章 14: Chapter 14
Situ Yunbing likely didn't expect his Monaco team to play with such bravery today.
In their previous match, they pulled off a surprising victory against Marseille. For this game, a few players were rotated, but those who stepped in exceeded expectations!
Many of the players in today's lineup hadn't seen much action since the start of the season, benefiting from Situ Yunbing's decision to send eight rebellious players, including Adu, to the reserves. It's clear that these players were fired up, eager to impress and secure a spot in the coach's plans moving forward. Their hunger was evident as they fought relentlessly on the pitch, seeking to earn the trust of Situ Yunbing and more playing time.
The first half flew by, with Monaco heading into the locker room holding a commanding 3-0 lead, practically securing the win.
Before heading in, Situ Yunbing was already thinking ahead to their next match at home against Lille over the weekend. With some of his key players in need of rest, he had a plan to manage their energy levels.
During halftime, Situ Yunbing instructed the team to adopt a more defensive approach in the second half. He wanted to slow the game down, manage the tempo, and protect their lead.
As the teams switched sides for the second half, Paris Saint-Germain was still reeling from the first-half blow. They looked hesitant, struggling to regain their composure on the field.
Monaco's defense stood firm, holding PSG at bay and keeping them from mounting any serious attacks. Paul Le Guen, PSG's manager, sat on the sidelines with an expression of resignation, aware that this cup match was not a priority for his side. However, what frustrated him was how the current scoreline threatened to turn into an embarrassment for Paris.
In the 60th minute, Situ Yunbing made his first changes, bringing off Nimani and Meriem, replacing them with Alonso on the right wing and Pérez in midfield.
This change saw Alonso take up the right-wing position, while Gakpé moved into the center forward role, and Pérez added steel to the midfield, further stifling PSG's attempts to build any offensive momentum.
As Meriem and Nimani came off the field, both players warmly embraced Situ Yunbing. It caught the coach slightly off guard but pleased him nonetheless. Earning the support and respect of his players at this crucial moment in Monaco's season was a welcome relief, and he could feel the shift in atmosphere—not only with the players but also among the fans.
Situ Yunbing remained on the sidelines, keeping a close eye on the game. Although he wasn't as animated as in the previous match, his focus never wavered. From time to time, he gave instructions, adjusting the team's positioning and ensuring they maintained defensive discipline.
By the 70th minute, it was clear that PSG had accepted defeat. Le Guen made defensive changes, withdrawing Rothen and a forward to reinforce the midfield and avoid further humiliation.
In the 75th minute, Situ Yunbing used his final substitution, bringing on Pino for Mollo. The young winger received a rousing ovation from the Monaco fans as he left the field, having put in a stellar performance on the left side, completely dismantling PSG's right-back.
As Mollo left the field, he high-fived Situ Yunbing and grinned, "Boss, I'm not even tired yet."
Situ Yunbing laughed and responded, "Save that energy for Lille this weekend!"
Mollo chuckled and took his seat on the bench, clearly satisfied with his contribution.
The result was now beyond doubt.
The match had drifted into garbage time, with both teams merely playing out the clock. Monaco's players remained focused, controlling possession and winding down the final minutes. PSG, on the other hand, seemed more intent on limiting the damage rather than fighting for a comeback.
When the final whistle blew, the Louis II Stadium erupted with applause and cheers from the Monaco faithful.
Situ Yunbing calmly approached Le Guen for a post-match handshake. The two managers exchanged a brief, silent nod. Le Guen had little to say as the defeated coach, while Situ Yunbing, remaining humble, didn't want to make a spectacle of his victory.
After the handshake, Situ Yunbing turned toward the main stand, clapping for the Monaco fans in appreciation for their support. He did this for about ten seconds before heading down the tunnel.
In the post-match interview, Situ Yunbing kept his emotions in check despite the triumph over PSG. When asked about the result, he said: "This was a League Cup match that, admittedly, doesn't draw much attention. PSG rested several of their key players, and we made some rotations as well. But we used the advantage of playing at home to put in a strong performance. I'm very satisfied with how the players executed our plan. Securing the win in the first half was a bit unexpected, but I think it shows something important—that our team is stronger than some may believe. We've been underestimated. We're not as bad as some in the media have claimed. I hope that with continued hard work and commitment from the players in training and matches, Monaco will earn the respect it deserves."
The next day, the French media were full of praise for Situ Yunbing's comments and the performance of his team.
As always, the media is quick to celebrate a win and even quicker to condemn a loss. Their job is to create headlines and capture attention—whether through praise or criticism. They have no lasting loyalties; it's all about the news cycle.
...
...
With two consecutive victories under their belt and the team's morale at an all-time high, Situ Yunbing returned to his modest bachelor apartment in a jubilant mood after the match.
