Here's a polished and concise rewrite of the passage while preserving the story's tension and key points:
Before David could fully process his sudden crossing into 2001, an unexpected visitor arrived at his door: the team's head coach, Jokie Scott, and a young man he didn't recognize.
Out of courtesy, David invited them in, though he wasn't thrilled to see Scott. The coach's poor track record spoke volumes—despite years of heavy investment, Notts County's performance had remained abysmal. David had already decided that Scott would be the first to go once he established control over the club.
Scott introduced the visitor with a smile, oblivious to David's impatience. "Mr. President, this is Gino Pozzo, of the Pozzo family that owns the Italian club Udinese. He's here to discuss an important matter with you."
David's ears perked up. The Pozzo family? The legendary football dynasty that would one day own multiple top clubs across Europe, including Watford? In his previous life, David had dubbed them "Europe's Black Shop" for their ruthless buy-low, sell-high player strategies. But what was Pozzo doing here in 2001?
Pozzo wasted no time. "Mr. Parvis, I'll be direct. I'm here to acquire Notts County. I know the club is struggling, and selling it might be your best option. I assure you, I've come with a sincere offer."
David narrowed his eyes. Selling Notts County was out of the question. Before he could respond, Scott chimed in, to David's disgust.
"Mr. President," Scott said with a forced smile, "I think Mr. Pozzo's offer is the best way forward. The club is in bad shape, and only someone with the Pozzo family's resources and expertise can save it. For the fans' sake, you should seriously consider this."
David felt his blood boil. The betrayal was palpable. "Mr. Scott," he said coldly, "don't forget your role. You're the coach of Notts County, not Udinese. I won't tolerate a traitor standing in front of me and accusing me of selfishness."
Scott's mask of civility dropped. "Without me, this club is doomed," he sneered. "If you don't sell, I won't renew my contract. And by the way, two of the team's midfielders feel the same—they're planning to leave. Without us, you'll be relegated next season!"
David shot back, his voice like ice. "That's wonderful. I'll open a bottle of wine to celebrate your departure. A coach like you is a liability, not an asset."
Pozzo, who had been quietly observing the argument, interjected. "Mr. Parvis, perhaps you should reconsider. I'm offering £800,000 and full coverage of the club's debts. This is a fair deal, and it can happen immediately."
David laughed bitterly. "£800,000? You call that sincerity? Meadow Lane Stadium alone is worth more than that."
Pozzo's smile faltered. "You'd rather cling to a sinking ship? That's foolish. I'm offering you a way out."
David leaned forward, his tone cutting. "Perhaps you should see a doctor, Mr. Pozzo. My hearing is fine, but maybe yours isn't. Let me make it clear: Notts County is not for sale."
Pozzo's frustration boiled over as he stood to leave. "Fine, stubborn Englishman. I'll buy another club in Nottingham and crush you. Let's see how long you last!"
As the door closed behind them, David smirked. The Pozzo family had just painted a target on their backs. Whether they bought Nottingham Forest or Mansfield Town, David vowed to outmaneuver them. Notts County would rise, and the Pozzos would regret the day they tried to steal his club.
Here's a concise and polished rewrite of this chapter:
David needed to confirm whether history had diverged from what he knew in his previous life. Fortunately, the major events remained unchanged: Manchester United won the Premier League, Roma topped Serie A, Real Madrid were La Liga champions, and the Champions League finalists were Bayern Munich and Valencia. Satisfied, David knew he could rely on his knowledge to build his future.
However, lofty ambitions required a solid foundation. With Notts County financially crippled, David took an unconventional step: he mortgaged the club, including Meadow Lane Stadium, to Barclays Bank for £2 million, leveraging his late father's connections to secure the loan. He kept this move under wraps, sharing it only with the club's finance department.
But fate wasn't kind. A bank staff member, a die-hard Nottingham Forest fan, leaked the news to the press. Local media painted David as reckless, and rival Nottingham Forest fans celebrated, mocking Notts County's apparent demise. Meanwhile, loyal Notts County supporters were outraged, protesting outside the club headquarters and even David's residence. Some threatened violence, their trust in their young chairman shattered.
Unfazed, David was already executing his plan. With the borrowed funds, he placed strategic bets across English and foreign bookmakers on the upcoming Champions League final, a match he knew by heart. Bayern Munich and Valencia would draw 1-1 in regular time, with Bayern ultimately winning on penalties. Odds for a 1-1 draw ranged from 6.7 to 9.0, offering a lucrative opportunity to multiply his investment.
David spread his bets to avoid suspicion and maximize returns. He even considered betting on other specific events, like the timing of goals or first scorers, but bookmakers quickly limited his wagers, sensing his confidence.
On the day of the final, David attended the match at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan. As Valencia's Mendieta scored a penalty in the third minute and Bayern's Effenberg equalized in the 50th, David's nerves grew taut despite knowing the outcome. When the whistle blew at the end of regular time, confirming the 1-1 draw, he nearly collapsed from the emotional strain.
The penalty shootout didn't matter for his bets, but as a football fan, David stayed to witness the drama unfold. When Pellegrino missed Valencia's decisive penalty, handing Bayern the trophy, David felt a mix of triumph and nostalgia. He envisioned a future where Notts County, too, could rise to these heights and compete among Europe's elite.
With his winnings secured, David now had the financial foundation to begin transforming Notts County. His dream of turning the club into a powerhouse had just taken its first step.
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