Chapter 2: Academy Graduation, part 2 - Breaking into the First Team, Part 2
(Academy of Light, Cleadon, Tyne and Wear, England, Europe)
--------------------------------
(Nathaniel Reddington POV)
--------------------------------
It was challenging, living overseas when his family was on another continent south of the equator. and he was in the northwest of his home country. But the chance to play professionally at any level was worth the risk and any of the heartache. Though Nathaniel missed his brothers something terrible, they were just half-brothers and were around 12 years apart minimum, but he loved them intensely. He video-called whenever he could. His friendship with Conor and Louis had its ups and downs, Louis was the type of guy who liked to be dramatic and cry wolf a lot. Conor on the other hand let his emotions bottle up inside, it was only him being the peacemaker that kept him and Louis from actively hating each other.
The three of them had to leave everything behind to come play in England. He didn't know how they felt about it exactly, but it caused him no small amount of pain leaving behind so far away from his family. And unlike his friends, he actually was a fan of Sunderland. Conor and Louis loved Manchester United and Arsenal respectively. Nathaniel had little doubt either of them would jump at the chance to join the clubs if the offer was made. But Nathaniel wouldn't leave Sunderland for another English Team. Not a Premier League team or any other side. There were things that he wouldn't do. He normally abides by the rule of never saying never, but in certain cases, he would say never. For example, he'll never play for Manchester City, he'll never play for Middlesborough or Newcastle, and he'll never accept a transfer to a derby rival.
Conor and Louis liked to joke and tease he was unambitious, but the truth was that he simply believed that one shouldn't offend the fans by leaving for a major rival. No, Nathaniel was ambitious, he was determined to win Continental Football in every Confederation that he could. He'd start with UEFA and move on from there.
''Did you hear? Coach Dodds is apparently coming in today.'' Louis Ingram, the prince of gossip.
''I heard. I don't actually care though. I don't need the distraction. I'll care when it's not during practice.'' He told Louis.
''Keep saying that and you'll never make the first team.'' Says Louis.
''Dude seriously, just shut up.''
The person who said that was Cardo Madanda. Cardo was a highly rated talent, who'd been poached from the academy of French team AJ Auxerre. He and Cardo had something of a rivalry, as they often competed for first-team places. Cardo was one of the few people that Nathaniel had a concern about, he was arrogant sure, but he was also a very skilled player. It wouldn't be long before he got bumped up to the Under-21's side. He didn't know what the overall opinion amongst the coaching staff was of him and Madanda, but in his own opinion, it came down to the fact that Cardo was a more temperamental, mercurial, and flashy player who had grand ambitions and no care for how he got ahead.
In many ways he was like Ronaldo, he also had similarities to Neymar. Neymar's father once called him Childish, Cardo in many ways seemed childish. This is where his similarities to Ronaldo came in. If Ronaldo didn't like something or felt wronged, he'd speak up or post on social media. That's what Cardo did.
Someone once called him an attention whore.
Which couldn't be more true. A lot of his selection highs had been because the coach had punished Cardo for his actions of crying out his every woe on Social Media. Despite all that, Cardo was talented. The crucial difference between them was consistency, temperament, adaptability, and versatility. But he wasn't the type to gossip needlessly, he had shit to do, and he for one did not have the energy to waste on dealing with Louis's shit when he was supposed to be using that energy to train. Still, Louis was his friend.
''How about both of you shut up? Seriously, you guys can argue till you're blue in the face after training.'' He says and when Louis goes to speak he interrupts him. ''I don't care who started what, move your ass, and shut your mouth. Coach already told you that you're both on thin ice remember?'' With that he left, say what you will about the two of them, give them a swift kick in their ego and they'll start training hard. Was it manipulative? Sure, but it wasn't his fucking problem if they couldn't take criticism well. The more time they wasted arguing the more their performance and as a result the more the team's performance went down. He had to at least try and get them to move their asses.
--------------------------------
(POV Shift: Conor O'Shea)
--------------------------------
If there was one bright spot to Cardo and Louis getting into it, then it was the fact he had the opportunity to not be a part of the stressful situation that was being Louis's friend. Guy causes so much drama, that he's given the people who have to deal with it an ulcer.
