章 2: Bold Ambitions
De Bontin never second-guessed his decision to fire the team's former coach, the Brazilian Ricardo Gomes.
In his view, Gomes, who had failed to lead AS Monaco to any significant progress last season, was an average coach. Without results, there was no justification to continue supporting him.
Likewise, the dismissal of the club's general manager, Keller, and sports manager, Ettori, was based on Monaco's poor performances and operations over the past three years—far below expectations for a club of their stature.
However, after clearing these two key positions, De Bontin found himself wondering what had possessed him to hire the Chinese man sitting across from him, who was now devouring his meal with little regard for table manners. The young man, Situ Yunbing, looked so out of place that De Bontin couldn't help but be puzzled.
After letting out two loud hiccups in succession, Situ Yunbing appeared to be in much better spirits. De Bontin watched in disbelief, worried that the new coach might eat himself into exhaustion.
As Situ Yunbing gulped down half a glass of soda, he finally relaxed, as if he had been reborn with new energy.
In this place, where wealth and prestige are the norm, De Bontin knew that sitting across from this disheveled, unpolished Chinese coach might make him appear out of touch with Monaco's elite standards. However, he had no choice; the team needed a coach, and the decision had already been made public. He had to make the best of the situation.
Breaking the awkward silence, De Bontin said, "I didn't expect you to be so young."
The words hung in the air. Even De Bontin couldn't shake the strangeness of it all: AS Monaco, a club supported by the Monaco royal family for half a century, had just hired a young, unknown Chinese coach. If the news got out, the fans would surely be furious. Even De Bontin himself was on the edge of frustration.
With a casual smile, Situ Yunbing asked, "Oh, I didn't ask—who are you, again?"
De Bontin nearly choked on his words. Suppressing his irritation, he calmly replied, "I'm Jérôme de Bontin, chairman of Monaco. I sent you the invitation letter."
Situ Yunbing quickly stood up and extended his hand for a handshake. De Bontin, with a barely concealed expression of distaste, shook hands briefly before wiping his palm discreetly with a handkerchief under the table.
Despite the awkward atmosphere, Situ Yunbing maintained a respectful demeanor. "It's an honor to coach Monaco. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."
The first half of Situ Yunbing's statement seemed to fit the formalities, but the second part made De Bontin uncomfortable.
"Appreciation? What appreciation? Why did I even hire you?" he thought, though he said nothing aloud. The club had already announced that a new coach would be taking over following Gomes' dismissal, so there was no turning back now.
De Bontin shifted to a more serious tone. "Let's talk about the team. I assume you're familiar with Monaco's current situation. I need to know what your plan is moving forward."
Situ Yunbing's heart raced, but his expression remained calm and composed. He knew his survival depended on this conversation—if De Bontin lost faith in him, he could be fired before he even had a chance to prove himself. That would be the end of everything.
During his trip to Monaco, Situ Yunbing hadn't slept well, but he had done his homework. He was well aware of Monaco's struggles, and he knew that De Bontin came from the financial industry in the United States, not sports.
Situ Yunbing understood that his fate was in De Bontin's hands. He needed to sell a compelling vision for the future of the team, and fast. The key was to convince the chairman to see potential in him.
"I have no choice," Situ Yunbing thought. "I have to lead Monaco to the league championship—there's no other option."
Situ Yunbing leaned forward and spoke in a measured tone. "The club is like a body, made up of three essential parts. The management is the brain—controlled by you. The head coach is the heart—that's me. The players and staff are the limbs. The brain must be clear and decisive, but for the limbs to be strong, you need a big heart—one that beats with purpose."
De Bontin, intrigued, nodded seriously, waiting for what was to come next.
Situ Yunbing continued, "The team is currently cutting expenses, and I understand that this is part of reversing the financial difficulties. It's a wise approach for the long-term health of the club. But the reality is that the current squad isn't one of the strongest in Ligue 1. Modern football can produce miracles, but they're rare. I don't know if you agree, but even if Monaco's current players reach their full potential, competing with teams like Marseille and Lyon will still be a major challenge."
De Bontin let out a soft sigh and admitted, "Yes, that's true. But I'm patient. I want to see the team improve steadily, year by year. My goal is to make Monaco one of the most competitive teams in Ligue 1 within the next three to five years."
