Tactics are important, but the head coach is not important?
Isn't that contradictory?
No, not at all.
Because of division of labor and collaboration.
When the responsibilities that once solely belonged to the head coach are divided into specialized roles handled by professionals, and even a head coach's understanding of the game and the players can be analyzed through data, models, and technical tools, then where does the head coach's value truly lie?
He is still the team's leader, responsible for selecting players for matches, and must be an excellent communicator.
Yes, communication.
In today's European football, communicating effectively with young players, club management, and the media has become a required skill for head coaches, and in many cases, even more important than other capabilities.
There has always been a saying in European football: coaching is a high-risk job.
Compared to rebuilding a team or finding a new core player, sacking a head coach is by far the easiest and least disruptive action to take. That's why the head coach often becomes the scapegoat, the one who bears the risk.
Conflicts between players and coaches are an eternal storyline in football history.
Liverpool legend Bill Shankly once said during a meeting: "In a football club, there are only three sacred elements: the players, the manager, and the fans. The board should not interfere. Their only job is to sign the cheques."
This statement represented a long-standing tradition. But now, and even years ago, it is no longer applicable.
What Gao Shen wants to do now is to completely subvert the existing management model of world football.
…
"You want to become a technical service provider like Luís Campos?"
Wenger understood what Gao Shen meant and was quietly surprised.
This ambition was not small.
After all, European football does indeed have a strong demand for this kind of service.
Gao Shen chuckled and shook his head. "Professor, are you underestimating me?"
Wenger's wrinkled face furrowed slightly. Was this underestimating him?
"I can do everything Luís Campos can do, and I can do everything he can't. Do you think I'd be willing to just be like him? He's only a consultant."
Gao Shen's words genuinely shocked Wenger.
This sounded like ambition on another level.
"So, what you're saying is…" Wenger's heart trembled slightly.
Ever since he met Gao Shen, he always felt that this man constantly exceeded expectations.
"My team and I can directly take over a club's first team, even the youth academy, and provide comprehensive technical services."
Wenger's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? Take over the first team?"
After a pause, Wenger shook his head firmly. "That's impossible."
"Why is it impossible?" Gao Shen asked with a smile.
"Who would be willing to let you directly run their first team? You'd be in charge of forming the squad, recruiting players, and from what you're saying, you also plan to provide a full package of technical services, including data analysis, player development, daily training, and match management. Then…"
Gradually, the more Wenger spoke, the more he felt this idea was ridiculous, but also the more he thought about it, the more he felt it might be feasible.
Why?
Because Gao Shen genuinely has a world-class team. Every member is a top expert in their respective field. He also has a world-class data analysis system, which has even evolved into artificial intelligence.
If a club were to hand over operations to him, management would save a lot of effort. They would simply pay an annual service fee and oversee the implementation of his plan.
This kind of arrangement would be very tempting for many clubs.
For them, there is not much to lose. The players are still theirs. The facilities, both hardware and software, remain their property. If agreed upon in the contract, Gao Shen's team could even help train internal staff during their tenure.
Before Luís Campos, no one had attempted this kind of model in European football.
Gao Shen was essentially evolving that model further.
But this was so disruptive.
"Has any club expressed willingness to work with you?" Wenger asked the biggest question on his mind.
Gao Shen laughed immediately. "Yes."
"Really?"
Gao Shen nodded with certainty.
"I had dinner with Rummenigge from Bayern Munich and Nasser from Paris Saint-Germain. Rummenigge said it was innovative and shocking, but needed careful study. Nasser directly told me that PSG is very interested."
Wenger suddenly understood.
So that's what the media meant when they reported that Gao Shen had dined with Rummenigge and Nasser. Many assumed he was negotiating a coaching return.
But that wasn't it.
Gao Shen was discussing business partnerships.
"So, you signed with Paris Saint-Germain?"
"Mind your wording, Professor," Gao Shen reminded him. "I didn't sign. My company did."
Wenger smiled awkwardly. "Got it, got it. So, did your company sign?"
"No," Gao Shen shook his head.
Wenger was stunned. "Did Paris Saint-Germain back out?"