He's like a lovesick fucking puppy. Downright hopeless when it comes to Nathaniel telling him not to go to certain groups of people with his hand out looking for friends or trying to explain his side of an issue to people who really didn't care. But he couldn't focus on it right now, he was among the few who enjoyed training. Nathaniel preferred martial arts, meditation, and strategy and tactics. Louis, well, like he said, the guy was hopeless, but he wasn't a guy with a terrible work ethic and interest in training. He was just a pain in the ass to have to deal with sometimes. He had little to no filter and more than once their friendship had been jeopardized because Louis didn't know went to shut his damn mouth.
The saying someday, someone is gonna here what your saying and knock you the fuck out for saying it clearly didn't register to him. But that wasn't really his problem now was it? So long as he wasn't dragged into it, Conor would focus on what mattered.
The Club.
Sunderland wasn't his favorite club by any stretch. But he had a chance to build something here. A player like him, who had to train relentlessly to be half as skilled as certain talents these days, could cultivate a successful reputation in a lower league club. He didn't necessarily have to be part of a side that gained automatic promotion, he just needed to be part of side that he helped give a good account of themselves. He didn't want to spend the rest of his career here, but the longer he stayed and the more successful he helped them be, the better his chances of a higher-ranked club sending the club a transfer or loan offer for him.
He had aspirations higher than the Sky Bet Championship.
--------------------------------
(POV Shift: Louis Ingram)
--------------------------------
Cardo was such a dickhead. It was a miracle no one had slugged him yet. How someone like him hadn't been released yet was beyond him.
But much as he'd like to, he couldn't afford to get into it with Mandanda. Not with Dodds coming to observe the team's, training. Everyone knew this was a chance to impress.
And he'd be damned if he let that prick get promoted to the Under-21's before him.
--------------------------------
(POV Shift: Bastian Martell)
--------------------------------
An opportunity had arisen.
He really didn't want to leave Porto. He'd spent seven years with Porto as a player before an injury ended his career leaving him with a permanent limp and Sérgio Conceição offered him a lifeline when he began spiraling.
He had spent the last two years as an Under-18's Head Coach, before that having served as a Coach for Porto's senior team. But now, an offer had been made by a Club in England…to him. They wanted him for their new Head Coach, and they were willing to be a stepping stone if needed.
It was just a question of whether or not he should do it. Becoming an Under-18's coach was seen by many as a step down. But it was made by Sérgio to avoid him being made redundant. As a former Vice-Captain for the Club he was valued by Conceição.
It was pre-season right now, so he could build something in England. And the club was in the Championship, which meant he could cultivate something. If he did take the job, he would need people he could trust and knew what they were doing.
This was an important decision.
But Sérgio would tell him to take the opportunity with both hands.
Which is what led to him handing in his resignation. It broke his heart to leave Porto. But it was necessary.
--------------------------------
(POV Shift: Kyril Louis-Dryfuss)
--------------------------------
{{The Portuguese Football World has been rocked by the sudden resignation of American-born Portuguese-American Coach, Bastian Martell. Martell, who was a youth product of German Club Bayer 04 Leverkusen, has had an impressive playing career of twenty six years. Enjoying spells with the likes of Atletico de Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, Torino, Flamengo, River Plate, LA Galaxy and Liverpool, before a career-ending injury at Fc Porto led him to becoming a coach under Porto Manager Sérgio Conceição. Martell most recently had been Porto's Under-18's Head Coach of three years.}}
{{Martell reportedly has taken a job as Sunderland's Head Coach and Manager and reportedly already has reached out to Club Legends and some of his old rivals alike, seeking a coaching staff of a certain pedigree to join him at Sunderland. Reports indicate that the likes of Julio Arca, Jermaine DeFoe, Lee Cattermole, Ryan Giggs, Robbie Fowler, and former Sunderland Manager Roy Keane have joined the newly appointed Manager and Head Coach with rumors circulating that the Coach has also offered roles to Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, Aiden McGeady and Robin Van Persie. It Remains to be seen whether or not Martell can bring glory to the Sky Bet Championship Team}}
Turning his attention from the now turned-off television to the young man before him. Kyril Louis-Dryfuss had to admit, he was impressed. Deeply impressed. The rivalry between the man he'd chosen to lead Sunderland and the likes of Keane, Giggs, Scholes, and Rooney, was well-documented. With him and Giggs even having come close to exchanging blows on several occasions. Yet, already an offer had been made and accepted.
