Building the Dream Team II
The next day, after sending away Pippo Glaviano and Pierino Fanna, Aymar Zambo went directly to Hellas Verona's offices without delay.
In less than ten days, the atmosphere had become even gloomier.
Banners thrown on the ground, scorched jerseys, and remnants of fan protests littered the outside of the training ground. The anger and frustration of Verona's supporters were evident everywhere.
Every time Aymar thought of those tearful Verona fans, he felt a pang of discomfort. But there was nothing he could do—Verona's fate was not in his hands.
When he stepped inside the club's office, the staff paused, whispering among themselves. News had spread that Aymar would not be renewing his contract with Verona and was set to take over at Torino. The newspapers had already reported the story in detail, fueling skepticism in Turin. Many Torino fans felt the club was taking a gamble by appointing a 24-year-old coach to lead a relegation battle.
Now, seeing him here, Verona's staff speculated about his reason for visiting.
Giambattista Pastorello received Aymar in his office, which was well-lit and decorated with memorabilia from Verona's past.
"After that match, this photo was all over the newspapers. I found it meaningful, so I had it enlarged and framed here," Pastorello said, nodding toward the image with a hint of pride. "Every time I look at it, I want to remember the incredible turnaround we saw last season."
Aymar smiled faintly. For him, that chapter had already closed. The season at Hellas Verona was behind him. Now, he had to fight for his future.
"Mr. Pastorello, I believe you already have an idea why I'm here."
Pastorello sighed, his expression complicated. "I can guess. Cassani called me last night."
Aymar nodded. "You know as well as I do that Mattias is a special talent. He has the potential to be one of the best attacking midfielders in Italy. But if he stays at Verona in this situation, it will only hinder his progress."
His focus was on Mattias Cassani because neither Emanuele Torrisi nor Gianluca Nicco had signed professional contracts yet. Louis Hutt had impressed but was still slightly behind Cassani in importance. Aymar was confident that if he could secure Cassani, the others would follow.
Pastorello leaned forward, clasping his hands. "I know we can't keep them, but you also understand the situation we're in."
Aymar nodded. "I do. That's why I'm offering one million euros for all four—Cassani, Hutt, Torrisi, and Nicco."
With Verona's financial struggles, it was a reasonable offer. No other clubs had bid more than €600,000 for Cassani, and Hutt's estimated value hovered around €100,000. Considering that Torrisi and Nicco had cost the club nothing, this was a very fair deal.
Beyond fairness, Aymar had another motive—he knew these players better than anyone. Cassani's current ability had already reached 140, Torrisi stood at 135, while Hutt and Nicco were 128 and 125, respectively. They were all young and packed with potential.
One thing Aymar had observed through their training was how players with higher talent and potential developed much faster, even when using the same training enhancement scrolls. While Cassani and Torrisi had shown rapid improvement, Hutt and Nicco were progressing more slowly despite receiving the same treatment.
Still, he had enough achievement points now. If he secured these players, he could use additional training enhancements to push them even further in the coming season.
Pastorello hesitated. Aymar's offer was solid, and Cassani had personally reached out to request that Verona listen. All four of them wanted to continue playing under Aymar, to follow him to Torino.
There was no doubt—Pastorello had lost this battle.
"Alright, Aymar. I accept your offer," Pastorello finally said, resignation in his voice. He still didn't want to let go of these players, but he had no choice.
Aymar thanked him, satisfied with the outcome. As he walked out of the office, he couldn't help but glance back at the framed photograph on the wall.
The next time they met, they would no longer be on the same side.
Leaving the club office, Aymar immediately called Mattias Cassani, Emanuele Torrisi, Louis Hutt, and Gianluca Nicco, informing them that he had successfully negotiated their transfers with Hellas Verona. The players were ecstatic, eager to continue working under his guidance.
