Chapter 2

Beep-beep-beep-beep!

I woke up abruptly to the sound of my alarm clock persistently ringing next to my bed. I reached out my arm and found the snooze button with difficulty, pressing it to interrupt the annoying noise. I looked at the clock on the nightstand and saw that it was exactly 8:00 in the morning. I had to hurry to get to the Aston Villa training center where I worked as an assistant coach.

I quickly got out of bed, feeling the morning inertia pulling me down. I walked to the bathroom, turned on the shower, and let the hot water wake me up completely. After a few minutes, I turned off the shower and left the bathroom, grabbing a towel and drying myself quickly.

I went to my closet and put on comfortable sportswear. I looked at myself in the mirror and took a deep breath, trying to get used to the new life that had been imposed on me.

Now I was going to get ready for the day. I put some coffee in the coffee maker and turned it on. While waiting for the drink to be ready, I brushed my teeth and looked at the clock on the wall. Time was passing quickly and I needed to go to work soon.

As soon as the coffee was ready, I poured it into a mug and smelled its strong and hot aroma. I sat down at the table and started to have my breakfast, savoring every sip while thinking about the tasks of the day.

I finished my breakfast and went to the garage to get my car. On the way, I found my keys hanging on the wall and grabbed them.

As I approached the 2002 Vauxhall Astra, I could immediately notice its modern and attractive design. Its exterior had smooth and curved lines, with an elegant and distinct front, narrow headlights, and a chrome grille that added a touch of sportiness. The silver color of the car perfectly matched the design, giving it a sophisticated and elegant appearance. Upon opening the door, I immediately noticed the spacious and well-finished interior. The seats were soft and comfortable, with quality fabric and adjustments that allowed me to find an ideal driving position. The instrument panel was modern and easy to use, with buttons and controls conveniently located to facilitate driving. After settling into the driver's seat, I felt that the car was comfortable and agile, which gave me the confidence to make the most of the driving experience.

It took me 20 minutes to get to the training center.

I just parked my car in the Bodymoor Heath parking lot. It's hard not to feel a sense of sadness after yesterday's defeat. I'm still processing what happened, but one thing is certain: we need to recover and prepare for the next game. I take a deep breath and get out of the car, grabbing my training bag.

As I reach the entrance, I greet the doorman. "Good morning, Mr. Smith." I wave at him.

The man, around 50 years old, smiles at me and replies, "Good morning, Mr. Wright. You can go in. The President is there, and he was apparently talking to Coach Taylor."

So he was fired? That was faster than I thought. Who are they going to get to be the team's coach for the rest of the season?

Putting my thoughts aside, I respond to the doorman. "I'll go in. Thank you." I smile at him and head straight to the field.

There, I find the players and begin to assist them in executing physiotherapy and recovery exercises. After all, the players need to relax their muscles after yesterday's game. Although I don't know the routine of these players or how to train them from my previous life, Christopher Wright is different. He has always been very dedicated to his profession and learned as much as possible about the routine and training of the players during his work. Therefore, I have no problem assisting them, even without any experience from my previous life.

We are in the middle of training, and the atmosphere is heavy. The players are dealing with the painful defeat to Birmingham City in yesterday's game.

As an assistant coach of Aston Villa, I feel responsible for cheering up the players and motivating them so that we can win the next games.

I take a deep breath and decide it's time to act. I approach the group of players and begin to speak to them. "Hey guys, I know yesterday's defeat was painful, but we need to leave it behind and move on. We still have a lot to play for, and we can recover from this loss. We can't let this defeat affect our morale. We need to believe in ourselves and work hard to improve in the next game. Let's lift our heads up and show everyone what we can do!"

The players seem to be listening attentively to my words, and some nod in agreement. I feel a little relieved to have been able to cheer them up a bit, but there is still much work to be done. We need to focus on the training and put all our energy into the next game. We will overcome this defeat and show everyone what we are capable of.

I was there, at the end of Aston Villa's training, when President Doug Ellis approached me. He had a serious look on his face, which made me worried.

"Can I speak with you for a minute, please?" he said, with a solemn tone.

"Sure, Mr. President," I replied, approaching him.

"The reason why I wanted to speak with you is that unfortunately, we had to fire Graham Taylor. And we're thinking of putting you as the interim coach until we find a permanent replacement."

I was in shock, not knowing how to respond. I never imagined this could happen.

"I... I don't know what to say, Mr. President," I stuttered.

"You have experience as an assistant coach, and we believe you can handle the job. And furthermore, the team needs a strong leader in this difficult time," he said, looking me in the eyes.

I took a deep breath and thought for a moment. I had never been a head coach before, but I was willing to take on the challenge.

"I accept, Mr. President. I'll do my best to lead the team forward," I replied, determined.

"Great," he said, smiling. "You have our support."

I left feeling excited and nervous at the same time. I knew I had a long way to go, but I was determined to do the best job possible.