Michael would have found it much easier to ignore these feelings if Arthur had just taken the pay rise and joined Real Madrid like a sensible assistant. Yet he chose the Barnsley bench, just like himself.
If he was vain, he might think that Arthur stayed for his sake. However, Michael still lacked a lot of self-esteem thanks to his previously traumatic experiences in the lower leagues where loyalty was as rare as a clean sheet.
He was working hard to tackle these issues with the help of the System, but that would take a long time to break apart such deep-seated insecurities.
"Arthur… Why did you reject the Bernabeu, if you don't mind me asking."
Michael didn't know why, but this question came out of his mouth. Perhaps it was his ego, or it could have been because he wanted to know what had changed from his previous life where he managed alone.
