章 7: Rebellion and Resolution
When Situ Yunbing returned to his office, he found Alonzo carefully reading through a stack of documents. Curious, Situ Yunbing asked, "What are you looking at?"
Alonzo put the file down and replied, "I'm reviewing the report on Monaco's current situation."
It was the same report that had been left in the office by the previous coach, Gomes. Situ Yunbing himself had only skimmed through it when he first took over the role.
Alonzo leaned back and exhaled deeply. As Situ Yunbing sat down at his desk, Alonzo quickly poured him a glass of water and asked, "Where have you been?"
Situ Yunbing then shared his recent meeting with the club president, De Bontin. Seeing Alonzo frown, Situ Yunbing asked, "What's wrong? You don't seem too happy. If I can stay on as coach into November, you'll have a full-time job and stable income."
Alonzo gave a bitter smile. "That's true, but... you lost to Lorient yesterday. Do you know who Monaco faces next?"
Situ Yunbing sat up straight in his chair and blurted out, "Marseille, away!"
He let out a long sigh. The pressure was mounting. For now, simply avoiding dismissal from De Bontin was already an achievement.
The entire club was in turmoil. Players, fans, and the media were all calling for his sacking. The fact that he was still in his seat was already an improbable victory.
"Regardless of who we're facing next, you absolutely cannot lose again!" Alonzo said, sitting beside him with a serious tone. "But tell me, how many players are actually willing to fight for you right now?"
Situ Yunbing waved him off. "Let's not get into that right now. The most urgent thing is that I need to reestablish our tactical system. Yesterday's defeat taught me a hard lesson. Monaco isn't suited to playing a possession-based, high-pressing style. We don't have the personnel or the quality for that."
Alonzo, though unfamiliar with the full scope of Situ Yunbing's vision of a possession-based, pressing style, nodded in agreement. "Yes, yesterday's approach was toothless and left us vulnerable. The gaps between lines were too wide, and the opposition had too much space to counterattack."
Situ Yunbing knew he had made a costly error, blinded by optimism. He had been drawn to the allure of attractive football—the kind of football Barcelona played so beautifully.
But Monaco was far from being Barcelona. The players weren't on that level, not even close. The understanding, technical ability, and tactical discipline required for such a style were miles beyond what his team could deliver.
In football, much like in life, the more perfect something is, the more fragile and difficult it becomes to achieve. Beautiful, free-flowing football is a luxury, and few teams can sustain it.
On the pitch, attacking is difficult; defending is easier. Creating something special takes time and effort; destroying it happens in an instant.
That's why few teams commit fully to offensive football. Even the giants of Europe often fall back on pragmatism, especially when the pressure mounts. Only a select few can maintain a commitment to attack over long periods, and even fewer achieve lasting success with it.
Take Arsenal, for example. Under Arsène Wenger, they initially found immense success by playing defensively and countering sharply. But after shifting to a more expansive, attacking approach, they endured years without silverware. Or Real Madrid, where, after years of disappointment, Fabio Capello was brought in to secure a La Liga title. Despite winning the championship, Capello wasn't retained because the fans demanded not just titles, but attacking football—a nearly impossible balance to achieve consistently.
It was precisely because Barcelona had conquered Europe playing a fluid, offensive style that so many fans idolized them.
Despite the admiration Mourinho has earned for his numerous accolades, he has not garnered widespread support in public opinion, largely due to his conservative style of football.
Situ Yunbing had learned from his own mistakes and was now in the process of self-correction.
He turned to Alonzo and said, "We need to develop a solid defensive strategy."
Alonzo, puzzled, responded, "Why do we need to create one from scratch? Aren't there plenty of established defensive systems to draw from?"
After all, Italian football, known for its defensive mastery, or Chelsea under Mourinho's reign, were both prime examples of well-executed defensive tactics.
But Situ Yunbing shook his head. "There's a difference between style and tactics. My goal hasn't changed. It's not just about not losing the next game—it's about winning the league title at the end of the season.
Conventional defensive tactics might improve Monaco's results, but they won't make us champions in a way that sets us apart."
Alonzo had initially joined Situ Yunbing with modest aspirations: a stable job that allowed him to immerse himself in his passion for football. Now, however, he found himself admiring Yunbing's ambition. Despite their current struggles, Yunbing still had his sights set on the league title!
That level of vision and determination was something Alonzo had to respect.
"Do you have any ideas?" Alonzo asked. "Honestly, I'm lost. I wouldn't know where to begin if we're talking about innovating on defensive counterattacks."
Situ Yunbing fell into deep thought, his fingers rhythmically tapping the desk. His greatest advantage lay in his understanding of football's evolving trends, but many things from his memory were vague.
He had tried to implement a possession-based style at Monaco, but the attempt had failed. He realized that establishing an effective system wasn't as simple as copying what worked for top-tier teams.
In his mind, Barcelona's influence on European football would last for at least another decade, but there were also other tactical systems that emerged to counter Barcelona's dominance. Among them, Atlético Madrid's approach stood out the most.
In the years to come, three teams would dominate European football: Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.