Next, he dialed Urbano Cairo, Torino's president, urging him to send club representatives to finalize contracts with their agents. Cairo, who had been cautious about Aymar's recruitment strategy, was immediately impressed by his swift action. Landing four highly regarded young prospects at once—players who had caught the attention of scouts across Italy—was a major coup.
During the conversation, Aymar took the opportunity to bring up another matter. "President, I also want the club to send out offers to Toulouse in France and Znicz Pruszków in Poland. There are two players I believe we can secure—Frank Tabanou, a promising left midfielder, and Robert Lewandowski, a young striker who is currently a substitute in Poland."
Cairo, intrigued by the names, asked, "Do you really think they have the potential to make a difference in Serie A?"
Aymar smirked. "They won't just make a difference. If we get them now, they'll define Torino's future."
The president mulled it over but ultimately agreed. Aymar had already demonstrated his keen eye for talent, and this was an investment in the club's long-term success.
Aymar had already used the Super Coach Assistant System to assess their transfer values. Tabanou was still largely unknown outside of France, and Lewandowski was barely featuring in Poland, making them both low-cost but high-upside acquisitions. He instructed Cairo to set firm limits on negotiations, ensuring Torino wouldn't overpay.
With that, his work was set in motion. He had secured four crucial signings from Verona and initiated the chase for two promising international prospects.
Satisfied, Aymar remained in Verona a little longer, awaiting updates on the deals. The future of Torino was already beginning to take shape under his hands.
...
...
The conference room at Hotel Principi di Piemonte was packed with reporters from across Italy. Flashbulbs went off, cameras rolled, and the tension in the room was palpable. At the head of the table, Aymar Zambo sat beside club chairman Urbano Cairo, a calm yet determined expression on his face.
This was his first press conference as Torino's head coach. Expectations were low, skepticism was high, and the young coach knew every word he said today would shape the media's perception of him.
The club's media officer stepped forward.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. We are pleased to introduce the new head coach of Torino, Aymar Zambo. Mr. Zambo will begin with a short statement before we open the floor for questions."
Aymar adjusted his dark suit jacket, resting his hands on the table before leaning slightly toward the microphone. His tone was measured but confident.
"First of all, I want to thank Torino for their trust in me. I know there are many questions, and perhaps some doubts, but I can assure you of one thing: I did not come here just to keep this club afloat. I came to make Torino stronger."
A ripple of whispers ran through the room. This was not the answer of a coach who only wanted to 'survive'.
A journalist from La Gazzetta dello Sport, an older man in his 50s, cleared his throat.
"Mister Zambo, last season Torino barely avoided relegation, and now the squad is set to lose several key players. Are you truly confident that you can keep this team in Serie A?"
Aymar smiled slightly, nodding.
"If I wasn't, I wouldn't have asked for a two-year contract. I don't plan to just scrape by—I plan to compete. This club has the foundation to build something better. We have young talents like Davide Bottone, Angelo Ogbonna, and Vincenzo Nitride, alongside experienced leaders such as Matteo Sereni, Ivan Franceschini, Nikola Lazetic, and Simone Barone, who have chosen to stay despite interest from elsewhere. They will be the pillars of this team."
A journalist from Tuttosport, a known Torino supporter, interjected.
"But last season, the coach frequently pointed out concerns about their age. Are you worried about relying on older players?"
Aymar let out a small chuckle.
"Let me ask you—since when is 29 or 32 considered 'old' in football? If we were talking about 36 or 37, maybe we could discuss physical decline, but these players are still fully capable of competing at a high level. Simone Barone was one of our most consistent players last season, and Ivan Franceschini was a rock in defense despite the team's struggles. If you replace experience with just youth, you risk making the same mistakes over and over."
His response was firm yet composed, making it clear that age would not define his squad.
A journalist from Corriere dello Sport leaned forward, flipping through his notes.
"Several players have publicly stated their desire to leave, some have already reached agreements elsewhere. How do you plan to handle this?"
Aymar's expression hardened slightly.