Before hitting the shower and getting ready for bed, he decided to kick off the evening's ritual: the lottery draw.
In this League Cup match, he had only used one player card. His initial plan was to test the waters by using a single card and observing the effect. If the game had remained tightly contested by halftime, with both sides locked in an intense battle, he had been prepared to activate the "Benzema" card during the break.
However, with Monaco securing a comfortable lead in the first half, there was no need for additional reinforcements, and Situ Yunbing managed to save two valuable cards for future matches.
Sitting on the edge of his bed, Situ Yunbing clasped his hands together, murmuring a small prayer for luck before the draw began.
When he pulled the first card, his brow furrowed slightly.
Last season's best goalkeeper: Mandanda.
While Mandanda was undoubtedly one of the best keepers in Ligue 1, Situ Yunbing couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of disappointment. His preference had been to draw an attacking player, someone who could bolster his offensive options.
Still, after a moment of reflection, he realized how useful this card could be. Although Ruffier had performed admirably for Monaco, he wasn't quite at the elite level of goalkeepers like Mandanda. With the "Mandanda" card boosting his keeper's abilities, the team would be much harder to break down at the back.
"A top goalkeeper is like having half the team secured," he muttered to himself, trying to remain positive, though a hint of self-reassurance lingered in his voice.
When he drew the second card, he couldn't help but be stunned.
Last season's best midfielder in Ligue 1: Jérémy Toulalan.
Again, Situ Yunbing found himself wishing for a more attack-minded player. He had hoped for another forward like Benzema, someone who could turn the tide in the final third. Instead, he drew a midfielder, known more for his defensive qualities and ability to control the tempo in midfield.
Sighing, Situ Yunbing moved on to the final draw, now without any real expectation.
But this time, he was pleasantly surprised.
The familiar face of Mamadou Niang appeared on the card.
Now this was something he could work with! Situ Yunbing recalled how impactful the "Niang" card had been in their match against Marseille, where it had helped Meriem dominate and shine on the pitch. The memory of that performance instantly lifted his spirits, and his earlier disappointment faded.
Content with his final draw, Situ Yunbing went to bed in high spirits, knowing he had a few aces up his sleeve for the challenges ahead.
...
Monaco's search for a new coach had been temporarily shelved. De Bontin was casually approached by a reporter while he was out for dinner on Saturday, and when asked about the club's plans for a new manager, he nonchalantly replied, "Situ Yunbing is doing a good job, isn't he?"
This simple remark sent a clear message to the media: Monaco had no plans to fire Situ Yunbing anytime soon.
In reality, even if Monaco were to seek a new coach, those with the necessary reputation and skill would be reluctant to join the club in its current financial state. Monaco simply couldn't afford to attract a big-name manager. While there might be a few coaches willing to take a gamble on the position, Monaco was hesitant to take that risk. Rather than betting the future of the team on an uncertain option, they preferred to allow Situ Yunbing the chance to continue proving his worth.
As the weekend match against Lille approached, preparations continued smoothly. The game was scheduled for Sunday night, and on Saturday evening, after wrapping up training for the day, Situ Yunbing parted ways with his assistant, Alonzo, at the bus stop and walked home alone.
It was worth noting that Situ Yunbing had been living in a state of near pennilessness since his humiliating defeat to Lorient more than ten days ago.
Fortunately, he had a roof over his head, meals provided at the club, and didn't need to worry about transportation, as his legs served him well enough for now. Still, it wasn't an ideal situation.
What he didn't expect, however, was that later that night, as he lay on his bed flipping through TV channels to get a sense of what the French were watching, someone would come knocking with an unexpected offer.
Situ Yunbing glanced at the door, then reluctantly got up to answer it. To his surprise, it was Chu-young Park's translator standing in the doorway, smiling awkwardly.
Before Situ Yunbing could react, the translator stepped inside, still wearing a somewhat sheepish expression.
Situ Yunbing closed the door and turned to face him, arms crossed, already sensing that this wasn't a typical visit. The translator hesitated, eyeing the small, sparse room. Aside from the bed, there was only a single chair and a small coffee table. If he sat on the chair, Situ Yunbing would be forced to sit on the bed—clearly not the most professional setting for a conversation.
Impatient, Situ Yunbing asked, "What do you want?"
The translator forced a nervous laugh before responding, "I've come to apologize on behalf of Chu-young Park. You know, Park is a young player. He can get a little overwhelmed at times and easily influenced by others. But deep down, he really respects you."
Situ Yunbing wasn't buying it. He sneered and replied, "Are you trying to insult my intelligence? I know full well whether he respects me or not. If that's all you came to say, fine, I've heard it. Now leave. Don't waste my time."