Three to five years? Situ Yunbing thought to himself. I don't have three to five years.
De Bontin's vision was to reverse Monaco's 54 million euros in debt over that timeframe. This year, the goal was to reduce about 13 million euros. If the club's performance on the pitch could also improve in that span, De Bontin would consider it a success.
Situ Yunbing decided to push further. "Right now, we have a mid-level squad in Ligue 1. If we want to truly improve our performance, we'll need to strengthen our soft power. Hard power—like squad quality—can only change through transfers, but soft power can have a massive impact."
De Bontin leaned forward, clearly intrigued. "Soft power? What do you mean by that?"
Situ Yunbing replied seriously, "Soft power includes team morale, locker room unity, tactical discipline, in-game management, reducing pressure on the players, motivating them in the right ways, and making rational use of the squad. These are elements that can help a team play beyond its expected level.
"When a team's soft power is lacking, even the strongest squads can hit unexpected losing streaks. But if we can harness it effectively, we can punch above our weight."
De Bontin was hooked. As a businessman, the idea of improving team performance without heavy spending appealed to him immensely.
As Situ Yunbing took a sip of water, De Bontin asked eagerly, "So, how do you plan to improve the team's soft power?"
Situ Yunbing smiled inwardly. Every coach understood these concepts—it was fundamental to management. But De Bontin, coming from the world of finance rather than football, seemed to think it was a revelation.
Situ Yunbing put down his water glass and replied confidently, "Building soft power isn't something that happens overnight. It will take time, and I'll need to assess the team before diving into specifics. But what I can tell you is that I'm bringing a new tactical philosophy to Monaco. If we want to stand out in Ligue 1, we need to be unique. A fresh tactical approach could be the difference-maker for us. If there's anything that can drive us to make a real breakthrough, it's this new vision."
De Bontin nodded in agreement. In that moment, he truly felt that he was dealing with a genius, someone with a clear vision and the right mindset to lead the team forward.
"It's like warfare," De Bontin said with a smile. "If you know your strengths and weaknesses, you'll win. But if you can make your opponent unpredictable, you might win in surprising ways."
Pleased, De Bontin added, "Alright, go and get some rest. Come to the club early tomorrow. Some players are still away on international duty, but you can start getting familiar with the club and meet the coaching staff."
Situ Yunbing hesitated for a moment before asking awkwardly, "Will the club arrange accommodation for me?"
De Bontin blinked, caught off guard. He hadn't expected this question. Was Situ Yunbing really asking for a place to stay?
For a moment, De Bontin wondered if he had made a mistake in hiring this man.
...
...
The morning air was crisp as Situ Yunbing opened the window of his apartment, taking in the fresh sea breeze. He exhaled deeply, eyes gazing out at the tranquil expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. The peaceful beauty of the calm waters gave him a moment of quiet contentment, a sharp contrast to the challenges that lay ahead.
De Bontin had arranged for him to stay in a modest apartment in Cap d'Ail, just southwest of Monaco. The town was less than two kilometers from Monaco, but the difference in atmosphere was striking. While Monaco was buzzing with activity, full of tourists, high-rise buildings, and the glitz of the French Riviera, Cap d'Ail offered a more subdued setting, with hotels and apartments built along the coast, catering mainly to those working in Monaco. The cliffs to the west created a sense of isolation, almost like a natural barrier separating it from the bustling Principality.
Situ Yunbing had hoped to live in the heart of Monaco, but De Bontin had quickly disabused him of that notion.
"Monaco has fewer than 4,000 hotel rooms," De Bontin had explained. "And if you're not willing to pay 500 euros a night, most of them are booked months in advance by tourists. If you want to live in Monaco, you'd need a monthly salary of over 30,000 euros just to cover rent."
For Situ Yunbing, who was nearly broke, this was out of the question. The 200 euros he had on him were still borrowed from De Bontin. Without much choice, he moved into a small, 75-euro-a-night apartment that De Bontin had secured for him, paying three months' rent in advance.
To Situ Yunbing, it was clear: the three months' rent was likely a timeline—if he didn't deliver results within that period, he might not make it to Christmas. He could already imagine his own firing anniversary: Christmas 2009.