From 2011 onward, Real Madrid would reach the Champions League semi-finals every year, ultimately winning four titles in five years. Barcelona would win three Champions League titles over the next seven years. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, though winning only one title, would consistently make the semi-finals seven times in the following decade.
And then there was Atlético Madrid—often considered underdogs compared to the giants of Europe. Despite their limited resources, they would reach the Champions League semi-finals three times, even reaching the final twice, though ultimately falling short. Still, they would capture a La Liga title, breaking the duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
For a team like Atlético, these results were nothing short of extraordinary, and their tactics were truly unique in European football. Unlike the possession-dominant, high-pressing style of the top teams, Atlético thrived on a system that prioritized disruption over creation.
Situ Yunbing glanced at his current Monaco squad. It was clear that pursuing a philosophy of destruction—breaking up the opposition's play—was far more practical than trying to emulate the creation-heavy tactics of teams like Barcelona.
After finalizing his thoughts, he began outlining his vision to Alonzo, explaining the tactical system he wanted to build and how he hoped it would play out on the field.
Football tactics, in theory, seem simple. You plan a formation, position the right players, define key attacking and defensive roles, and establish a set of defensive principles.
But in practice, it's anything but simple.
There are countless factors to consider: the interplay between different players' attributes, clearly defining their responsibilities, preparing for rapid in-game changes, and ensuring that all players have the tactical discipline and awareness to execute the plan.
Situ Yunbing had hired Alonzo because he believed Alonzo could help him with the finer details.
His strength lay in setting up the broader framework and coming up with innovative ideas. He was confident that his ideas could work—now, the challenge was to figure out how to bring them to life. That's where Alonzo's attention to detail would prove invaluable.
...
...
At 10:30 in the morning, at Monaco's training ground, the atmosphere was tense.
The coaching staff had arrived early, but they stood somewhat aimlessly as they watched the players trickling in. They hadn't seen Situ Yunbing all morning, and after the mutiny in the dressing room following last night's match, they assumed he had fled Monaco for good.
Surely, after such open rebellion, Situ Yunbing would be too shaken to set foot at the club again.
The players grouped together in small clusters across the training pitch, as if nothing had happened. Some were casually kicking a ball around for fun, while only a few showed any concern for the uncertain future.
A large group had gathered around Patrick Müller, who seemed to have gained a measure of prestige after leading the confrontation against the coach the previous night.
Assistant coach Petit stood with his hands behind his back, clearly worried. The team seemed leaderless, and that could only mean more trouble for Monaco. With the next match against Marseille looming, his only hope was that a new manager would arrive before the weekend to salvage the situation.
Just as Petit was preparing to take charge of the team's recovery training, coach Colleter tugged his arm, nodding toward something behind him.
Petit turned and saw an unexpected sight: Situ Yunbing, striding purposefully toward them, accompanied by a young man who seemed even younger than Situ himself.
The players on the pitch noticed as well. One by one, they stopped what they were doing, their attention now firmly fixed on the returning coach.
Müller's expression darkened. After their clash in the dressing room, he had no intention of backing down now. His stance was clear: he was prepared to fight Situ Yunbing to the end.
No one had expected Situ Yunbing to return, let alone with someone so young by his side.
Situ Yunbing, his face set with cold determination, greeted Petit and the rest of the coaching staff with a firm nod. There was no hesitation, no hint of retreat in his demeanor.
When he was about five meters from the players, he clapped his hands sharply, his voice cutting through the tension, "Assemble!"
Though many of the players had openly criticized him the night before, they still gathered together, obeying his command.
There was something different about him today—his presence was more commanding, colder, almost imposing. The players sensed it immediately. Situ Yunbing's authority was palpable.
Once the squad was lined up in front of him, he spoke without a trace of warmth, "Patrick Müller, Lukman Haruna, Yannick Sagbo, Kévin Diaz, Freddy Adu, Park Chu-young, Djamel Bakar, Distel Zola. Step forward."
The players exchanged confused glances, unsure of what was happening. None of the eight moved.
Situ Yunbing repeated their names, his tone even more severe, "You eight. Step forward. Now."
Müller stepped forward arrogantly, followed by the others, standing beside him. He was eager to see what Situ Yunbing had to say. If Situ thought he could win them over with a few kind words, Müller was sure the coach was deluding himself.
Situ Yunbing narrowed his eyes, scanning the faces of the eight players before delivering a bombshell that left everyone stunned.
"The eight of you are relegated to the reserve team as of now. The first team has no need for you. Get out of my sight."
The players were frozen in shock. It took a moment for them to realize what had just been said.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Situ Yunbing continued, his tone growing sharper. "Go home or head to the reserves. Don't waste any more of our time."
Müller was the first to react, his voice venomous as he snapped back, "You don't have the authority to do this! You're not even our coach anymore!"
Situ Yunbing didn't flinch. He shouted back, "Who gave you the right to decide that? I'm still the head coach of Monaco. Do you dare defy my orders? Is this how a professional player should behave?"
Müller, seething with fury, barked out a laugh. "I'll go to the chairman!"
"Be my guest. Do whatever you want," Situ Yunbing replied coolly.
Without another word, Müller stormed off, heading straight to De Bontin's office.