"Of course not," Gao Shen laughed. "Nasser and PSG are still very interested, but they had one special condition."
"What was it?"
"The contract stated that during our partnership, my company is not allowed to work with other top clubs."
Understood.
What PSG wanted was exclusivity. They wanted to monopolize Gao Shen's resources and ensure that his company provided services only to them.
"You refused?"
"Of course. If I agree to that, how is it any different from coaching PSG?" Gao Shen replied confidently.
Wenger nodded in agreement.
What Gao Shen said made perfect sense.
The greatest advantage of this new model was that it maximized the interests of Gao Shen and his team. More importantly, it allowed them to work with multiple clubs simultaneously.
"So, you haven't contacted any other teams yet?" Wenger asked, intrigued.
Gao Shen shook his head. "Not yet. I only recently made the decision. So far, I've only talked to PSG and Bayern. Apart from that, it's just my core team and you."
Wenger couldn't help but feel a bit pleased.
At least this proved that he still held an important place in Gao Shen's plans.
"You haven't told old Ferguson?" Wenger asked sarcastically.
Gao Shen caught his meaning and laughed. "When it comes to embracing new technology, he's not as open-minded as you are."
That immediately made Wenger smile.
If someone else had said this, Wenger might not have taken it seriously. But coming from Gao Shen?
Even the most serious people would believe it.
"But the issue is, you don't have any clients right now."
"Don't worry. With Leeds United as the benchmark, clients will come. I plan to assemble a full team first and prove our ability. Once we've earned trust, who would worry about getting clients?"
Just like Luís Campos. Without the success at Lille, clubs like Galatasaray and Celta Vigo would never have reached out to him.
Wenger admired Gao Shen's foresight. "But there's still one more issue."
"Go ahead."
"If, like you said, a club outsources its entire first-team operations, including transfers, training, and matches to your company, then how can the club's core identity be preserved?"
Gao Shen smiled. "Professor, you've hit the nail on the head."
"Remember, we've talked about this before. Professional football is essentially entertainment, but satisfying fans isn't just about results."
Wenger nodded. They had discussed this previously and had reached a consensus.
Results fluctuate. No one can guarantee victory or winning a championship. That's unrealistic.
Some fans might say they support Real Madrid because they're a rich club.
But let's be clear. What that fan expressed in that moment was identification with Real Madrid. He defined himself as a Real Madrid supporter.
"This sense of identity has the most profound impact on a football club. In fact, it's what sets football apart from other sports. It's also why the World Cup, held only once every four years, still manages to captivate the entire globe."
"Because nationality is the strongest identity on this planet. Representing your country is the ultimate honor. Loyalty to your national team is the purest and most original form of fandom, even if the team is terrible."
Gao Shen thought of a certain national team that couldn't be criticized.
A son doesn't resent his mother's ugliness. A mother doesn't reject her son's poverty.
It may be sad, but it's true.
"The core values of a club are all built around this sense of identity: who we are, what we believe, how we want to be seen, what we accept, and what we cannot tolerate."
"The club must stick to its identity and values. These must be closely tied to its brand culture and used as the force to unite its fanbase."
"That's why a team's style of play matters. It's part of the club's identity."
"Clubs that advocate attacking football shouldn't hire conservative coaches. Teams like Atlético Madrid, who emphasize physical battles, shouldn't bring in players who shy away from contact."
"Our job is to provide technical support aligned with the club's identity. The club itself should focus on shaping that identity, promoting its brand, and developing commercially."
Wenger understood.
Put simply, after the partnership is formed, the club focuses on making money, while Gao Shen's team is in charge of making it all look good.
Gao Shen had clearly thought it all through.
Everything he said showed that the entire model had already been structured.
If what Gao Shen said truly becomes reality, then his company would be the first in European football history, no, in world football history, to offer such a service.
One has to admit, Gao Shen's words were incredibly compelling.
Even Wenger, nearly 70 years old, found himself moved by the scale of the plan.
This was truly a project that could revolutionize European football.
"Alright, let's talk specifics now. What do you want me to do?"
(To be continued.)