Sitting in a wicker chair on the balcony, Aymar Zambo closed his eyes and mentally accessed the CoachMaster Guidance System.
Over the past few days, he had gradually familiarized himself with the system's functions.
When he'd first started coaching the youth team, the system had sent a notification, informing him that he had his own coaching staff to manage. It then issued two tasks.
The mission system was another intriguing feature Aymar had discovered within the CoachMaster Guidance System. So far, two missions had been assigned: the first was to lead the team to a top-10 finish in the standings, and the second was to gain the players' and staff's trust.
Like a quest in an online game, each mission promised rewards. The ranking-related task was high-stakes but offered generous rewards, including the chance to unlock a new skill and 10 achievement points. The second task was simpler; if anyone on the team, be it player or staff, developed a goodwill rating of over 70 toward Aymar, he would complete the mission.
The rewards were modest for the second task—just one achievement point—but it seemed worthwhile.
Achievement points were another element he had recently discovered. As of now, their purpose was unclear, as he hadn't completed any missions yet.
"Those poor guys must hate me by now!" Aymar thought with an amused grin.
The rigorous training he'd imposed had truly tested the youth team. Most of the players were around 18, so he didn't hold back; the intense sessions continued without much leniency.
After nearly a week, though, Aymar felt it was time to ease up. The physical conditioning wasn't something that could be built in a week alone—it would take more time to establish a foundation strong enough to sustain them for the entire season. But with only a month left until the league kicked off, Aymar knew he'd need to transition into tactical training soon to prepare the team fully.
And before he could drill the players in these tactics, he'd need to introduce his ideas to Pippo Glaviano.
As Aymar thought about his tactical approach, he saw Pippo approaching with a tired expression. Seeing Aymar lounging in the chair and gazing at the stars didn't exactly improve his mood, though he knew he had to seek Aymar's guidance.
"Aymar," Pippo began, a touch of exasperation in his voice, "why, in this tactical 'masterpiece' of yours, do you divide the pitch into so many small areas?"
Tim held the tactical artwork that Aymar had meticulously drawn over the past few days. It was a detailed floor plan of the pitch, with areas like the center line, penalty box, and other markers carefully outlined. But unlike a simple layout, the pitch was divided into numerous smaller zones, each serving as a guide for different phases of play.
Aymar explained, "The zones define the areas where players should operate, but they aren't fixed positions. For example," he pointed to an area on the left side near the center line, "when we're defending, this might be the range for the left forward. When we're balancing defense and attack, it becomes the left midfielder's zone, and when we're pressing forward, it's covered by the left-back."
"So, while the zones stay constant, players adapt their positioning based on the game's flow, moving across different areas as needed," Aymar continued.
Tim quickly caught on—Aymar was using the 11 field players to strategically occupy space, allowing them to manage larger areas of the pitch through coordinated movement. By translating this into clear zones, he made a complex approach easier to grasp and visualize.
"And what do these red and green lines mean?" Tim asked, studying another diagram that had paths of different colors drawn over each area.
"Think of it like a traffic map. Red lines mark restricted paths; green lines are encouraged routes," Aymar replied. "I created these paths to help players internalize ideal running lanes, teaching them where to be at different moments."
These paths weren't passing routes but guides for coordinated movement and spacing.
"Running and positioning are critical," Aymar continued, his voice filled with certainty. "In the years ahead, teams that excel will be those that control space through constant off-ball movement. Many teams today focus on holding the ball or waiting for gaps. But I want my players to move with purpose, create options, and open more 'green routes'—space for efficient, coordinated attacks."
In 2024, Aymar knew that forward-thinking teams prioritized positional play, pressing, and complex off-ball rotations, emphasizing the value of constant movement. Reflecting on the late 2000s, he noted how Guardiola's Barcelona and Klopp's pressing style had revolutionized play, shifting from slow ball control to intense, dynamic positioning.
"But right now," he continued, "the popular style is slower, often centered on playmakers with lots of space and time. Stars like Zidane and Rui Costa dominate this approach, looking for openings and gradually creating opportunities."
"My approach flips that," Aymar said. "I prioritize speed and spatial control. I want us to strike fast and unsettle the opponent. Through quick, decisive movement, we'll disrupt their rhythm and create openings."
Tim's jaw dropped as he processed Aymar's advanced understanding. He had thought Aymar's UEFA certification implied skill, but this tactical philosophy was unlike anything he'd encountered.
"Of course," Aymar continued, "I know this youth team won't fully master my system right away. But that's alright. Right now, I want them focused on movement—running, passing faster, and applying coordinated pressure. If we don't score right away, we're building the habits they'll need in future play."
