Building the Dream Team I

When Mattia Cassani entered the shop, Aymar immediately noticed that his skin had darkened from the sun. 

When Mattia Cassani entered the shop, Aymar immediately noticed that he had tanned significantly. 

"Looks like you've been spending time at the beach," Aymar joked as he greeted him. 

Cassani chuckled and took a seat. He had always been close with Aymar, so there was no need for formalities. 

For a while, the conversation drifted to vacation stories, with Pippo Glaviano and Pierino Fanna teasing Cassani about his sunbathing. The atmosphere was lighthearted, but Aymar could tell that Cassani hadn't come here just to catch up. His mind was elsewhere. 

Glaviano and Fanna exchanged knowing glances. They didn't need to say it out loud—Torino needed restructuring, and a player like Cassani could be a valuable addition. Young, talented, and already familiar with Aymar's tactical demands, he fit the profile of someone who could thrive under his leadership. 

Aymar picked up on their silent exchange and nodded slightly. Taking the hint, Fanna and Glaviano excused themselves, leaving him alone with Cassani. 

"Alright, Mattia, what's on your mind?" Aymar asked as soon as the others were out of earshot. 

Cassani didn't hesitate. "I heard from Parma's people that you might be heading there. Is that true?" 

Aymar had to suppress a smirk. He had already expected this question. 

"It was possible a few days ago, but not anymore," he admitted. "I've made my decision. Next season, I'll be coaching Torino in Serie A. Are you interested in coming with me?" 

Cassani's expression shifted from curiosity to shock. He had initially heard from Parma's representatives that Aymar was a strong candidate for their coaching position, and that had played a role in his interest in them. But now, hearing that Aymar had instead chosen Torino completely changed the situation. 

"It's a Serie A club," Aymar continued. "I won't lie to you—they'll be fighting relegation, and there's no shortage of teams interested in you. But what I can offer that no one else can is familiarity. I know you better than any other manager out there, and you already understand my tactical demands better than most players. Think about it." 

Aymar leaned back, giving Cassani the space to process everything. "Whatever your decision, I won't hold it against you. You'll always be my player—and my friend." 

Cassani was hesitant. Parma had made a very strong offer through his agent. They had provided assurances that few other clubs could match. But a major part of his interest in moving there had been the expectation that Aymar might take charge. 

Under Aymar's system, Cassani had thrived. But when he had been promoted to Verona's first team, he had struggled. The tactics didn't suit his strengths, and the coach at the time didn't know how to utilize him properly. He had been frustrated, and when he heard that Aymar was in talks with Parma, he had considered following him. 

Now, however, it was a completely different choice. Parma or Torino. 

Aymar wasn't just thinking about Cassani—there were three other players he wanted to bring along. 

"It's not just you, Mattia," Aymar added. "Torrisi, Nicco, and Hutt—I want all four of you to join me. But the decision is yours." 

These players weren't just talented; they had been developed under Aymar's system, shaped by his methods, and had grown into the footballers they were today because of his coaching. If he could bring them with him, it would accelerate Torino's transition and ensure he had a core group of players who understood his philosophy from day one. 

He stood up, offering Cassani time to think, but before he could even take a step toward the door, Cassani suddenly spoke. 

"No need to think about it, boss. I'm going with you!" 

Aymar stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Cassani, who had a serious expression on his face. 

"Are you sure?" Aymar asked. 

Cassani nodded firmly. "Yes. I'll go with you to Torino, but I have one request." 

"Alright, go ahead." 

"You have to handle negotiations with the club properly. I don't want any drama or misunderstandings." 

Aymar understood immediately. Cassani had signed a professional contract with Hellas Verona near the end of last season, meaning the club wouldn't let him go for free. 

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," Aymar reassured him. 

Cassani smiled and stood up, his excitement clear. "Then I'll speak with Torrisi." 

Aymar raised an eyebrow but quickly realized what Cassani meant. The players had already been discussing their transfer situations among themselves. 

"Alright, just remember—it's the four of you. Torrisi, Nicco, Hutt, and you. Got it?" 

Cassani nodded. He knew exactly what Aymar meant. Other players wouldn't fit Torino's needs, but these four had already been molded into his tactical philosophy. 

As Cassani looked at Aymar, there was a moment of genuine gratitude. He wasn't just a coach—he was someone who believed in his players and gave them opportunities. 

For that, Cassani would follow him anywhere. 

... 

... 