After tidying up and getting ready for the day, Situ Yunbing left the apartment building. He had breakfast at the only nearby café, then caught the bus to Monaco.
As the bus rolled along the coast, with few passengers at this time of day, Situ Yunbing admired the stunning views of the Côte d'Azur. The French workers who commuted to Monaco had already begun their day, leaving the bus quiet, giving him a chance to reflect.
He felt a deep sense of contentment, appreciating the opportunity to coach a club like Monaco, but his ambitions were far greater than just surviving. He wanted to win. He wanted to prove himself.
Yet, the reality of his situation gnawed at him. He was the head coach of a club in one of Europe's top five leagues, but here he was, taking the bus to work every day. He couldn't help but think to himself:
"I shouldn't be the shabbiest head coach in Europe's top five leagues, taking the bus like this!"
His drive to succeed was relentless. He had to turn things around quickly—he didn't just want to live in Monaco, he wanted to thrive there. And the only way to do that was to start winning.
...
De Bontin stood at the window of his office, overlooking the club's main entrance. Today, AS Monaco would hold a press conference to announce the appointment of their new head coach, Situ Yunbing.
While Gomez was a leftover from his predecessor, Situ Yunbing was the first coach De Bontin had officially appointed since taking over as chairman. The significance of this decision weighed heavily on his mind.
When he thought about Situ Yunbing, De Bontin felt conflicted. Situ was relatively unknown in European football, and his unpolished demeanor was a far cry from the typical image of a top-flight manager. Still, his boldness had left a lasting impression. Even now, De Bontin could hear the words Situ had uttered during the contract signing last night:
"If I can't lead Monaco to the league championship, then there's no point in me staying."
Situ Yunbing had said this after proposing to modify his contract.
Initially, De Bontin had offered him a one-year contract with a basic monthly salary of 5,000 euros—a modest 60,000 euros a year by football standards. However, the bonus structure was generous.
If Monaco finished 6th to 8th, Situ would earn a 200,000 euro bonus. For a 4th or 5th place finish, the bonus would rise to 400,000 euros. And if Monaco finished in the top three and qualified for the Champions League, Situ would receive a 1 million euro bonus.
This performance-based remuneration aligned with De Bontin's philosophy. Securing 6th to 8th place would already represent progress compared to the club's recent seasons, and the 200,000 euros would be a reasonable reward for improvement. Failing that, De Bontin would part ways with Situ Yunbing and offer him no more than his basic pay.
A top-three finish would be a major achievement, bringing Champions League football back to Monaco and significantly boosting the club's revenue. In that case, De Bontin would gladly pay 1 million euros in bonuses and likely offer Situ a new, improved contract.
However, to De Bontin's surprise, Situ Yunbing had rejected the bonus structure entirely. Instead, he insisted on an all-or-nothing deal: if Monaco won the Ligue 1 title, he would receive a 2 million euro bonus. If they failed to win the championship, he wouldn't take a penny beyond his base salary.
Though De Bontin didn't believe Monaco could win the league, he admired Situ's boldness and ambition. If by some miracle Monaco did win the title, De Bontin would be more than happy to pay the 2 million euros.
No one else knew the depth of Situ Yunbing's conviction. To him, any other bonus for finishing outside the top spot would be meaningless. He was aiming for the very top, or nothing at all.
As De Bontin pondered this, he saw Situ Yunbing walking casually through the club's main gates. Frowning, De Bontin quickly left his office and hurried downstairs.
Situ Yunbing greeted everyone he passed in the club with a friendly smile. His unassuming demeanor, youthful appearance, and relaxed attitude made it hard for others to immediately recognize him as the new head coach, but his politeness and charm won over those he met.
Just as Situ was about to ask someone for directions to the training ground, De Bontin rushed up to him and, without a word, grabbed him by the arm, leading him toward the administrative building.
"Mr. Chairman, where are you taking me?" Situ Yunbing asked, puzzled. "Can you let go of my arm?"
De Bontin shot him an annoyed glance. "Don't you have a proper suit?"
