Starting With Real Madrid

"I suddenly feel like we're getting old," Lippi said, leaning closer to Ulivieri with a self-deprecating laugh.

Ulivieri nodded in agreement, sharing the sentiment.

The atmosphere in the auditorium remained lively, with constant laughter echoing throughout the room.

During Gao Shen's speech, the audience had been attentive and serious, many taking notes. But once the Q&A session began, the mood shifted, and the room became animated and even chaotic.

Everyone wanted to ask a question, and Gao Shen didn't limit them. Any topic was fair game: Napoli's recent loss of the league lead, his personal life, why he turned down Barcelona, or whether he'd return to Real Madrid in the future.

The questions came without boundaries.

Gao Shen, with his characteristic humor, answered everything. No matter how sensitive or unconventional the question, he provided a response, often mixing wit and levity that left the audience roaring with laughter.

For example, someone asked why he was so active on Twitter.

He replied with a grin, "Because I'm a shareholder."

The crowd burst into laughter, thinking it was just a joke. But Gao Shen followed up seriously, explaining that he genuinely was a shareholder.

"When they were raising funds, I was their user with the most followers, even more than the U.S. president at the time. I found that exciting, so I invested a considerable amount. Now, I'm a shareholder."

He paused for effect before adding, "Based on their current valuation, I've probably earned a few million euros already."

This revelation caused a stir among the audience.

Who would have thought that Gao Shen's Twitter habit wasn't just casual scrolling but a lucrative investment? And how long did it take him to make such a fortune?

It didn't stop there. Gao Shen went on to share that a sponsor once approached him, offering €100,000 for a single promotional tweet over 100 words long.

"I turned it down," Gao Shen said, shaking his head. "Their offer was too low."

The room erupted again, half in shock and half in amusement.

The idea of making money by scrolling Twitter was mind-blowing for many in the audience. Some were likely considering signing up for Twitter themselves, dreaming of becoming influencers and raking in money, rather than grinding it out as coaches.

Meanwhile, Lippi and Ulivieri, seated in the front row, exchanged bewildered glances.

They'd heard of Twitter and the internet, but they didn't fully understand it. Watching Gao Shen captivate the crowd so effortlessly, they couldn't deny that this "modern stuff" seemed incredibly popular and advanced.

Both men reached the same conclusion: they were old. Or, as they preferred to frame it, "mature."

In contrast, Gao Shen was vibrant, confident, and full of energy. His words carried conviction, and when he got excited, it felt as though he was commanding the world.

"I've heard of Twitter," Ulivieri said, almost wistfully. "I heard old man Sacchi uses it a lot. He even moved his column there."

That was influence.

Of course, everyone knew Lippi and Sacchi didn't get along.

During Sacchi's peak, Lippi had publicly criticized him, claiming that Sacchi's tactics weren't revolutionary but merely a different way of training.

However, with the rise of modern football trends—largely aligned with Sacchi's ideas, his reputation had grown even stronger, while Lippi's earlier comments now seemed like sour grapes.

"Gao Shen is truly talented," Lippi admitted begrudgingly. "But his one flaw is that he's too close to Sacchi."

Lippi then turned to Ulivieri, adding, "Our Coaches Association needs to find more ways to collaborate with him. Events like today's are so beneficial. Everyone learned a lot, and the atmosphere was fantastic. We should do more of this in the future."

Ulivieri understood what Lippi was implying.

Coverciano's Ladder Lecture Hall was prestigious, but most speakers treated it with such seriousness that their lectures often felt dry and overly academic. Many coaches lacked public speaking skills, and while the content was valuable, it failed to engage the audience.

Gao Shen, however, was a rare exception. He combined valuable insights with humor and charisma, creating an experience that was both informative and entertaining.

It would be a shame to let Sacchi—or anyone else—monopolize such a talent.

Beyond that, events like this could benefit both Coverciano and Gao Shen himself. The turnout alone was proof of Gao Shen's influence, and as word spread, his reputation within European football would only grow.

Titles like "famous coach" were often fleeting, especially when bestowed by the media. A string of losses, and the title could vanish overnight.

But recognition from peers within the football world? That carried real weight.

Take Conte, for example. Bari's attacking players might not be delivering results, but why were so many young talents joining Bari?

Because their head coach was Antonio Conte.

Sometimes, reputation alone could make all the difference.

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Gao Shen had been in the industry long enough to understand the unwritten rules of every profession. One universal truth was the importance of respecting one's predecessors.

Whether the respect was genuine or simply polite, it was crucial to make the effort.

Gao Shen knew when to shine and when to dial it back.

Napoli was about to face a series of tough matches: Juventus at home, Zenit in freezing St. Petersburg, and then Lazio away. Each game presented unique challenges, but Gao Shen remained calm and confident.

"The harder the battles, the more valuable the lessons, and the greater the team's improvement," he said. "And don't forget, our opponents have their own struggles. That's why critical moments often present opportunities to pull ahead."

Before wrapping up his speech, Gao Shen thanked Ulivieri, Lippi, and all the senior figures present, as well as the Coaches Association for giving him the opportunity to speak.

He humbly described himself as a rookie, still learning after less than three years in the profession. He expressed his hope to continue improving by studying with such esteemed colleagues.

This humility earned him another round of warm applause.

Before leaving the auditorium, Gao Shen had Lucas bring out a camera to capture a group photo with everyone present. Standing at the foot of the auditorium stairs, surrounded by the crowd, Gao Shen smiled alongside the attendees, who were all beaming.

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After the speech, the Coaches Association hosted a buffet lunch at Coverciano, allowing further discussions and networking.

Gao Shen gladly attended, spending the lunch surrounded by people eager to ask questions or simply chat with him.

He also made time to connect with Klopp, Tuchel, Pochettino, and others, thanking them for attending his lecture and exchanging contact information. The three were visibly flattered by Gao Shen's warmth and sincerity.

After lunch, Gao Shen accepted Lippi's invitation to visit the nearby national team training center, where he observed the Italian squad's afternoon session.

Interestingly, the squad featured three Napoli players: Maggio, Bonucci, and Pellè. Both Bonucci and Pellè had performed well during the Olympics, while Cannavaro Jr. had started losing his place both at the club and with the national team.

For Gao Shen, this was simply a matter of merit. With Bonucci and David Luiz excelling, it was difficult to justify more opportunities for Cannavaro. However, Gao Shen still valued his role as a vice-captain, particularly off the pitch, where his experience and local ties were invaluable.

Players like Montevino, for example, rarely played but were instrumental in maintaining team morale and cohesion.

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By evening, Gao Shen left Coverciano and headed to Florence Airport, returning to Naples.

The trip had been immensely rewarding, not just for the speech but for the connections he had made and the insights he had gained.

Witnessing the heart of Italian football's coaching system had been eye-opening. It revealed not just the vast gap between systems but the incredible depth and structure that underpinned Italian football.

While the disparity was daunting, Gao Shen believed it was better to see the gap clearly than to remain ignorant of it.

Ignorance, after all, was never a virtue.

Back in Naples, Gao Shen turned his focus to preparing for the upcoming matches.

The challenges ahead were formidable. Juventus was stronger than ever, the trip to Zenit meant subzero temperatures and thousands of kilometers of travel, and Lazio presented another tough test away from home.

However, Inter Milan, Napoli's primary rival, faced similar difficulties. Mourinho's side had its own challenging schedule, including Roma, the Champions League, and Genoa.

At this critical stage, it would all come down to who could endure and perform under pressure.

But Gao Shen was confident in his team.

Because this Napoli was no longer the Napoli of last season.