After seeing off Mattia Cassani, Aymar was left with a new challenge—building his coaching staff. 

His discussions with Urbano Cairo had made one thing clear: Torino's backroom staff was seriously lacking. The club had already gone through two different head coaches in quick succession, and when Alberto Zaccheroni left, much of the coaching staff followed him out the door. 

If Aymar wanted to hit the ground running as soon as he took over Torino in the new season, he needed to assemble a complete coaching team as quickly as possible. 

He already had Pippo Glaviano to assist with tactics and training, and Pierino Fanna, who was well-versed in player development and game management. With these two in place, Aymar had a solid core, but there were still major gaps to fill. 

No successful manager worked alone. Aymar had studied the world's top coaches before arriving in 2006, and one thing was certain—all of them relied on a specialized coaching staff. Every modern team had coaches for offense, defense, set-piece strategies, and individual skill development, as well as sports scientists and analysts who helped optimize player performance. 

He needed to find specialists—people who could bring out the best in his players. 

For a moment, Aymar sighed, frustrated at the task ahead. Then, as if hit by a sudden realization, he slapped his thigh. 

"How did I forget about this?" 

He immediately opened the CoachMaster Guidance System. 

As soon as he accessed it, a notification appeared: 

"You are now officially the head coach of Torino. Your reputation has increased from 'Minor Recognition' to 'National Reputation.' As a result, you have been awarded 10 Achievement Points. Your total Achievement Points: 65." 

Aymar smirked. His rise had been meteoric, and the system recognized it. He had led Hellas Verona's second team from obscurity to prominence, and now he had earned a spot in Serie A. The additional achievement points were a welcome bonus, but there was something even more important. 

He had an unopened skill reward. 

This time, Aymar didn't hesitate—he activated the "Staff Recommendation" skill. 

A new search function immediately appeared in the system, allowing him to scan for available staff members across different roles. The database included everyone, from club directors to youth coaches, ensuring that he could identify the best candidates for his coaching staff. 

Strangely, his own name wasn't in the search results—as if the system had automatically excluded him from the recommendations. 

The first people Aymar analyzed in the system were his two most trusted assistants—Pippo Glaviano and Pierino Fanna. 

He first checked Glaviano's attributes. His current ability was rated at 146, with a potential of 178—a very high-level coaching profile. His specialty was physical training, reaching the full value of 20. In addition, his tactical understanding and offensive coaching had solid double-digit values, making him an all-around coach. His determination was rated at 18, which meant he was an extremely driven individual. However, his ambition was low (6), while his loyalty reached full value (20). 

Aymar then checked Glaviano's relationship status in the system. His favorability rating towards Aymar was at 95, meaning their trust level was nearly unbreakable. 

Next, he analyzed Fanna. 

The system displayed his profile as an assistant coach with tactical knowledge at the maximum 20 and training ability also at 20. His defensive coaching, personnel management, and discipline were all at elite levels (19, 18, and 17, respectively). However, in terms of judging players, he was slightly weaker—judgment ability at 13 and potential assessment at 15. His determination, however, was rated 17, marking him as a highly focused and committed coach. 

His relationship with Aymar was also at 95, showing deep mutual respect and trust. Additionally, his loyalty rating was 18, making him a reliable long-term option for the coaching staff. 

At the moment, the system rated both Glaviano and Fanna at 73 out of 100, but considering their potential, this was only a temporary figure. 

Once he finished reviewing his assistants, Aymar turned his attention to Torino's club management. 

He examined Urbano Cairo's attributes in the system. Cairo had a strong personality, with a high temperament rating (17), showing his commanding presence. However, his intervention level was at 13—not high enough to be overbearing, but enough to interfere when he felt necessary. 

Aymar noted this down—Cairo wasn't the type of owner to give total freedom, so he would need to manage their relationship carefully. 

As Aymar scrolled through the list of Torino's coaching staff, his initial optimism quickly faded. The youth development setup was uninspiring, and most of the first-team staff lacked any real pedigree. It was clear that Torino's problems ran deeper than just their performances on the pitch—their entire coaching structure had been left to rot. 

But just when he was about to close the list in frustration, one name caught his eye—Alessio Varnelli. 

At first, Aymar assumed he was just another average coach, a goalkeeping trainer tucked away in the second team, his contract set to expire soon. But when he clicked on the profile, the system instantly loaded up his attributes, and Aymar's eyes widened in disbelief. 