Freddy Adu stepped up next, ready to argue, but Situ Yunbing cut him off with a dismissive wave. "Don't waste my time. Just go. Disappear."
Adu's face twisted with anger. He, too, turned and walked away, following Müller's path. Seeing this, the others—Sagbo, Diaz, Bakar, and Zola—quickly followed suit, unwilling to engage further.
Only Chu-young Park remained, standing uncertainly. His translator approached Situ Yunbing and pleaded, "Everyone was in a bad mood after yesterday's loss…"
But Situ Yunbing interrupted him without hesitation. "I don't care what mood they were in. Did you not hear me? Go to the reserve team. I don't want to see any of you again. Your presence here disrupts the entire team."
The translator's face flushed with embarrassment. Realizing the conversation was over, he led a dejected Chu-young Park away.
They probably still clung to some hope—after all, Park Chu-young was seen as a key player in Monaco's marketing push to the Korean market. They likely thought that while Situ Yunbing was acting rashly, De Bontin would step in and reverse the decision.
With eight players and their translator gone, the training ground felt noticeably lighter. Situ Yunbing surveyed the remaining players, who looked shocked by what had just unfolded.
His demeanor softened slightly as he addressed them, but his tone remained serious.
"I know what you're all thinking," he began. "You think the team is falling apart, that the future looks bleak. But you're wrong—completely wrong.
Ask yourselves—what have those players who just left contributed to Monaco? What have they given us?"
He paused, letting the question hang in the air.
"Last night's game proved that they don't have the ability to handle pressure. Worse, they don't care about the team. Players like that are a cancer to the squad—cutting them out is the best thing for Monaco."
Situ Yunbing's voice grew firmer as he continued. "They were dragging us all down. My work was being disrupted, your opportunities were being limited, and our morale was being destroyed because of them.
So, let me ask you again—can we fight?"
The players, still caught off guard, remained silent.
"Of course we can fight!" Situ Yunbing answered his own question, his voice rising. "Not only can we fight for Monaco, we will. I'm not worried about losing them. In fact, I'm relieved. Now I can focus entirely on you. I can put all my energy into developing those of you who are committed to this team. And trust me, that's where my efforts belong."
He took a step forward, meeting their eyes directly. "Now I expect the same from you. You're professional players. And what's the most important thing for players?"
He waited, letting the question sink in before answering himself. "It's simple: play the game, and win the game. Nothing else should matter. So clear your minds, focus on your jobs, and let's get to work."
With that, he clapped his hands together. "Alright, training starts now."
After Situ Yunbing finished speaking, Milonas translated his words, though most of the players understood him well enough.
While it couldn't be said that Situ Yunbing's speech fully inspired the team, there was an undeniable shift in their mentality. With eight players banished to the reserve team, the remaining squad suddenly found themselves with new opportunities.
Players who were previously fighting just to make the bench now saw a clear path to becoming starters. This realization alone was enough to inject a new level of motivation into their efforts.
Situ Yunbing had, in effect, given them a gift: a chance. If another coach had come in and reinstated the eight exiled players, most of them would have been relegated back to their previous roles, competing for limited spots. Now, however, the landscape had changed.
With more than 20 players left, their focus shifted entirely to the task at hand. They approached training with renewed seriousness, free from distractions.
The morning training session lasted an hour. During this time, Situ Yunbing and Alonzo stayed close, observing the players' performances and exchanging their thoughts, analyzing strengths and areas for improvement.
The session wrapped up quickly, and as the team made their way toward the restaurant for lunch, De Bontin appeared at the side of the training ground. He eyed Jerome Alonzo briefly but dismissed him as unimportant—the club wasn't paying him a salary, after all, so he wasn't a concern.
Once the players had left, De Bontin stopped Situ Yunbing, his expression stern. "I gave you a chance, but that doesn't mean I'll let you run wild! You sent eight players down to the reserve team, including some of our key summer signings! What exactly are you doing? Is this some kind of revenge?"
Situ Yunbing responded calmly, his tone unbothered. "Do you think Manchester United never make mistakes in their signings? Or that Real Madrid are flawless in the transfer market? Even the biggest clubs have repeatedly made errors with their signings—so why should Monaco be any different?
Yes, we spent money on these players, a lot of it, and for a club that's struggling financially, it's a big deal. But if they're not contributing value to Monaco, should we just keep them on the team for the sake of it?"
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "I have an agreement with you, and I expect us both to honor it. Right now, I'm the head coach, and I need the freedom to build this team in the way I see fit. When we first spoke, I told you that you are the brain of this club. So, think carefully—if you fire me now and bring those eight players back, who's going to manage them?
If you can't bring in a big-name coach, they'll walk all over whoever you appoint. They'll know they can get rid of a coach whenever they please. If you let that happen, those players will become a cancer in this club."
De Bontin's usual calm, dignified demeanor had vanished. Situ Yunbing's words hit hard, and he found himself struggling to respond. He clenched his jaw, his frustration boiling over.
"My brain must be crazy for giving you this much freedom!" De Bontin muttered, clearly agitated, but he couldn't refute Situ Yunbing's point.
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