From Aymar's perspective, 2024 football had advanced to maximize space and control through pressing and positional play, with no room for the open defensive lines typical of 2006. Players like Ronaldo and Ronaldinho thrived on exploiting those gaps, often able to outplay entire defensive lines.
It was Greece's disciplined structure in the 2004 European Championship that first revealed how cohesion and compactness could change the game. That dark horse win had reminded the world of football's tactical potential, something Aymar intended to make his youth team fully understand.
As football tactics evolved, the world shifted its focus from individual stars to cohesive team play. The days of a lone superstar singlehandedly dismantling the opposition were fading; coaches everywhere began emphasizing teamwork and unity.
For the Hellas Verona youth team, Aymar knew that individual skill wasn't enough to overcome their opponents. The team simply didn't have the raw talent to outplay their competition one-on-one. Instead, he planned to close this gap with disciplined, structured team play. By focusing on synchronized movement and coordinated tactical discipline, he could disrupt the opposition's formation and make his team's collective strength their greatest asset.
Aymar's strategy was clear: if they lost possession, every player would immediately apply pressure to win the ball back. This instant counter-pressing tactic—something familiar to fans in 2024—was practically unheard of in 2006. But he knew this approach would allow his team to retain control, reducing the time their opponents had on the ball and frustrating any attempts to build attacks.
"Tim, trust me," Aymar said confidently. "If we stick to my plan, we'll control the game. As long as the players commit to executing this strategy, I can guide them to play a fierce, relentless brand of attacking football!"
The challenge, he knew, was teaching these young players the tactical awareness and discipline needed to implement such a high-intensity, structured approach. But Aymar was convinced that, with time, this system could give them the edge they needed.
Listening to Aymar's bold words, Pippo was at a loss. The tactical drawings he'd seen from Aymar had already given him a glimpse into his friend's advanced understanding of football. Now, he didn't even know how to respond; he was unsure if he could keep up with Aymar's flood of innovative ideas.
But Aymar wasn't as optimistic as Pippo assumed. The Hellas Verona youth team had its limitations in terms of talent, apart from one or two promising players. Even Pippo, who had formal training in advanced football knowledge, struggled to grasp some of the concepts in Aymar's tactical blueprint—drawings that condensed the next decade of tactical evolution. For the youth team to fully understand and execute his tactics wouldn't be an overnight achievement.
For now, Aymar would need to take a step back and adapt. His immediate goal was simple: lead the team into the top 10 of the league standings. If he could achieve that, it would be enough to start building a reputation, which might even catch the attention of clubs in higher leagues.
Meanwhile, Pippo, having spent time discussing tactics with Aymar, remained deep in thought, fixated on the stack of tactical drafts in his hand. The ideas were revolutionary, and he knew he wouldn't be able to process them all immediately.
"I'll have to study these drawings carefully," Pippo finally said with respect, still in awe of Aymar's vision.
Aymar clapped him on the shoulder. "Oh, by the way, Pippo—didn't you study training methods at the Coverciano National Technical Center?"
"Yes, I did. Why do you ask?" Pippo nodded, intrigued.
Aymar thought for a moment. "I'm looking for an advanced training method that combines high-intensity, compact ball work with physical conditioning. Is there a way to structure training so it develops players' fitness levels while honing their technical and tactical skills at the same time?"
If he remembered correctly, modern training approaches should allow this. Several renowned coaches, including Mourinho, had embraced a method where ball training was integrated with physical conditioning. This approach not only built up players' physical endurance but also sharpened their technical abilities, ensuring they maintained a strong feel for the ball.
"ball control" was an elusive attribute, yet Aymar knew it was a critical factor for player development—one that separated good players from great ones.
"This... is a bit challenging!" Pippo frowned, his brows knitted in thought.
Aymar's eyes lit up as he jumped up from the wicker chair. "So, you have an idea?"
To Aymar, a challenge meant a solution might be just around the corner.
Pippo gave a bitter smile. "Do you know why I first clashed with Gillo Urso?"
Aymar shook his head. He hadn't been around when Pippo had his fallout with Gillo and didn't know the full story.
"It started when I suggested a more experimental approach, with new training routines centered around ball work," Pippo explained. "I argued that football is about skill and precision, not just raw fitness. When we focus only on conditioning, we miss the essence of the sport!"
"Exactly!" Aymar agreed, applauding his friend's perspective.
Encouraged, Pippo continued, "During an exchange program in the United States, I was exposed to some of the advanced sports science and performance tracking they're using. The Americans might lack our depth in tactical tradition, but their use of sports science is impressive. They're way ahead in areas like performance monitoring and data-driven analysis."
