"Good afternoon everyone, thank you for joining us here today. We're here with William Hutchingson, the manager of Valencia C.F., in order to discuss his appointments, his plans for the club and any problems that he might run into along the way".
William sat behind the microphone, and looked around the press room. He'd done a lot of press conferences as a player, and he'd done even more as a manager, but somehow he was most nervous in this one.
The press room wasn't even that full. There were a substantial number of journalists but it wasn't as packed as he was used to in the big clubs he played at, as well as the clubs he managed in England, but it was still a huge number nonetheless.
The press manager continued to talk, but everything was just noise as far as William was concerned. He was nervous, and he was trying to calm himself down.
When William finally snapped out of his reverie, the press manager was almost done talking.
"Alright, so first up we'll start with Carlos Martinez from Superdeporte".
A small looking journalist in the middle of the crowd stood up immediately the name was called.
"William, welcome to Valencia. How's life in Spain been so far?" Carlos asked with a smile
William smiled when he heard the question. "It's been a pleasure so far. I think everyone here's just been very nice to me and I'd love to pay them back on the pitch".
"Speaking of paying them back on the pitch, how much faith should we put in those words. You might've been a big name as a player but you've never coached before. So why should the fans put their faith in you to deliver?"
William almost chuckled when he heard the words of the reporter.
'Fucker didn't even pretend to like me at first'
"Uhh..." William massaged his chin as he spoke. "I think, I understand the concern. Experience matters, especially at the highest level. But so does understanding the game. I've spent my entire careers at different clubs, I've won trophies at different clubs, I've worked under several legendary managers like Pep Guardiola and Alex Ferguson and I've seen what works and what doesn't"
"I'm coming in ready to learn and ready to adapt, I have a strong staff around me and I'm ready to lead, make decisions and create an platform for the players to perform".
"So the manager of Valencia C.F is learning on the job. Is that what is happening with you?" Carlos said with a sly smile on his face.
William couldn't help but internally roll his eyes. He might seem like a fresh manager, but he still had his memories and experiences from his past life. He knew how to evade journalists that wanted him to trip up like this.
"I think every manager is learning on the job. We learn new things and new ideas and implement it. In fact, I think it would be a problem if I wasn't". William said. "Next person, please". He said, cutting Carlos off before he could ask a follow up question.
"Marta Garcia, Marca". A short woman at the front of the crowd said, before standing up. "You retired at 29 due to an unfortunate injury. Did retiring that early shape how you view football now".
William smiled. "I think that's a fair question. Stepping away from the game, I think, it gave me a different perspective on it. And I'm here now, in a new role, ready to jump into it again".
"That's all for now, thank you". Marta said as she sat down.
William nodded slightly and signaled at the next journalist.
"Javier Ortega, AS". A tall man that looked to be in his early thirties said.
"Although on a recent slump, Valencia is a club with pressure, history and expectation. What is your immediate objective coming into the club? What are your priorities?"
"I think stability". William said. "I want us to be clear on how we play and put in consistent performances and I think the table will reflect that over time and we'll be able to see the progress of the club".
"That's all from me". Javier said with a smile as he sat down.
William returned the smile and then side-eyed Carlos who had a sulking expression on his face.
'Maybe not all journalists are assholes then'
"Lucia Navarro, El Pais-..."
William continued to answer questions from the journalists, for a little too long. The press conference only ended because he kept glancing at the press officer and giving him a knowing glance.
After it finally ended, William gave a sigh of relief and almost ran away from the press room. It took him everything he had to walk outside calmly.
As soon as he stepped outside, he was directed to the exit of the training facilities and he drove back home. It was still the middle of June, and the players were expected on the last week, so he still had a week and half to get his shit together.
Even though he had a lot of tactics that he informed the board about during the interview, he had reconsidered so many things after he got the job.
For one, he had completed the system mission and he was awarded with 10 Credits, so the first thing he did was to get tactical insights from the system, and the things he saw there almost made him slap his own face.
It was at that moment that he realized that he wasn't half as tactically sound as he thought he was. The system only made simple tactical arrangements to what he initially had but they really made a huge difference.
While he was also feeling quite dumb, his confidence also increased. If the system could do that much for just 10 credits, then William couldn't even imagine all the potential things that it could do.
"Watch out Pep Guardiola and Alex Ferguson". William muttered with a smile. "I'm coming for your fucking throne".