In 1994, England was eliminated from the World Cup qualifiers, casting a shadow over the entire nation as the tournament approached. Despite mainstream media focusing on the upcoming World Cup, it was evident that the domestic public was less interested in the event.
Manchester United, having successfully defended their title, was just one step away from the domestic treble; unfortunately, they suffered a narrow defeat to Aston Villa at Wembley.
Blackburn, built with a hefty investment, performed admirably, finishing as runners-up, sparking ambitions for the championship in the coming year.
Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United proved to be a brilliant spectacle in the Premier League, playing an enchanting attacking style of football, with forward Andy Cole netting an astonishing 41 goals that season, including a staggering 34 in league play. Rumors circulated that Ferguson had begun to take an interest in him.
Swindon managed only five wins and conceded over a hundred goals...
Arsenal triumphed in the European Cup Winners' Cup...
News from the Premier League had moved on, but Millwall's dismal defeat to Derby County in the playoff for promotion was not particularly newsworthy. Suddenly, Aldrich burst onto the scene at a press conference, unexpectedly announcing that the Hall family would take charge of the team next season. This announcement warranted significant coverage from the press, as they noted the bewildered expression on the current Millwall manager's face.
In England, the authority of the manager role is traditionally respected and protected.
If the club ownership changes while the manager remains unaware, it certainly becomes a major story.
What made this news even juicier was that it was announced by a young man who had just turned eighteen—reporters flocked to it.
Ignoring the media frenzy outside, Aldrich sat quietly in his study. He could easily imagine that Millwall was in turmoil.
Having just lost their hopes of returning to the top division, the sudden emergence of a new owner—a matter that affects everyone's future and fate—naturally stirred a storm of emotions.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
Aldrich stood to greet the group entering the study, led by Andrew and Barnett, followed by several middle-aged men in suits, likely staff members accompanying Barnett.
Barnett turned to glance at the people following him and then, alongside Andrew, made his way to Aldrich. The three gathered by the window, speaking quietly.
Barnett, with a tone of helplessness and reproach, said, "Aldrich, I'm your brother. We are all part of the Hall family. If you need money, just say how much. I can give you a hundred; I won't give you ninety-nine. Thirty million pounds is not a small amount, but give me some time, and I can manage it. Take it; do not say 'borrow,' as that would hurt our relationship."
Barnett's wealth had exceeded two hundred million pounds, yet Aldrich's request for thirty million would require him to tap into liquid assets, forcing him to cash out stocks or sell investments in a short time.
Their family wasn't destitute, but they also weren't exceptionally wealthy. In eight years, the Hall family had soared, yet the familial bonds remained untainted by the allure of money, which deeply touched Aldrich. Nonetheless, he replied earnestly, "Brother, it's different."
Frowning, Barnett scrutinized him, hoping for a reasonable explanation.
"To you, Millwall might seem like a toy I've been given, where the amount spent is just for the sake of pleasure. But to me, it's a club—a football club that will require funding today, funding tomorrow, and still more funding ten years from now. I need to set the club on the right path. Brother, lend me thirty million pounds, and I will repay you thirty-five million within five years. This will be pressure for me too. If I can't repay you after five years, I'll sell the club to prevent wasting funds. If I can repay you after five years, it means I've succeeded. Don't you want to see a successful Aldrich?"
Barnett gazed at Aldrich for a long time before finally nodding. He turned back to the men accompanying him, gesturing, and then returned his gaze to Aldrich, saying, "No interest will be charged, and there's no need for a five-year timeframe; just sign a contract."
The people he brought were naturally lawyers and business associates, and a loan contract was laid before Aldrich. Without hesitation, he signed his name.
Before leaving, Barnett expressed his regrets, as he had hoped to gift his brother a team capable of reaching the Premier League, only to find Millwall still remaining in the lower tier.
After marrying, Barnett and his wife Leah settled in West London, where his company's headquarters are located. He soon excused himself, leaving behind a middle-aged man.
The man was well-groomed and composed, introducing himself to Aldrich: "Hello, boss. My name is Adam Jan. For the past two years, I have been the club's Sports Director. Other than the competitive affairs of the team, I'm responsible for managing everything else within the club."
