### Things Inside and Outside the Stadium
"Hey, Alberto, have you had breakfast this early?" Levi opened the door, surprised to see Alberto De Rossi standing there.
Could it be that the promises Levi made yesterday weren't enticing enough for Alberto and his family? If that was the case, Levi might have to consider letting De Rossi go. With over a decade of football knowledge, Levi knew there would be many world-class players in the future. De Rossi was among the better ones, but not Levi's only choice.
Moreover, Levi despised players overly focused on money. If a player's manager constantly asked for raises and used interest from other clubs as leverage, Levi wouldn't hesitate to sell the player. To Levi, the humanity of the club was worthless to some vampires!
"Oh, sorry, Levi, I didn't mean to wake you up so early!" Alberto looked awkward.
Seeing his expression, Levi felt more pessimistic.
"It's okay, actually, I'm already awake and getting ready for breakfast. Let's go!" Without waiting for Alberto to answer, Levi left the room.
Alberto hesitated for a moment before following Levi.
They stayed at a rural hotel, which couldn't compare with luxury hotels in the metropolis. Levi preferred such quiet places without disturbances. Unlike weekdays when he insisted on eating Germany food, Levi decided to follow local customs and taste Italian cuisine.
After letting Alberto recommend a few Italian dishes, Levi ordered a cup of hot milk. He never liked coffee, finding it too bitter.
"Alberto, is there something you want to discuss?" Levi asked before breakfast arrived.
Alberto looked embarrassed, hesitating as if unsure how to begin.
"If you have something to say, Alberto, just say it. We're friends. What can't be said between two friends?"
Alberto sighed. "It's my wife. She doesn't oppose moving to Manchester, but..."
"But what?" Levi encouraged him. He felt Alberto was a good person, which reassured him that Alberto had likely agreed to his offer but had other concerns.
"Daniel is still in school, and we're unfamiliar with life in Manchester. I'm afraid rushing there will affect my family," Alberto finally said.
Levi laughed. "That's it? Alberto, it's my fault for not telling you this earlier. We'll arrange housing for you in advance, so when you arrive in Manchester, you can move in immediately."
"As for Daniel's schooling, we'll help contact schools in Manchester. Our club's youth team has partnerships with local schools."
Alberto visibly relaxed after hearing Levi's words. He had been scolded by his wife the previous night for not knowing these details and was sent early this morning to inquire.
Alberto's concern reminded Levi of a larger issue. Later football clubs often neglected the personal lives of foreign players and staff. Levi once read a book detailing how European clubs often failed in this regard. For example, after Drogba transferred to Chelsea, the club provided little help with his personal life, leaving him to find his own housing and school for his son.
Other players like Makelele and Anelka had similar experiences. In contrast, AC Milan excelled in this area, hiring staff to assist players with their daily lives.
Levi realized he had overlooked this issue. He often said he wanted to give players the best, and now he would ensure they received it.
"Thank you, Alberto, for reminding me of something important!" Levi laughed while eating breakfast.
Alberto wanted to ask why but held back when he saw Levi focus on his meal.
"Yes, Levi, when do you want me to start working?" Alberto asked as he wiped his mouth.
Levi thought for a moment. "Are you free now?"
"Of course!" Alberto replied. The team was on vacation, so there were no pressing commitments. Leaving the Ostia Mare club required only a phone call, given it was an amateur club and the boss was a friend of Alberto's.
"Then I hope you can start today!"
"Today?" Alberto was surprised.
Levi nodded and smiled. "Yes, but I'll respect your opinion." He didn't like to force people.
Alberto thought about it. It wouldn't be good to refuse the boss on the first day, so he nodded and agreed.
"Then you better go home first, prepare your clothes, and bring your passport, because we are going to travel!" Levi said with a smile.
Alberto was stunned. Was this a job or a vacation?
For Levi, this job was like a paid vacation, so it could be considered both.
After explaining to his wife, Alberto drove to the hotel to pick up Levi, and they headed straight to Rome, a hundred miles away.
Levi first asked Alberto to take him to the Olympic Stadium, shared by Roma and Lazio. This stadium was not new; despite several renovations, it still looked old. Iron fences surrounded it, and there was a large open space in front of the main gate. Trees lined both sides of the road, with many pedestrians sitting under the trees to enjoy the shade.