The translator's face stiffened, clearly not expecting such a blunt response. He scrambled to continue, "You're a generous man. Just bring Chu-young Park back to the first team from the reserves. He's reflected deeply on his behavior. If you watch his training, you'll see his attitude is the best in the squad. We're all from Asia—it's not easy to make it in Europe. We should be supporting each other, right?"
Then, in a move that stunned Situ Yunbing, the translator pulled a thick stack of Euros from his pocket and placed it on the coffee table.
"I know things aren't easy for you here in Monaco, so this is a small gesture. Please take it. If it's not enough, just say the word."
Situ Yunbing's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the money. From the look of it, there were 500-euro notes, and the stack seemed to be worth around 20,000 euros—a substantial sum, equivalent to four months of his salary.
Despite the temptation gnawing at the back of his mind, Situ Yunbing's expression darkened. "Are you trying to insult me again?" he snapped. "First, you insult my intelligence, and now you insult my integrity! Take your money and get out!"
Though part of him wanted to accept the money—it was, after all, equivalent to more than 150,000 yuan when converted to RMB—Situ Yunbing knew he couldn't. Taking this bribe would put him in a compromising position, making him indebted to Chu-young Park and his camp. What's more, it would undermine everything he was trying to build with Monaco.
No, 20,000 euros wouldn't buy his principles.
Situ Yunbing had his sights firmly set on leading Monaco to the league title. Success would bring a far greater reward—a clean 2 million euros from De Bontin, earned legitimately. But if he failed, well, the money wouldn't matter.
Refusing the bribe was the only option.
Seeing that Situ Yunbing was truly angry, the translator quickly rose to his feet, looking flustered. But before he could leave, Situ Yunbing grabbed the stack of money and shoved it into his hands. "Take your money and get out!" he barked.
The translator wasted no time, bolting for the door and fleeing the apartment.
As he disappeared down the hall, Situ Yunbing sighed, feeling a mixture of frustration and resolve. He didn't know whether this incident would make Chu-young Park's situation at Monaco worse, but one thing was certain—he would not be compromised.
...
...
Many of the players sent to the reserve team by Situ Yunbing had been left in limbo for nearly two weeks. With Monaco's recent back-to-back victories, tensions were rising among those sidelined players, and they were becoming restless.
For example, Chu-young Park attempted to salvage his situation by sending his translator to bribe Situ Yunbing, hoping for a return to the first team.
Meanwhile, Freddy Adu chose a different approach, publicly criticizing both Situ Yunbing and chairman De Bontin in the media, while Distel Zola announced his intention to leave Monaco altogether.
On the day of the evening match against Lille, De Bontin invited Situ Yunbing out for lunch.
Although Situ Yunbing had already eaten at the club's restaurant, he reluctantly agreed to leave and joined De Bontin in his luxurious Maybach sedan. Situ Yunbing had ridden in it before, but now, sitting inside and admiring the sleek interior, he couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. The thought of owning such a car crossed his mind.
"If you hadn't modified your contract, and you continue working hard, you could be driving one of these next year," De Bontin commented, almost as if reading Situ Yunbing's thoughts.
However, Situ Yunbing, with a determined look, replied nonchalantly, "I'll definitely have one by next summer!"
De Bontin, momentarily taken aback, then smiled. "You still have your sights on the league title, I see. Good. I admire your ambition, just as I did when you first arrived."
Situ Yunbing merely murmured to himself, "Stay the course, and the results will follow."
"What was that?" De Bontin asked.
"Nothing," Situ Yunbing replied with a grin.
This lunch invitation was a far cry from their first meal together when De Bontin had taken him to a humble restaurant on his first day in Monaco. Today, they were dining at a Michelin three-star restaurant in the heart of Monaco. The restaurant was exquisitely decorated, and the staff were warm and attentive. Though Situ Yunbing was dressed in sportswear, and clearly stood out from the well-dressed clientele, he didn't let it bother him. After all, having already faced life-and-death stakes with the system, there wasn't much that could make him uncomfortable anymore.
Still, he couldn't help but feel a little out of place as he sat down.
De Bontin ordered his preferred dishes, then handed the menu to Situ Yunbing. Flipping through it, Situ Yunbing only recognized the pictures, as the menu was in French. Before he could ask, the waiter promptly brought him an English version.
Situ Yunbing scanned the menu, but still unsure of the dishes, he asked the waiter for recommendations. After ordering, the waiter opened a bottle of fine red wine and prepared to serve it. However, De Bontin, waving the waiter off, personally poured the wine for Situ Yunbing, an act that made him feel slightly flattered.
Just as Situ Yunbing lifted the glass to take a sip, De Bontin said with a smile, "Don't misunderstand. I'm not backing off from the decision to fire you just yet. But with all the negative rumors swirling around Monaco, we need to present a united front to the media. We need to show that everything is fine between the chairman and the coach."
