Since July has arrived and the World Cup in France has gradually progressed, the number of match days is decreasing, leading to fluctuations in the bar's business.
However, even during the World Cup's slowest days, business is significantly better than usual.
Sometimes, Levi feels that English fans no longer come to bars just to drink and watch football. Instead, they seem to use bars as a way to adjust their lifestyles and as a low-cost form of entertainment.
Since the formation of New Manchester United, Walsh has renamed the bar to the Red Rebels. On the day of the renaming, he proudly invited Bruce, Keane, and Giggs, among others, and publicly announced that this was the first fan bar in New Manchester United's history. Additionally, they formed the first New Manchester United fan organization, "Red Rebels," that night.
Levi walked into the bar and immediately began greeting people.
"Where's Andy?" After reaching the bar, Levi asked the bartender.
"In the box," the bartender pointed.
Levi nodded and pointed to Curtis. "Get me a beer, a big glass, and a juice for him, please. Thank you!" He then led the way to the box.
After knocking a few times, Walsh opened the door. Inside, in addition to him, were Mark David and Steve Bruce.
"Oh, what a coincidence, everyone is here!" Levi walked into the box, secretly receiving Walsh's signal.
"There's nothing much at home. They just called me to meet up, so I came to hang out!" Bruce, who rarely lingered in the bar, explained. As for Mark David, he was used to hanging around the bar all day.
"It's better to come to the bar and unwind!" Levi sat down with a smile, then looked at David. "Mark, I heard you're going to study in the United States?"
"Yes, my brother works at a securities company there, and he helped me get into a prestigious university. He wants me to enhance my qualifications." Mark David looked around the box reluctantly, clearly attached to the place.
"When are you leaving?" Levi asked with concern.
"In a few days, but honestly, I'm reluctant to go," David admitted.
Walsh came over, gave him a big slap on the shoulder, and then sat on the sofa. "It's okay. If I were you, I'd leave and never come back. Besides, you should really learn something while you're young. Your brother is thriving in the United States, working well on Wall Street."
"My brother enjoys it—researching the stock market, futures, venture capital, and all that. It makes my head spin. I'm completely uninterested in it," David said with a sour expression, taking a big gulp from his glass.
"So, what do you like?" Bruce asked with a smile.
"Football!" David answered without hesitation.
"But can football put food on the table?" Walsh almost seemed ready to give him another slap.
"That's why I don't want to study in the United States," David muttered.
Everyone couldn't help but laugh at his reluctance.
"How about this, Mark? I'll go to the United States with you in a few days," Levi suddenly said.
"You too? Why?" David asked in surprise.
Everyone in the room was a bit surprised, as Levi had never mentioned this before.
"Here's the thing. I've been thinking. The inheritance and insurance money my parents left me, plus the money from selling the shop, is enough to keep the club running for a few years. But I don't want to just sit on it, so I'm planning to invest it."
No one knew how much Levi had, not even Walsh. The only thing they knew was that Levi invested £300,000 when he founded the club. That money was nearly spent, so Levi's plan made sense, as football alone couldn't sustain the club.
"Investment? Then you should talk to my brother. But what do you plan to invest in?"
Levi smiled. "I've been researching for a long time. Since Steve Jobs returned to Apple, he has successfully stabilized the company. I believe the next period will be a time for Apple to show its strength. I'm very bullish on the company's stock."
Everyone knew Apple's name, but as fans who rarely ventured beyond football, they didn't understand Steve Jobs' significance to Apple.
Levi couldn't tell them directly that in 1998, investing $1,000 in Apple would become $30,000 by 2008, a thirty-fold increase. That knowledge would spread like wildfire.
However, Levi's primary interest wasn't just Apple's stock. He was also interested in Google and netflix, which was about to be established and seek its first venture capital. The company was just starting and struggling to find investors. Seizing this opportunity could be highly profitable.
Additionally, Levi had other plans, such as taking advantage of the 1998 Asian economic crisis and the Russian ruble crisis on September 2, when the ruble depreciated by 70% in one day. These foresights could lead to significant profits.
Levi knew that to play football with big teams, he needed substantial funds. Seeing clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City, which had owners casually investing hundreds of millions, he knew that, as a time traveler, he couldn't afford to be stingy. Enough money was necessary. Without it, achieving championships or even keeping players would be impossible.
"Well, let me talk to my brother and delay my departure for a few more days. We can go together," David said, seizing the ideal excuse.
"Then at least wait until early August," Bruce suggested.
"I think so too. By that time, the team's warm-up matches will be over, and the league won't have started yet. Most matters will be planned. I can stay a few more days without affecting the team's operations."
As the boss, Levi knew he couldn't leave everything unattended as before, unless he became as rich as Abramovich, enjoying life on a yacht with models.
"Nevertheless, I feel there's a more important matter before us that we must address!" Levi suddenly smiled mysteriously.
"What?" Bruce didn't notice anything unusual.
Walsh fetched a document bag, brought it to Levi.
Levi took out a contract from the file bag and handed it to Bruce. "Of course, we need to finalize our head coach!"
David was taken aback but soon laughed and cheered. Curtis was equally excited, as this was his first experience witnessing a head coach's signing ceremony.
"We are a small club and can't pay too much. We can only offer you a monthly salary of £500. As for the contract length, you can fill it out as you like." Levi's smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
"Steve, once again, I sincerely hope you can become our team's head coach and lead our young team on a legendary journey that belongs to us!"
"Yes, Steve, promise us!" Walsh added.
"Sign it, don't hesitate, Steve!" David urged, eager to grab Bruce's hand and sign for him.
Curtis was also nervous, worried that Bruce might refuse.
A weekly salary of £500 isn't high, but for a newly established amateur club, it can be considered a high salary. Even many professional club head coaches might not earn such an amount.
Bruce looked up at Levi, then shook his head, scaring everyone into thinking he was going to refuse.
Instead, he said, "As far as I know, the club isn't affluent right now. We spent £80,000 to treat Messi, and we'll need more for home and league matters. Paying me £500 a month would worsen things."
"Rest assured, Steve. I might not excel at much, but I can manage accounts. I've helped in my father's supermarket as a cashier since I was a kid. The accounting won't be wrong," Levi assured, smiling.
"Even if the salary is paid, I'll only take £1 compulsorily. Use the rest of the money where it's needed," Bruce suggested.
His proposal was immediately supported by cheers from Walsh, David, and Curtis, but Levi didn't think it was right.
"No, friends are friends, but this is work. Steve, you work for the club, and the club pays you. This is a matter of course, not about personal relationships. I will also consider giving Andy a salary because this is work, unrelated to personal connections or morals."
"Steve, I know you have ambitions and are capable, but you lack some experience. In the near future, higher-level teams will offer you opportunities. I can personally guarantee that I won't set obstacles for you. I'll never forget the help you gave us during our most difficult times. I'm even willing to write this into the contract!"
Walsh and David, now understanding Levi's reasoning, agreed. Bruce charging £1 was to avoid potential conflicts if a higher-level team approached him, ensuring they remained friends.
Levi's guarantee was to prevent Bruce from worrying about the future.
"Well, since you put it that way, I'll agree. Let's sign a two-year contract," Bruce suggested.
Levi had no problem with that.
Watching Bruce sign his name on the contract that Levi had already signed, Levi felt a great sense of relief.