Situ Yunbing looked down at himself. He was wearing jeans, a white button-up shirt, and a pair of Adidas sneakers. He had dressed as formally as he could with the limited clothes he had brought with him, opting for a shirt instead of a T-shirt, but he clearly wasn't meeting De Bontin's expectations.
De Bontin sighed and led him to the head coach's office, where he called for someone to bring three sets of AS Monaco team sportswear. One was for casual wear, and the others were for training purposes. De Bontin knew that Situ didn't have the money to buy a suit, and although he had arranged the apartment for him using the club's account, he wasn't about to pay for clothes out of his own pocket.
Once Situ Yunbing changed into his new sportswear, he felt more at ease. At the very least, he now looked like a coach rather than someone out for a casual stroll. His sneakers even matched the outfit.
De Bontin then took him to the first team's coaching lounge. Although training wouldn't start until the next day, with some players still away on international duty, De Bontin wanted to introduce Situ Yunbing to the club's coaching staff.
A total of eight members of the Monaco coaching staff were gathered in the coaching lounge, sitting in small groups, chatting to pass the time.
When De Bontin entered with Situ Yunbing, everyone stood up, their eyes widening as they looked at the young man standing beside their chairman, expressions of disbelief on their faces.
De Bontin cleared his throat and introduced the new coach. "Everyone, this is our new head coach, Situ Yunbing. He's from China. I hope you'll all assist him in bringing the club back on track and helping us build a brilliant future."
Situ Yunbing raised his hand and greeted them with a smile before shaking hands with the coaches, all of whom had stiff expressions and wide eyes.
De Bontin made the introductions. "This is Assistant Coach Jean Petit, and here we have Patrick Colleter, André Biancarelli, Nick Milonas, Markle, Sennos, Goodoy, and Ben Domi."
After the introductions and handshakes, De Bontin excused himself, leaving Situ Yunbing alone with the coaching staff.
Situ Yunbing formally reintroduced himself, but it was clear that none of the eight coaches were entirely at ease.
After a moment of awkward silence, Jean Petit, a 59-year-old with gray hair, asked, somewhat skeptically, "Are you really the new head coach?"
Situ Yunbing nodded. "Yes, I signed the contract yesterday."
Petit exchanged glances with his colleagues, and their expressions were a mix of doubt, confusion, and pessimism—clearly reflecting a variety of negative emotions.
Situ Yunbing's age and background were hard for them to comprehend. First, there was no precedent for an Asian coach leading a team in European football, and even more unheard of was a Chinese coach taking the helm at a Ligue 1 club like Monaco.
Despite their initial shock, Situ Yunbing quickly moved into work mode, calling a coaching team meeting. Assistant Petit, after overcoming the surprise, began cooperating with Situ Yunbing's efforts.
Petit was a figure of significant stature within the club, having spent his entire career at Monaco and being regarded as a club legend. Though he never led Monaco to any major honors, his long-standing contribution made him a respected figure. He had been invited by De Bontin as an assistant coach after the departures of Keller and Ettori, intended to provide continuity and reassurance for fans and staff alike.
During the meeting, Situ Yunbing gained a clearer understanding of Monaco's current situation.
The first-team squad had over 30 players, even after excluding some of the younger prospects. The squad was crowded, with many players of similar ability, though none stood out as particularly exceptional.
This overcrowded roster made team management a real challenge for Situ Yunbing.
After gaining a general understanding of the situation, Situ Yunbing joined the coaching staff for lunch at the club's restaurant. In the afternoon, they began reviewing footage from the team's first four Ligue 1 matches, allowing him to gain a more visual understanding of the team. The other coaches provided additional insights, explaining each player's role and characteristics.
Although Situ Yunbing remained calm on the outside, his mind was racing. There was an overwhelming amount of information to absorb, and the lack of structure left him feeling immense pressure.
At 5 p.m., De Bontin returned to the coaching room. He saw the coaches gathered around Situ Yunbing, reviewing game footage, and was pleased with the collaborative atmosphere. If it weren't for the press conference about to begin, he wouldn't have wanted to interrupt.
Situ Yunbing followed De Bontin to the club's media room. As soon as he stepped onto the stage, the flashing cameras of over 20 reporters hit him like a wave, making him feel slightly dizzy.