"I don't beg anyone to stay. If a player does not want to fight for this club, they are free to leave. Football is about passion and unity, not individual ambition. I want players who are committed. If someone prefers to go elsewhere, I wish them the best, but those who stay will be part of something worth fighting for."
The room stirred. It was a strong statement—he wasn't here to beg anyone to believe in his project.
A veteran journalist from Rai Sport raised his hand.
"You've talked about improving the team, but let's be realistic—Torino has not won a major trophy since the 1993 Coppa Italia. What exactly do you mean by 'building something better'?"
Aymar leaned forward, his voice calm but unwavering.
"I didn't come here to fight for survival every season. If that was my only goal, I would have stayed at Hellas Verona. Torino has history, identity, and a city that demands more than just avoiding relegation. We must set higher standards, work harder, and play with the ambition that this club deserves. In the 1940s, Il Grande Torino was the best team in the world. We must reignite that fire."
A few reporters raised their eyebrows. Some were still skeptical, but others seemed intrigued.
A young journalist from Tuttomercatoweb smirked slightly, trying to challenge him.
"With all due respect, Mister Zambo, talking about recreating 'Il Grande Torino' sounds nice, but don't you think it's unrealistic? This team hasn't won a Scudetto since 1976, and some clubs go decades without winning anything."
Aymar turned to him, lips curling into a confident smile.
"Fifteen years without a trophy? That's nothing. There are clubs that haven't won in fifty years, yet nobody tells them to stop trying. Why should we settle for less?"
A murmur ran through the room. The smirk on the journalist's face vanished.
It was becoming clear—Aymar Zambo wasn't just here to coach. He was here to challenge expectations.
The press conference continued, with more questions about transfers, tactics, and squad management. Aymar kept his cool demeanor, delivering clear and decisive answers. By the end, the journalists were split—some still skeptical, others intrigued.
One thing was certain:
Aymar Zambo had made an impression.
As the press conference ended, and Aymar shook hands with Urbano Cairo before stepping off the stage, the battle of expectations had begun.
...
...
After the press conference, Aymar Zambo was officially in charge of Torino.
The next two days were spent finalizing key transfers. Aymar, alongside club president Urbano Cairo, oversaw the signings of Mattias Cassani, Louis Hutt, Emanuele Torrisi, and Gianluca Nicco. With negotiations settled, the players were set to join Torino, marking the beginning of the club's much-needed rebuild.
Meanwhile, Aymar received updates regarding his coaching staff.
Pippo Glaviano had successfully reached out to Eva Carneiro, who was currently working with West Ham United. At first, she was hesitant, unsure if moving to Italy was the right step. However, after discussing Aymar's project and the trust he was willing to place in her, she was convinced. Carneiro would oversee injury prevention, fitness monitoring, and rehabilitation—a vital role given the club's reliance on both experienced veterans and young players adjusting to Serie A.
Pierino Fanna, meanwhile, had been working on bringing in Eusebio Di Francesco, who had been serving as a sporting director in Val di Sangro. Despite his background in management, Di Francesco had a strong tactical mind, particularly in developing midfield structures and pressing schemes. Given Aymar's desire to impose a high-intensity, structured playing style, he would be a valuable addition.
Alongside him, Francesco Tomei, a specialist in technical training and ball control, also agreed to join the staff. Tomei and Di Francesco had previously collaborated, with the latter focusing on offensive tactics, while Tomei worked on refining individual player technique. Their partnership would ensure that Torino played a more structured and fluid style of football.
With his backroom staff assembled, Aymar's focus shifted to reinforcements on the pitch. He had already targeted two crucial signings—young players with immense potential who could define Torino's future.
Now, he was preparing for two trips—one to Toulouse, France, and the other to Pruszków, Poland. His targets were resting before the new season began, and this was the perfect time to finalize these deals.
He hoped to return to Torino with both signings secured—an important step toward shaping his vision for the team.