in today’s football landscape."

He paused, letting the weight of the words sink in. "But these challenges... they also force us to be smarter, stronger, and more united. Every obstacle becomes an opportunity to prove what we’re capable of."

Of course, while Richard leaned more toward a "recruit cheap, develop, and sell high" approach, he couldn’t openly admit that in front of the camera. So, in the interview, he emphasized a player-retention strategy, focusing on maintaining talent whenever possible.

"But Manchester City generated almost £100 million in transfer income last summer. That money is enough to bring in two or three top players. Even if part of it went toward building a new stadium, acquiring one or two players to strengthen the squad shouldn’t have been a problem. Why didn’t that happen?" She asked. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novelꜰire.net

Richard paused, considering the question carefully. "You see, in the past, football clubs resembled non-profit organizations, symbols of honor and cultural pride. Nowadays, many have become businesses. Some have even gone public, claiming it’s to finance better players and improve competitiveness. But in the stock market, every share must generate profit."

He then continued, "Many owners show, through their actions, that football has become just like real estate — an investment, a money-making machine. That’s not what I’m after. I don’t deny the importance of money in football, but I cannot agree with this development model — especially for clubs like Manchester City, which doesn’t have deep pockets. Right now, we are still carrying millions in debt, and we plan to pay it off in the coming years. That makes us even more cautious about shaking the club’s foundations."

Karren Brady quickly followed up, "What do you believe is Manchester City’s foundation?"

In a low voice, Richard replied, "Our model of developing talent from within. The outside world often claims that Manchester City lacks experience, and in some cases, that’s true — many of our young players haven’t competed in Europe. But the experience of national teams helps compensate. We have an incredibly talented roster: players like Cannavaro, Makélélé, Ronaldo, and Zidane — top-tier talents in each line. They are pillars for the club’s growth. I hope they stay long-term, not only to maintain competitiveness but also to set an example for younger players, helping them grow. I believe that in three to five years, Manchester City will find its footing. We aim to nurture one or two exceptional first-team players each season, creating a healthy developmental cycle. Our foundation lies in youth training, not making risky, expensive transfers. For clubs like ours, paying over £10 million for a player who fails to integrate can be damaging — financially and for the team’s dynamics. That’s why I’d rather invest in carefully cultivated talent, giving them opportunities and hope to achieve glory with the club."

Richard highlighted his vision for the club’s development strategy, aiming to establish Manchester City as a beacon of youth training, sending a signal that the club prioritizes giving young players real opportunities — something often lost when clubs rely on aggressive buying.

This strategy was already showing results. Graduates like Pirlo, Shevchenko, Capdevila, and Rivaldo had made their mark, serving as excellent advertisements for the system. Meanwhile, promising talents like Lampard, Nakata, Okocha, and Deco were expected to follow in their footsteps as they gained more opportunities.

In addition to youth development, Richard discussed management, player discipline, training plans, and the club’s long-term vision. As the owner, he had the final say and was deeply involved in the club’s direction. The interview lasted nearly four hours, only ending as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Once the cameras were off, Karren showed a hint of fatigue. Checking her watch, she smiled at Richard. "How about I treat you to dinner tonight?"

Richard smiled politely but declined. He had an urgent meeting with his brother Harry and couldn’t reschedule.

Karren didn’t press the matter, nodding in understanding — she would be busy tomorrow as well.

After wrapping up his duties at the club, Richard was driven home. A quick shower later, he headed straight for bed — but sleep didn’t come easily.

One thought kept circling in his mind, refusing to let go.

Sometime past midnight, he got up, wandered to the balcony, and stared at the dark, star-strewn sky. The city hummed faintly below, distant and quiet. Almost without realizing it, he picked up his phone and dialed Harry’s number.

His brother took a while to answer. When he finally did, his voice was calm but groggy.

"It’s late. Must be something serious. Just say it."

Richard took a breath.

"If you really want to support Sarah’s move into politics, you’ll need to find someone."

"Someone? Who exactly? A big name from Downing Street?"

"No. If I remember right, he’s got royal blood. I don’t know where he is now, but he’s worth keeping an eye on. His name’s Cameron."

"Cameron? First name or last name? What’s the full name?"

"...You forgot? And you want me to bet on him?"

"He should be in the Conservative Party. That’s all I can tell you. Anyway, I’m going back to sleep. Goodnight."

Richard hung up, staring at the phone for a long moment.

The future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.He remembered the name, but nothing else — not the face, not the details. Still, the name Cameron stuck.

Finding someone with royal connections in Britain wasn’t exactly difficult. Even if the monarchy had lost its real power, appearances still mattered. Diana’s death, for instance, had sparked endless conspiracy theories — some even claiming royal involvement.

Richard leaned on the railing, eyes fixed on the stars. It would take more than a decade before Cameron ever rose to prominence. But that was the nature of politics — a long game. The longer the investment, the stronger the alliances.

Before leading the Conservatives, Cameron would have to climb the ladder — party whip, junior minister, cabinet member — step by step. It wouldn’t be smooth sailing, but as long as he didn’t crash completely, his time would come.

It was like scouting young football talent — nurture the right one early, and you’d have a superstar in the making. The same logic applied to building a family legacy.

On that thought, Richard picked up his phone again and sent Harry a short text:

Germany – female – Merkel.

Those were the names he remembered — figures who, in time, would shape the world.Cameron, for his youth and potential. Merkel, for breaking barriers. Obama, the first Black president, destined to become a global icon.

He knew about Blair and Bush, of course — everyone did. But spotting tomorrow’s leaders before the world recognized them? That was the real skill.

Satisfied with the thought, Richard set his phone down, pulled the blanket over his shoulders, and closed his eyes.

For tonight, at least, the world could wait.