Aldrich sized up Adam and then formally shook his hand. He then gestured for them to sit on the sofa against the wall in the study, while Andrew sensibly brought in two cups of coffee.
Aldrich did not intend to interfere in the club's operations, but he needed to clarify his stance with Adam.
For matters related to players and games, he must be consulted.
Adam felt a sense of having to heed instructions from someone twenty years his junior.
"Adam, what are your thoughts on the club's future development?"
Adam placed the coffee down earnestly, saying, "The shelved stadium plan should be expedited. Having a better and larger stadium greatly impacts the club's income."
Aldrich nodded in agreement but added, "That can wait. What I mean is about business strategies: first, I have a question. If this offends you, I hope you'll forgive me. Do you understand commercial football?"
Adam looked perplexed, furrowing his brow as he cautiously replied, "Like Manchester United treating the club as a publicly traded company?"
Aldrich shook his head lightly, responding, "You've been with the club for two years, so you should have a broad understanding of football. But let me ask you, which club in England has been the most successful?"
"Manchester United."
"In the last thirty years?"
"Manchester United."
"Why, when Liverpool became the European champions after Real Madrid, and Manchester United was relegated, was Manchester United still the most successful club in England?"
Adam furrowed his brow, seemingly unable to answer.
It's a strange phenomenon; during Liverpool's era of four European Cup victories, their fans acknowledged that Manchester United was favored externally—even after relegation, Manchester United retained its formidable reputation.
It seemed Manchester United possessed an aura, a belief that their players and coaches were the best and therefore deserved to be the best, a proud and unabashed stance that set them apart in Europe and world football.
The Edwards family tirelessly crafted a commercialized Manchester United, not just Manchester City's version but the world's Manchester United.
Later developments in the commercialization process were even more perplexing—why, in the early 21st century, could Manchester United, with only two Champions League titles, be discussed alongside illustrious clubs like AC Milan and Real Madrid?
Even in the first two years of Real Madrid implementing a superstar strategy, Manchester United's jersey sales revenue remained ten times that of Real Madrid!
Manchester United had climbed to the pinnacle of sports club commercial value.
Seeing Adam lost in thought, Aldrich spoke softly, "The commercial marketing of a football club is built on performance, and currently, the team is merely a second-tier club in England. Therefore, I won't pressure you, but when my team becomes a renowned force in England, you will play an important role. Until that moment, your management of the club will be quite relaxed. I give you a simple task: learn—study Manchester United and all of their commercial operations. That's all."
As Adam was leaving, he cast a deep gaze at the handsome and refined Aldrich, his earlier sense of condescension completely dissipated.
Aldrich encouraging Adam to learn from Manchester United did not seem problematic to him.
After Florentino took charge of Real Madrid, he studied Manchester United's marketing strategies until he realized they were missing just one player, David Beckham. He then brought Beckham to Madrid, and from that point on, Real Madrid's commercial value soared and began to rival Manchester United.
After seeing Adam off, Aldrich returned to the study, discovering Andrew was perusing his notebook. Andrew quickly scanned through the densely packed tactical notes, which were Aldrich's insights, before placing the notebook aside and turning to Aldrich, his expression serious: "The club's internal structure is about to change drastically, and some players have even submitted transfer requests."
Aldrich wasn't surprised at all. He sat down and responded, "It's normal. Many may believe that an eighteen-year-old owner would treat the team as a toy. I've just given Adam a list—I've kept only two players from the first team: one left-back and one goalkeeper. Everyone else over twenty-two is up for sale, and players under twenty-two wishing to leave won't be stopped; those who want to stay will be sent to the reserve team."
Aldrich had thoroughly analyzed the team's roster, ultimately retaining goalkeeper Casselly-Keller, aged 25, and 17-year-old Australian left-back Lucas Neill.
The other main players were either too old or deemed lacking in potential by Aldrich.
Taking over the team, he first needed to secure the locker room.
How could an eighteen-year-old expect a group of players averaging twenty-five years old to listen to him?
It was a pipe dream!
Thus, Aldrich employed the simplest method to pave the way for himself.
He would sell off anyone who wouldn't comply.
He didn't have time to gauge players' reactions; this summer, he was destined to be busy.