Varnelli wasn't just good—he was elite. 

His goalkeeper training was maxed out at 20, the highest possible rating, the kind of expertise that was nearly impossible to find at a struggling club like Torino. That alone made him a rare find, but the more Aymar looked, the more impressed he became. 

His physical training sat at 18, meaning he wasn't just teaching technique—he was building endurance, reflexes, and athleticism. His psychological coaching was a solid 15, which explained why he had such a strong reputation for mentoring young keepers. More than just a trainer, he was someone who shaped mentality, built confidence, and prepared players for the pressures of elite football. 

But what really set him apart was his ability to identify talent. His judgment of player potential was 17, far above average, while his judgment of current ability was 12—not perfect, but good enough to make him a valuable scout as well as a coach. Aymar could already picture him helping to unearth and develop the next great Italian goalkeeper. 

Even more impressive was his mentality. The system showed that Varnelli's loyalty was at 19, and his professionalism maxed out at 20. He was the kind of coach who would never cut corners, never slack off, and never get complacent. His determination stood at 18, meaning he was constantly pushing himself and those around him to improve. 

And the best part? He was only 36. 

"This guy is a hidden gem," Aymar thought, leaning back in his chair. "A few more years, and he'll be coaching at one of Europe's biggest clubs. No way I'm letting him slip away." 

He made a mental note immediately—offer him a new contract, no matter what. A keeper coach this good was practically a free signing, and Torino desperately needed quality staff. 

Unfortunately, aside from Varnelli, the rest of the coaching staff was exactly what he feared—mediocre at best, dead weight at worst. Torino needed a complete overhaul, and if Aymar was going to transform this team, he couldn't do it with a bunch of uninspired, underqualified assistants. 

With that in mind, he opened the system's staff search function, filtering out unrealistic options—top-tier coaches wouldn't leave Champions League clubs to fight relegation in Serie A. He needed coaches who were available, realistic targets, but still talented enough to make a difference. 

The system processed his request, and within seconds, a list of over 100 potential candidates appeared. He scanned through them, already expecting disappointment—most of them were exactly what he feared. 

But just as he was about to close the search in frustration, his eyes landed on two names that immediately stood out—two options who could genuinely make a difference. 

One was Eva Carneiro. 

She was 34 years old, with a reputation that barely extended beyond the local level, and her sports science and fitness expertise was solid at 15 points—respectable, but not something that would normally make her stand out. 

But then he saw it. 

Her medical ability was rated at a perfect 20—the highest possible level. 

Aymar's eyes narrowed as he scanned her experience. Carneiro had worked with the England women's national team, contributed to the UK Olympic Medical Institute, and even had a brief collaboration with West Ham United while finishing her studies. She was a sports medicine genius, yet for some reason, she hadn't fully committed to working in club football. 

"How is someone this talented still flying under the radar?" Aymar muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. 

Scrolling to the relationship tab, he quickly spotted the connection to Pippo Glaviano. Her favorability rating with him was at 70—a clear sign that she had some past history with him. 

"Pippo knows her?" 

That explained why she was appearing as a recruitable option. But why had Pippo never mentioned her before? 

Aymar made a mental note to ask him later. If Carneiro was willing to join his staff, Torino would have one of the best medical specialists in Serie A overnight. 

Before he could dwell on that, another name caught his eye—Eusebio Di Francesco. 

Aymar's eyes widened. This wasn't just any coach. This was a man who, in his original timeline, would one day take Roma to a Champions League semi-final, orchestrating one of the greatest comebacks in history against Barcelona. 

Right now, however, Di Francesco was a 37-year-old unknown, working as a sporting director for Val di Sangro in Serie C2—a role that seemed completely detached from coaching. 

"He's wasted in that job," Aymar thought. 

The system's stats confirmed it. His technical coaching was already maxed at 20, his offensive training was an impressive 18, and his psychological training had reached 16—a rare combination of tactical and mental coaching expertise. 

Even more intriguing, his talent identification was at 19. He wasn't just a coach—he was a talent spotter, someone who could recognize future stars before anyone else. 

"No wonder he built that incredible Sassuolo team in the future. He could see talent before the rest of the world did." 

Aymar scrolled to the relationship tab, searching for a reason why Di Francesco was appearing as a recruitable target. 

Then he saw it—his connection to Pierino Fanna. 

"That makes sense." 

Fanna had deep ties in Italian football. Whether it was from his playing days or his behind-the-scenes influence, he must have crossed paths with Di Francesco at some point. 