It was the first time in his life he had been thrust into the spotlight, and though nervous, he steadied his resolve. To succeed in this challenge, he had to face everything head-on. He had no choice. If he didn't win the league title, he would lose much more than his job—he would lose his life.
As De Bontin sat down next to Situ Yunbing, he put on a mask of enthusiasm, announcing with forced delight that Situ Yunbing was the new head coach of AS Monaco.
The room erupted.
The reporters sitting in the audience were left dumbfounded.
Monaco Club hiring an Asian coach? Was the club losing its mind?
De Bontin had already made history as the first non-Monaco citizen to chair the club, but now it seemed he was making history again by hiring the first Asian coach in Monaco's long legacy.
While the reporters struggled to process the news, Situ Yunbing didn't hesitate—he dove straight into his speech.
"Hello everyone, I'm Situ Yunbing. I'm honored to be the head coach of Monaco. My goal this season is to lead Monaco to the Ligue 1 championship!"
Pandemonium.
Every reporter in the room felt like they were losing their minds. Did they hear that correctly? An Asian coach was aiming to lead Monaco to the Ligue 1 title? And in his first season?
De Bontin's expression darkened almost instantly.
Situ Yunbing's bold declaration was easy to make, but if he failed to deliver, Monaco would become a laughingstock.
But Situ Yunbing wasn't speaking out of blind confidence. He knew his lack of experience, background, and prestige meant he needed something else to command respect within the club—ambition.
Ambition was all he had. Without it, he would be dismissed as mediocre, and it would be impossible to gain the trust and respect of the players and staff.
Once the room settled from the shock, a journalist from France Football stood up and asked a direct question:
"Do you have a coaching qualification certificate?"
Situ Yunbing's face twitched slightly.
Yes, a coaching certificate—did he have one? Without it, he wouldn't even be able to manage the team!
De Bontin's heart sank as he noticed Situ Yunbing's reaction. Had he been scammed?
The room felt stifling as all eyes turned toward Situ Yunbing, waiting for his response.
He felt the pressure weighing on him like a thousand pounds, and in a moment of desperation, he blurted out, "Such a question is an insult to me!"
Without waiting for a reaction, he quickly stood up and bolted from the room, leaving a trail of confused reporters scrambling to snap photos of his sudden exit.
De Bontin, abandoning all decorum, rushed out after him.
In the corridor, De Bontin finally caught up with him, grabbing his arm.
"Situ, stop!"
Situ Yunbing froze, unable to meet De Bontin's gaze. He stood there, his head hanging.
De Bontin placed both hands on his shoulders, his voice trembling. "Situ, do you have a coaching qualification? Please tell me you do!"
If Situ didn't, it would mean disaster—not only for Situ Yunbing but for De Bontin's reputation and the entire club.
Situ Yunbing kept his head down and mumbled, "Go check."
Of course, he didn't have it, but considering the unique circumstances surrounding his appointment, he believed that the system—his system—would ensure that all basic requirements for coaching would be in place.
De Bontin felt the world crumbling around him but dragged Situ Yunbing back to his office. With trembling fingers, he searched for Situ Yunbing's credentials in the Asian Football Confederation database.
Nothing.
Panic surged through him. It felt like the sky was falling.
But when De Bontin searched the UEFA database as a last-ditch effort, the response came back positive: Situ Yunbing had a UEFA A-level coaching certificate, fully qualified with official records.
De Bontin stared at the screen in disbelief before turning to look at Situ Yunbing. He was stunned.
In Europe, there are five levels of coaching certification, with the UEFA A-level being one of the highest. It was incredibly difficult to obtain, often taking coaches years to progress from the lower levels.
To achieve an A-level certification, a coach typically needed seven years just to move from Level 2 to Level B. As for making the leap to A-level...
De Bontin couldn't comprehend how someone as young as Situ Yunbing had managed to earn such a qualification. He was both amazed and relieved.
Situ Yunbing exhaled deeply, relieved that the system had come through for him. De Bontin wiped the sweat from his brow and, still somewhat shaken, asked, "You have an A-level certificate, and you didn't mention it?!"
Situ Yunbing shrugged, a smirk on his face. "I told you, that question was an insult to me."
De Bontin, speechless, could only laugh in disbelief.
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GxDesailly
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