The experience had highlighted a gap. While Italian football excelled in tactics, clubs like Hellas Verona, especially at the youth level, often lacked the resources for things like specialized equipment or individualized performance metrics.
Aymar nodded thoughtfully. "It goes beyond training methods, though. I think two things really hold clubs like Verona back—mentality and resources."
He gestured toward the modest stadium, a reminder of the financial constraints facing many lower-division Italian teams. Ticket sales were modest, sponsorships were limited, and the funds simply weren't there for investments in cutting-edge training or facilities. Wealthier clubs, even if they weren't technically stronger, had far more to work with.
For Aymar, the mentality was an equally significant barrier. Conservatism and resistance to change—ingrained in coaches like Gillo—were slowing the sport's evolution. If clubs couldn't open up to new approaches, how could they expect to progress?
Pippo was taken aback by Aymar's insight. He'd considered these issues himself but was impressed by Aymar's clear articulation of them.
"You're right," Pippo agreed, nodding. "Those two things are definitely our biggest obstacles."
"Alright, let's not dwell too much on the problems," Aymar said with a smile, sensing Pippo's frustration. "Let's focus on what we can do. Tell me more about your training ideas!"
Pippo hesitated only briefly before diving into his thoughts, now feeling a renewed sense of purpose with Aymar's encouragement.
During his time in the United States, Pippo had learned a great deal about training methods used by professional sports teams, particularly in American football and the NBA. He had been inspired by how they incorporated advanced technology into training and structured science-based, effective routines.
However, when he returned to Verona, he found few opportunities to apply his insights. The conservative mindset of figures like Gillo Urso kept him sidelined, and his progressive ideas were often dismissed, leaving him feeling frustrated and undervalued.
But today, encouraged by Aymar, Pippo eagerly began to share the knowledge he'd accumulated over the years.
Aymar quickly realized that while Pippo may not be particularly skilled in tactical strategy or team leadership, he had an impressive grasp of modern training techniques, especially his emphasis on ball-centric training. Aymar couldn't help but appreciate Pippo's unique insights.
"You're a genius, Pippo—a true genius in training!" Aymar praised with genuine enthusiasm.
Pippo was taken aback, his expression showing a mix of surprise and excitement. It was the first time someone had fully supported his ideas, the first time someone had recognized his hard-earned knowledge, and he was moved nearly to the point of tears.
Standing up, Aymar placed a firm hand on Pippo's shoulder. "I mean it, Pippo. If Gillo couldn't see your value, it's his loss. But not mine. I want to give you the space to apply your ideas and show what you can do!"
Pippo's heart swelled with pride. In this moment, he didn't see Aymar as just the coach of a youth team in a Serie B club but rather as the mentor he had always needed.
"From today, I'm putting the team's training fully in your hands. I'll discuss our tactical goals and match-specific needs with you, but when it comes to the daily training, you're in charge. You're the main man on the training ground!"
Hearing this, Pippo felt a surge of gratitude. Aymar's gesture, though modest compared to offers from larger clubs, filled him with a sense of purpose and respect he hadn't felt before.
Unbeknownst to Pippo, Aymar also had his reasons. As a transmigrator, he wasn't as strong in training methods, with much of his body's previous knowledge fading. If he took charge of training, his inexperience might become apparent.
After all, some of the most successful coaches in the world, like Ancelotti and Guardiola, relied heavily on their coaching staff for day-to-day training. In Aymar's view, Pippo was the first capable assistant he had truly uncovered, and he was determined to make the most of it.
Both men found themselves reflecting on one another's impact. Pippo felt a deep gratitude toward Aymar but was equally anxious about meeting his expectations. Studying Aymar's tactical drafts, he was determined to get the team's training organized right away and hurried back to start planning.
Just as Pippo turned to leave, a message window appeared in Aymar's mind:
"Task completed: Gain loyalty. Task rewards: +1 achievement points."
Before he could fully absorb this, another message popped up:
"Congratulations on earning achievement points! The store system is now unlocked!"
Aymar blinked, taken aback. Store system? he thought, intrigued.
But seeing that Pippo was still nearby, he decided to put his curiosity aside for now.
As Pippo glanced back, Aymar noticed a new warmth in his friend's gaze. Perhaps it was simply his own awareness of Pippo's loyalty, now clearly cemented through their recent conversation. Aymar had sensed that Pippo's respect for him was growing, but what he didn't know was that Pippo's regard for him was only 65—a level of respect that hadn't reached what he now felt toward Aymar.
Of course, with his guidance system's features still limited, Aymar couldn't see any exact metrics. Instead, he simply appreciated the growing bond of trust and camaraderie, recognizing it as a key ingredient in their path forward.