Chapter 3: The Bet

After seeing off Waters, Ye Qiu returned to the coach's dormitory in the youth team's training building

Both individuals agreed, and at this point, even the club president, Van Plag, could not intervene and had no choice but to acquiesce

However, he was unwilling to listen to Ye Qiu's words, and Ye Qiu had no choice but to let him be

After hearing this, Ye Qiu smiled and let it go. In his memory, Waters seemed to have not completed this season either. This guy is still too inexperienced, overly obsessed with power struggles, which will distract him from coaching the first team. Moreover, the current players of Ajax do not hold any advantage even among the traditional strong teams in the Netherlands.

However, when these words came from the mouth of Leo Benhark, everyone felt either hesitant to refute them, including Waters

Although Van Gaal's golden era has passed and Ajax is on the brink of collapse under the impact of the Bosman ruling, Michael van Praag is ambitious to reform the club and lead Ajax towards a new round of revival

With this statement, Ye Qiu's every action prior has gained legitimacy

Upon further reflection, Fan Pulaige realized that Ye Qiu had accurately discerned his innermost thoughts. At this moment, his tone had evidently softened, and he had long been tied to Ye Qiu in the same boat. Naturally, it was time to create momentum for him.

Today, the entire world believes that he is undoubtedly destined to lose compared to Westhoff. However, he possesses a strong sense of confidence, as he has the system brought by this traversal. Although he has only activated the trial level of this system, it is sufficient to defeat Westhoff.

In his mind, as soon as his thoughts stirred, a piece of information immediately sprang forth

Leo Benhak, who had remained silent, then spoke, continuing the words of Westerhof

Ajax has been a bastion of youth training for decades, but I would like to ask the chairman, why is it that players trained at Ajax, from Cruyff to Rijkaard to Van Basten, and then to Bergkamp, as well as later figures like Kluivert, have consistently been unable to surpass or even achieve the accomplishments of their predecessors

Ye Qiu also smiled and said boldly, "Alright, let's make a bet. We will set a limit of two months. Whoever loses will voluntarily resign!"

I would like to ask you, Mr. Chairman, what was the purpose of hiring us to join the Ajax youth training camp two months ago

At most, I will let you serve as an assistant coach for the first team

Ye Qiu has a room that belongs solely to him. Upon entering, he locks the door, gets into bed, and closes his eyes

Even if it is merely a prototype, it is sufficient for many present to gain clarity on a particular line of thought

Waters felt an immense joy in his heart upon hearing this

That means their approach is already out of step with the times

Waters was feeling a bit overwhelmed at this moment; when had he ever said these words?

Ye Qiu was unconcerned; the initiative was already in his hands. He had no need to be angered by Westhoff's doubts, as that would only undermine his standing in the eyes of other neutrals. Thus, he smiled and nodded.

"It sounds easy when you say it, but if we really follow your advice, then De Tocqueville will undoubtedly undergo a tremendous transformation. Success is one thing, but what if we fail? You can just walk away, but the club and the fans will have to bear the bitter consequences!" Westhoff continued to mock coldly. This time, he could not undermine Ye Qiu on a professional level, so he resorted to exploiting the uncertainties of the future.

However, the status of Michel and Cruyff in Ajax and Dutch football is sacred, unshakeable by anyone, and while it may not be openly expressed, it cannot prevent them from thinking this way in their hearts

Rest assured, I have never engaged in a battle without confidence. Moreover, I have now redirected all of Westhoff's energy towards this, which will also facilitate your reception of Detokmost!

This caused an uproar throughout the venue

"Good!" Westhoff also replied.

However, it is evident that acknowledging Ye Qiu's statement brings him only benefits and no drawbacks, and he can also gain the title of someone who considers the club's interests with great righteousness. Therefore, he nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, Michael, I am very interested in his thoughts, but I am also quite concerned, so I think we should try it out first and see."

As soon as Westhof spoke these words, everyone immediately turned their gaze towards Ye Qiu

Ye Qiu's words shocked many people present, as they had considered the declining state of youth training, but rarely thought about it from this perspective. After all, their viewpoint could not compare to Ye Qiu's, who possessed more than a decade's worth of knowledge and insight than everyone else in attendance, allowing him to approach the issue with greater depth

It is a proven fact that taking credit for achievements is something everyone does, inherently.