"The Italian team has a significant disadvantage: their stadiums," Levi commented as they sat in the car, looking at the Olympic Stadium.
Alberto was puzzled by Levi's sudden statement.
"These stadiums can't be easily modified or expanded. Their management and surrounding areas are also lacking. Do you know how expensive the land around Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium is? The Olympic Stadium can't compare, but if managed well, it could generate significant revenue for the club."
Alberto, unfamiliar with club operations, couldn't say much.
"Maybe it's not obvious now, but in a few years, as professional football becomes more commercialized, this outdated system will become a major obstacle for Italian clubs," Levi added.
Alberto listened and felt Levi's words made sense.
Levi patted his shoulder. "Let's head to the airport. A colleague should be arriving soon."
Alberto nodded and drove to Da Vinci Airport in the western suburbs of Rome.
They flew from Rome to Valencia, Spain, where they picked up Jim Cassel from Manchester. The three then flew to Cartagena, Spain, a coastal city south of Spain near the Mediterranean Sea.
Arriving in Cartagena, they quickly found a taxi. Half an hour later, they stood in front of the Cartagena Club, ready to embark on their new journey.
Levi looked at the club's modest facilities. "This is where we start. It's not glamorous, but it's full of potential."
Alberto nodded, sensing Levi's vision. "So, what's the plan here?"
"We're here to scout new talent and understand the local football culture. We'll also see if there are any opportunities for collaboration or investment," Levi explained.
Jim Cassel, who had been quiet during the journey, spoke up. "I've heard there are some promising young players in this region. It could be worth checking out their training sessions."
Levi agreed. "Yes, let's observe their training and maybe even watch a few matches. We need to understand their strengths and weaknesses."
The trio entered the Cartagena Club, where they were greeted by the club's manager, a middle-aged man with a friendly demeanor. "Welcome! I'm Miguel, the manager here. How can I assist you?"
Levi introduced himself and his companions. "We're here to explore potential collaborations and scout talent. We'd love to see your facilities and observe some training sessions."
Miguel smiled. "Of course! Follow me, I'll give you a tour."
As they walked through the club, Miguel explained their philosophy and training methods. Levi listened intently, occasionally asking questions about their approach and player development.
After the tour, they watched a training session. Levi observed the players closely, noting their techniques, teamwork, and individual skills. He was particularly impressed by a young midfielder who showed exceptional vision and passing ability.
"That kid has potential," Levi remarked to Jim. "We should keep an eye on him."
Jim nodded. "I agree. He could be a great addition to our youth team."
Alberto, meanwhile, was engaged in a conversation with Miguel about the challenges faced by the club. "It's difficult to retain talent when bigger clubs come knocking," Miguel admitted.
Levi overheard and joined the conversation. "That's a common issue. We believe in creating a supportive environment for our players, both on and off the field. It's important to address their personal needs as well as their professional development."
Miguel looked intrigued. "That's a refreshing approach. Many clubs focus solely on performance."
Levi nodded. "We've learned that a happy player is a productive player. If they feel supported, they'll give their best on the pitch."
As the day progressed, Levi, Jim, and Alberto continued to gather insights and build relationships with the Cartagena staff. By the end of the day, they had a better understanding of the local football scene and identified several potential collaboration opportunities.
"We've made some good connections here," Levi said as they left the club. "This could be the start of something beneficial for both sides."
Alberto agreed. "Yes, it's clear they have talented players and a passionate staff. We can definitely work with them."
The next few days were spent visiting other local clubs and academies, each with its own unique strengths and challenges. Levi made it a point to understand not just the footballing aspects but also the cultural nuances that influenced the game in this region.
One evening, as they sat in a small café discussing their findings, Jim brought up a crucial point. "We need to think about how we can integrate these young talents into our system without disrupting their development."
Levi nodded. "Exactly. It's not just about signing players; it's about providing them with the right environment to thrive. We need to ensure they have access to good education, comfortable living conditions, and a support network."
Alberto, who had been reflecting on his own family's concerns, added, "And we need to make sure their families are also taken care of. Moving