Situ Yunbing felt a slight discomfort. So all of this—the fancy lunch, the personal touch—was just a show. However, he returned De Bontin's smile and played along.
Earlier that day, the French media had published interviews with the reserve players that Situ Yunbing had demoted. Their comments had cast a negative light on the Monaco club, fueling rumors of internal discord.
De Bontin's public lunch with Situ Yunbing was meant to squash those rumors and present a harmonious relationship between chairman and coach. The media wouldn't know the content of their conversation, but the optics were what mattered.
When the dishes arrived, Situ Yunbing couldn't help but feel anxious. The portions were tiny—just a mouthful on each plate. He figured he could easily finish 30 plates like this, but only four sets had been ordered. He worried about whether De Bontin would get upset if he asked for more, especially considering how expensive this restaurant must be.
Nevertheless, he dug in with his knife and fork. The small portions may have been a letdown, but the taste was exquisite. Each bite was full of flavor, and though he wished he had ordered more, he savored what he had.
As Situ Yunbing was starting to enjoy his meal, De Bontin suddenly clinked glasses with him, interrupting his moment of indulgence.
"You've sent eight players to the reserves, and now they're threatening to leave the club. How do you plan to handle this?" De Bontin asked.
Situ Yunbing's mood deflated instantly. He had been relishing the fine food, but now, this topic soured his appetite. Still, he knew he had to address the situation seriously.
He straightened up and replied, "Well, that depends on the club's decision regarding my future. If I'm fired, their fate doesn't matter. But if I stay and continue leading the team this season, there's only one solution: we move them out during the winter transfer window."
De Bontin frowned slightly but quickly masked it with a smile. "Do you realize that the combined value of those eight players exceeds 10 million euros? That's not a small amount."
Situ Yunbing caught the underlying tension in De Bontin's words, even though he was smiling.
Situ Yunbing raised his glass, clinked it with De Bontin's, and took a sip before continuing. "I've said it before—some signings are failures, and bad assets are still bad assets. Keeping players who aren't contributing or who negatively impact the team doesn't add value to the club."
De Bontin didn't seem entirely convinced. "Surely not all eight of them are worthless to the team?"
Situ Yunbing leaned forward, ready to explain in detail. "Let's break it down one by one:
Chu-young Park, the South Korean striker, does have ability, and he could still find a place in the squad. But his form has dropped. He used to be a starter, but even if he returns to the first team, he'll only be a rotation player. Just look at Nimani, Gakpé, and Pino—they've all performed brilliantly in the last two games. And then there's Mollo, who has far exceeded expectations. Park can compete, but I think it's best for him to move on to preserve the team's positive atmosphere.
As for Distel Zola, he's barely more than a reserve player. I don't see any value in wasting time on him.
Freddy Adu? A so-called 'genius' who never lived up to the hype. At 19, true geniuses are already shining. Adu couldn't even secure a regular spot at Benfica. Fortunately, we've only taken him on loan, so we should terminate the loan and send him back early. It'll cut our salary expenditure, aligning with the club's financial strategy.
Mueller, at 31, could have been a key figure in our defense, but after one game, he exposed his lack of leadership and mental strength. At his age, mentality is more important than ability. He was the first to stir up trouble, and now he's resigned himself to staying with the reserves until he can retire on a comfortable pension. His fighting spirit is gone.
As for the younger players, keeping them won't benefit us much, but kicking them out will reinforce my authority within the team. This is a non-negotiable point for any coach. Without authority, a coach's position becomes untenable."
Situ Yunbing paused before concluding, "If the club chooses to back me, then they should support my decisions. If you choose to replace me, then their fate is up to you. But I still believe that, regardless of who is in charge, these players should not return to the first team unless you hire a coach with a reputation strong enough to command respect."
De Bontin seemed to consider this for a moment. He wasn't fully sold on the idea, but he could see the logic in Situ Yunbing's arguments.
Monaco had just secured two consecutive victories, and De Bontin wasn't yet ready to make a final decision on Situ Yunbing's future. He needed more time to assess the situation.
"Our agreement hasn't expired yet. Monaco's recent wins have been promising, but I can't fully implement your suggestions just now," De Bontin finally said. "However, I will show you some support as a reward for your efforts so far."
Situ Yunbing didn't ask what that meant. As long as De Bontin wasn't firing him or interfering with the team, he had nothing to worry about.
He happily ordered more food, ignoring the curious looks from other diners as he devoured the extra plates. Once the meal was over, and he had returned to the club in De Bontin's Maybach—still feeling quite full—Situ Yunbing shifted his focus back to preparing for the evening's game.
Later that afternoon, Monaco officially announced that Freddy Adu's loan had been terminated early, and the player had been sent back to Benfica.
This was De Bontin's way of showing Situ Yunbing his support, signaling that the club backed the coach's authority over player management.
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