Of course, with the exception of those with ulterior motives

Regarding how to implement reforms, I once discussed this with Head Coach Mr. Waters. We both believe that it is impossible to achieve a complete overhaul all at once. Therefore, we must first attempt changes in specific areas as a pilot project. If successful, we can then expand the initiative; if it fails, the losses will be minimal, and we can still recover.

Westhoff listened and immediately let out a cold laugh, "Are you suggesting that our youth training is fundamentally flawed? If that's the case, how were players like Cruyff, Van Basten, and Bergkamp developed? If we only focus on technical skills, how has our Ajax system managed to maintain its continuity?"

While nodding, Ye Qiu reflected, "I believe there are several issues. Firstly, our youth training places excessive emphasis on the instillation of formations and tactical aspects, while neglecting the development of technical skills. It is important to understand that the cultivation of fundamental technical skills before the age of 12 is crucial, as it can significantly impact a player's entire life"

Initiating the Godfather Development System, please wait...

While waiting, Ye Qiu felt a great joy in his heart

What is referred to as a dormitory is, in fact, a lounge, because De Tokmost does not have dormitories. Both coaches and players must reside off-site, so some lounges have been arranged to allow coaches and players who live farther away to rest during the midday break at the training camp

Therefore, what I mean is that we should not only emphasize the cultivation of individual skills but also maintain the unity of the Ajax system. We should appropriately strengthen the fundamental technical training of younger players and enhance the technical reinforcement at every youth training age group. As for the tactical aspect, we can completely start instilling it around the ages of 14 and 15, and then reinforce it from the A age group and Ajax's second team.

You are truly too careless. Although I do not like Hans, I must admit that in terms of coaching players, you are far inferior to him. Betting against him in this match is fraught with danger. Waters was very grateful that Ye Qiu had just defended his reputation, but he felt concerned about his future

"Kid, I'm just afraid you don't have the guts for this!" Westhoff said with a grim face, sneering, "But this comparison is meaningless; we need to raise the stakes. Whoever loses must leave Ajax. What do you say?"

The most important thing now is to achieve some results first, so that even if he really leaves Ajax in the future, he will have the ability to establish himself in other European clubs and make a living with his skills

It is well known that Westhoff is a prominent figure in the Netherlands, and this inexperienced young man dares to challenge him; isn't this akin to pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth

Upon hearing this statement, everyone present was taken aback, feeling that it was exceedingly unfair to Ye Qiu

"Then tell me, what are your views on the reform of the youth training system?" Indeed, Van Persie opened the floor for inquiry

Waters was taken aback, but immediately understood that he had mistakenly thought Ye Qiu was deliberately betting his future against Westhoff in order to help him take over De Tocqueville. He felt immensely grateful and said, "Rest assured, you are helping me, and I will remember it. When the time comes and you lose, I will also speak on your behalf in front of Michael. You need not worry about leaving the team"

You are partially correct. In the past, tactical formations were loose, and the division of roles on the field was relatively simple. At that time, our Ajax's disciplined total football achieved the best results. Moreover, let us not forget the successes of Michels and Cruyff, as their teams included extraordinary talents such as Cruyff, Rijkaard, and Van Basten.

Because the previous system had already indicated that training players according to the recommended method would yield results in as little as one month and no more than two months, he is now waiting to see how Westhoff will shamefully exit De Tockmost.

I find it quite difficult to comment on this matter. How about this: let Ye Qiu and Hans each select two teams of comparable strength from the youth training camp, and they will be responsible for leading and training these teams. They will train for two months, and then play a few matches to see whose results are better. What do you all think?

"Indeed, then may I ask Mr. Chairman, what is meant by reform?" Ye Qiu did not wait for Fan Pu-Lage to ponder deeply and continued to press for an answer

At this point, Van Praag would also be at a loss for an answer, as although it is said that reforms are necessary, no one has a clear approach on how to implement them. It can even be stated that the reforms in the world of football are fundamentally lacking in structure and methodology, driven instead by the will of certain individuals, whether it be the head coach, the technical director, or others.

As Westhoff left with Leo Benhack, Van Plag also exchanged a few words with Ye Qiu before departing, leaving only Waters behind

This is actually a common question among many Ajax supporters: the likes of Michels and Cruyff, who laid the foundation of Ajax's youth training system, helped Ajax reach the pinnacle of its history. However, since then, why has Ajax's youth training been declining?