''I'm impressed. You got DeFoe, Arca, McGeady, and Cattermole to rejoin the club and legends such as Keane, Giggs, and Fowler to join us. Though, I have to ask. Can you and Ryan Giggs maintain a professional relationship in light of your previous issues?'' He asked.
''Ryan Giggs and myself have been good for nine years. There's no reason to worry about either of us insofar as I'm concerned.'' Says Martell.
''Hmm. Good answer. Very well then, your request for Giggs to be a Set Piece Coach is accepted, and we approve the contract for Roy Keane to become The Senior Squad's Assistant Manager, as well as the contracts of Jermaine DeFoe, Julio Arca, Lee Cattermole, and Robbie Fowler as Coaches. We also agree to accept it should Wayne Rooney Agree to join us as the Club's Director of Football and Under-21's Head Coach, Paul Scholes as the Under-18's Head Coach, and Robin van Persie as the Head of Youth Development should they accept the contracts. We would however like to keep Mike Dodds on as an Assistant Coach if at all possible. Whether or not you choose to relegate him to the Under-21s or Under-18s is at your discretion. As for Aiden McGeady ,we accept the decision to appoint him as the club's new Technical Director.'' Kyril informed him.
''Thank you sir, I appreciate the votes of confidence.'' He was eager.
Good, he could work with eagerness.
''You already have been briefed on our expected goals within our five year plan, so I'll skip those and move on to an important matter. It's vital we bring up our merchandising sales and that our youth talents and youth recruitment are developed further. To that end I want you to also make a point of recruiting talented youths outside of the UK.'' Kyril told him.
''I already have a few people in mind. Two from Sporting, one from Bayern, and one from Retrô.'' Kyril nodded his head.
''Good, you should also know that Dods has been informed of three talented young players in the Under-18's who work extremely well together, as well as a fourth player of similar quality. You may wish to review them yourself.'' Kyril informed him.
''I will sir.'' Martell replied.
''Good, welcome to the club. We'll schedule a press conference in three days for you to be properly introduced to the fans and media. You can meet the team in two days.'' Says Kyril, shaking the man's hand.
Maybe this would be their year? He could only hope, the fans certainly deserved it. And with any luck, they would get it.
--------------------------------
(POV Shift: Nathaniel Reddington)
--------------------------------
He, Conor, Louis, and Cardo had been called into the Stadium of Light. They were instructed to meet with the new Head Coach.
He really hoped this wasn't a disciplinary meeting. Louis and Cardo were like fire and water, he didn't want to be dragged down with them.
''I've called the four of you here because I wanted to tell you myself. Your performances have been extraordinary. So after discussing things with the staff, I am promoting the four of you to the Senior Squad. Congratulations Lads. Now it's time to earn your place here.''
That….was not what he was expecting.
Like not at all…
This is when his career truly began, bypassing the Under-21's entirely to get into the Senior Squad. Not how he expected it to be perfectly honest.
But he'd take the chance with both hands and he'd never let go. He couldn't afford not to. This was the moment everything changed.
''You've had a few moments to let that sink in. Alright, perform well in our next five games and you can expect me to open negotiations with each of you for a professional contract as opposed to the youth contracts you're under right now.'' Says the new manager, Bastian Martell.
''I thought the club couldn't afford to sign new players though?'' He asked the gaffer.
''The Owner agreed to inject a little bit over four million into our wage budget. That means I'm able to sign you four to professional contracts if you prove yourselves worth the price.'' Nathaniel immediately turned to both Ingram and Mandanda.
''Not one word. From either of you.''
''I didn't say anything.'' They both said defensively.
''You didn't have to. Nate and I are sick of all the little comments between you. Save the aggression for the pitch, and focus it on someone not wearing our kit.'' Conor said.
''Something I need to know, boys?'' Coach Martell asked.
''Depends on how good you are at playing the diplomat.'' Nathaniel said with a sigh.
''What the hell is that supposed to mean?'' Cardo demands.