This was an opportunity too good to pass up. 

If Aymar could convince him to join, he wouldn't just be getting an elite tactical coach—he'd be bringing in a future Serie A manager before anyone else realized his true potential. 

His mind was already racing ahead, thinking about how his coaching staff was finally taking shape. With Fanna and Pippo already by his side, he would be adding a hidden gem of a goalkeeper coach in Varnelli, someone with elite-level medical knowledge in Carneiro, and now a future Serie A manager in Di Francesco. 

For a club like Torino, which needed stability and vision, assembling a strong backroom staff was just as important as signing players. 

Aymar leaned back in his chair, a grin forming on his face. 

"If I can pull this off… Torino's staff will be stronger than anyone expects." 

Thinking of this, Aymar immediately left the room and found Pippo Glaviano and Pierino Fanna. 

"Eva Carneiro?" Pippo was surprised. "How did you hear about her?" 

Aymar smiled deliberately and mysteriously, without answering the question. "Are you familiar with her?" 

"Of course, we studied together for a long time. I focused more on physical training methods, while she was interested in sports injuries and physiotherapy programs. I left first, and at that time, she said she wanted to continue studying. Later, I heard she started working in football." 

"She's currently in England, working with West Ham while finishing her studies," Aymar said with a smirk. 

"West Ham?" Pippo was a little surprised. "In England?" 

Aymar nodded. "A friend of mine recommended her to me and mentioned that you know her. I know she's close to completing her studies, and when that happens, she'll be looking for professional opportunities. I'm sure she has plenty of options, so I hope you can help me convince her to join our coaching staff. She'd handle injuries and physiotherapy." 

An injury pathology specialist wasn't necessarily the same as a team doctor. In Aymar's view, having someone on staff who understood both his tactical philosophy and training methods would add immense value when monitoring the players' fitness levels. 

"I'll reach out to her, but I can't guarantee anything!" Pippo promised. 

Watching Pippo leave, Aymar chuckled. He knew that Eva Carneiro wouldn't escape his grasp now. 

He turned his attention to Fanna. "I need you to go to Val di Sangro." 

"Val di Sangro?" Fanna raised an eyebrow. 

"Yes, my friend recommended an excellent technical coach. He's currently working as a sporting director there. I want you to speak with him personally." 

Fanna nodded, though curiosity flickered in his expression. "Who is it?" 

"Eusebio Di Francesco." 

Fanna stared at Aymar, the name catching him off guard. 

"You know him?" Aymar asked, feigning surprise. 

Fanna crossed his arms. "I do, actually. And I have to say, I'm impressed that your 'friend' knows about him. The guy barely has any reputation in coaching yet. He just started working as a sporting director at Val di Sangro, and before that, he was a team manager at Roma. He's not the kind of person you'd expect people to notice outside of Italy." 

Fanna chuckled, shaking his head. "That being said, I've heard good things. He's sharp, well-connected, and understands Italian football inside and out. He hasn't really proven himself as a coach yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if he turns into one in the near future." 

"How about his ability?" Aymar asked, pretending to probe deeper. 

Fanna leaned forward. "It's hard to say at this stage. He was a smart player, always tactically aware, and even now, he's studying the game carefully. Unlike some ex-players who jump straight into coaching, he's taking his time, learning from different perspectives—first at Roma, now handling transfers at Val di Sangro. He hasn't put his ideas into practice yet, but people who know him say he has the makings of a real tactician." 

"So, his ability is strong?" 

Fanna nodded. "It's promising. If you're talking about tactical intelligence and player development, he has all the tools to become a great coach. He's not someone who just relies on instinct—he studies, he adapts, he refines his ideas. He hasn't coached at a high level yet, but given the right environment, I wouldn't be surprised if he turns into one of the best in Italy." 

Aymar absorbed that, already knowing everything about Di Francesco's potential—but this was about making the right impression. 

"Then what about Francesco Tomei? Do you know him?" 

Fanna raised an eyebrow. "Tomei? He's mostly been involved in fitness and technical training, hasn't he? Worked at a few clubs, but I wouldn't say he's well known." 

Aymar smirked. "Not yet." 

If he could bring Di Francesco and Tomei together now, he'd be shaping a partnership that would later succeed at the highest level. With Pippo handling Carneiro and Fanna pursuing Di Francesco, Torino's backroom staff was coming together exactly as planned.