Waters was taken aback at first, wondering when he had ever discussed this with Ye Qiu

"What exactly do you want to say about the *picture* book?" Van Praag looked at the young Chinese man in front of him, who had a handsome appearance, embodying the elegance of an Oriental man. His speech was resonant and full of spirit, making him a young man who easily leaves a good impression.

Mr. Chairman, although Mr. Waters is the head coach of the first team, he comes from De Tocqueville Most and is very concerned about the progress of the youth training camp. Therefore, we previously agreed to start with the E1 team as a pilot project to observe the results. If it proves suitable, we will gradually promote and explore it, ensuring a cautious and steady approach

However, Ye Qiu emphasized one point, which is that it is based on the individual strength of the players

Despite Ye Qiu's advice to Waters to focus on the first team's performance, Waters seems rather indifferent. The team has started the league with three consecutive victories, including two significant wins, which has made him somewhat complacent. This is undoubtedly a major taboo for a head coach.

Even during the Van Gaal era, our team was similarly composed of a group of top stars such as Kluivert, Overmars, and Litmanen. We can even say that with such a group of players, regardless of the tactics employed, as long as you can integrate the players into a cohesive unit and leverage their strengths, we would be able to achieve victory

Yes, Michael, Ye Qiu comes from the Cologne Sports Academy and possesses very unique insights into football. I believe we should pay attention to some of his youth training ideas, which is also the reason I invited him to Ajax in the first place

This is a framework and prototype that countless youth training systems have since adopted. Ye Qiu had seen some of this online in his previous life, and combined with the information he currently understands, he articulated a general outline.

This youth training meeting concluded with this wager

"Hey, Hans, there's no need for such high stakes in friendly competition among colleagues!" Van Praag intervened, and he found himself quite intrigued by Ye Qiu, who spoke so eloquently on the matter. Many of Ye Qiu's statements suddenly clarified the chaotic thoughts that had been swirling in his mind, bringing a sense of clarity to many issues.

Sometimes, many things are destined to happen

In this day and age, the reformists are all in a position where they desire revolution yet fear bloodshed and sacrifice. Ye Qiu's cautious approach perfectly aligns with their preferences, making it evident to even the blind that Fan Pulage has now fully supported Ye Qiu and has transformed into a reformist.

What I want to say regarding the book is that reform is about trying, it is about taking risks, it is about eliminating the negative aspects of the club system that do not keep pace with the times, while preserving the enduring traditions of the club system, as well as the advanced youth training concepts and elements, combining both to ensure the enhancement and progress of the Ajax system

Van Praag was not displeased by Ye Qiu's direct question; he was not someone who enjoyed putting on airs. Therefore, Leo Benhack could call him Michael and engage with him as a friend. Upon hearing this, he smiled slightly and said, "Of course, reform is necessary"

"What a cautious approach, well said!" praised Van Praag.

Van Praag nodded, which immediately caused Westhoff to feel a sense of foreboding in his heart

"Are you afraid?" Westhoff sneered, clearly intending to overwhelm Ye Qiu with his imposing presence

I completely agree with Mr. Leo Beenhakker's remarks just now; he is absolutely right. Ajax's youth training is outstanding, and there must be reasonable and advanced aspects to it. However, over the years, the players we have developed have been progressively less impressive. Could it not also be said that there are unreasonable elements within our youth training system?

Ye Qiu's words were very organized, advancing step by step, and surprisingly, no one present could offer a rebuttal. Instead, many listeners nodded in agreement. This was not actually a secret; Fan Pulage's call for reform was, in fact, due to his recognition of this point

Van Praag also nodded repeatedly, saying, "You handled this matter very well, prioritizing the club, excellent!"

For this individual, who holds a revered and significant position in both Dutch football and European football, and is also one of the founders of the elite G14 clubs, Ajax President, Ye Qiu, harbors a deep respect, as he is at least considered fair

Ye Qiu laughed heartily and said, "Mr. Westhoff, what you mentioned is indeed Mr. Waters' concern. I have discussed this with him, and he expressed that he must take responsibility for Ajax's fans, management, and players. Therefore, he believes that large-scale promotion should not be conducted for the time being. However, he also feels that if we cannot keep up with the times, Ajax will eventually be eliminated by the mainstream in Europe. Thus, his suggestion to me was to use the E1 team that I lead as a pilot project to test the effects.

"It is said to be invincible, but what can be done? What is the effect?" Westhof, seeing that suppressing Ye Qiu was ineffective, secretly prepared to lay another trap for Ye Qiu, hoping to impose a time limit on his attempts