''Just that one of these days you two are gonna end up fighting. It's a miracle you haven't killed each other yet.'' Conor agreed.
''That and it's also a wonder we haven't left the two of you dead in a ditch somewhere yet.'' Nathaniel added, before turning to face the Manager. ''One has an overgrown sense of self-entitlement.'' He says.
''The other one is a child in a teenagers body.'' Conor added.
''I think I need to know exactly what the issue is. Ingram, Mandanda you're dismissed for now. O'Shea and Reddington, you can stay. I'll speak to the people who aren't biased first.'' Said Martell.
Once the two grumbling players have left, Nathaniel turns to Coach Martell.
''Simply put?'' He asked.
''Please.'' Martell said.
''Louis is very dramatic. Makes a big deal outta most things, and he has little tact and he frequently makes poor judgment especially when he's been warned not to do one particular thing.'' Conor said.
''Honestly, he's not so much a disruption as he is a pain in the ass. The thing is though, that as talented as Cardo is, he and Louis are frequently at each other's throats. Louis will make you go deaf with his list of grievances, but it can almost always be tracked back to the fact he doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. But by the same token Cardo takes shit from no one. And he's known for posting his grievances publicly. Actually it's possible that that's the cause of their rivalry. Neither do well being criticized, especially by their peers.'' Says Nathaniel.
''Can they play together?'' Martell asks after a few minutes.
Nathaniel and Conor exchange glances.
''Yeah, but don't expect them to be friendly. They'll make a big deal out of the whole thing one way or another.'' Says Nathaniel.
''Looks like I need to get together with the staff.'' Martell said.
''Yeah, but that's not really our concern. We're just sick of the bickering. Sorry for taking advantage.'' Conor said.
''Your a poor liar.'' Martell said humorously.
''He is.'' Nathaniel agreed. ''Quite the speed demon though.'' Nathaniel said.
--------------------------------
(Author's note:)
--------------------------------
Ended up being thirteen hundred words longer than intended. No matter.
Let me apologize in advance. There's a lot of real word tension between myself and my two friends. Louis and Conor are like a feral Cat and a wild Dog stuck in a cage together at certain times. Only room for one.
Like the characters, the two people who inspired Louis Ingram and Conor O'Shea are fairly big and dominant personalities.
Including some of this tension seemed like both an appropriate way of developing the story and the relationship between the central characters as well as making the story and characters feel real to me. It also serves to set up the following chapter and allows me to introduce Bastian and the other legends of the game in the story more and also earlier than I otherwise would have done.
For the record I've largely based this management side off of my most Successful run of the game Football Manager 2024. And yes, the likes of Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Robbie Fowler did join Sunderland in my playthrough. Now considering how much more difficult it is for people to be signed in Football Manager as opposed to say EA Sports FC that's not entirely unbelievable.
Anyway, next few chapters will be shorter, I promise. This is thirteen hundred words too big, but that's more because there was no good place to cut it off earlier than anywhere else.
--------------------------------
Join my Discord via this invite link:
https://discord.gg/4TTZkVMMnq
--------------------------------
Special thanks to Mitchell Howard, David Martinez, ROGUE505 Saver, Mathew T Linderman, Luck George, Kyle Diano, Julien, Morgan Sinn, Attila Kovács, Maciek, and Tom A for their enduring support on P-atreon.
And also a big thank you to Cody, Luci Alarra, TJ Cruz, Beastmode2003, Kunta, Availon90, Gavin Barclay, Dragonslayer29, Jacarya Robinson, Nathan Just, Francisco J Guzman, Axlii, Reece Hutton, Ken Harris, Zeldris Wrath, Duy, lonelynib _, Mudit Chadha, Austin, D3EATH707, Dwhateverprof, Cutler1812, Aleksander_402, Lewis Wilson, Profound Magician, Arzard, Viertel, and HxC 740 VxD for their past support on P-atreon.
The next Chapter is currently available on my relaunched and rebuilt P-atreon, to access simply search the following link, but without the dash between the P and A, Two tiers with the same benefits but different contexts. The chapters on P-atreon will be published when the chapters following them are done and dusted and ready to publish over here on this site.
p-atreon.com/TheRagFromTheCragCorner23