May 25, 2013
In my office I'm currently sat with Luis Goncalves whom I had brought onboard from Shawtee Donetsk as Sporting Director before my purchase of the club to help steer the club towards a new direction. Our discussion focused on filling out other management roles
Luis pulled out a folder containing information on shortlisted candidates for the positions that need to be filled out " based on discussions we've had before, these are some of the people I feel should fill out the roles that we need in the team and they include: Steve Walsh for our Chief Scout, Head of Youth Development will be Jim Lawlor, also David Trezeguet and David Mills will fill out some scouting positions,Head of Medical Staff will be Dr, Mike Stone, Head Of Sports Science will be Dr. Steve McNally, Marketing Director will be Richard Arnold, Community Relations Director will be Paul Scholes, Head of Analytics will be Simon Kuper and Media relations manager will be Rachel Thompson. Some of this people have signed contracts with the club and some have been approached and it is expected that they all sign within the next week." He listed out names and roles that needed to be filled and brought out a different folder from his bag
" Alright with that out the way it is time we settle on a Head Coach. Amongst the coaches available to take over the team I have shortlisted 2 potential people to fill out the roles and they are Marco Bielsa and Carlo Ancelotti." He informed me
I thought about this two and realized they're two vastly different figures Bielsa known for his innovative tactics and his ability to work with and improve young players, and Ancelotti a seasoned winner with an unparalleled track record at the top level of European football but I had my ideas
"Why should we hire a new manager when I can just step into the role myself?" I asked Luis, my voice calm yet resolute. It was a question that had been lingering in my mind for some time, but now that it was out in the open, it felt like the right moment to challenge the status quo.
Luis, who had been initially excited about the prospect of Bielsa's potential long-term impact on the club, looked taken aback by my sudden suggestion. His eyebrows shot up, and for a moment, he seemed to struggle for words. "Surely you're joking, right?" he asked, unable to hide the surprise in his tone.
But I wasn't joking. I shook my head, leaning forward slightly, my conviction growing stronger with every word. "I'm not. I've spent the last ten years preparing for a moment like this. Four of those years, I've worked at various clubs, immersing myself in different footballing philosophies, from possession-heavy tactics to more direct styles. I've studied everything I could get my hands on—tactics, psychology, player development—so that when the time came, I would be ready. I've been building the necessary skills, learning from different environments, and gaining insights into how to adapt to any challenge that may come my way. This is the culmination of that experience. Now, when a situation like this arises, I want to be at the forefront, ready to lead."
Luis looked at me in stunned silence for a few moments, clearly processing what I'd just laid out. His expression shifted from shock to something more contemplative, as if weighing the seriousness of my words. "To be honest," he said slowly, his voice softer now, "I don't really know what to say to that. It's not what I expected to hear. But if you truly believe that you're ready for this—if you're confident in your abilities—who am I to argue?" His tone was a mix of admiration and cautious acceptance.
I could see the wheels turning in his mind, but I knew there was still more to discuss. This wasn't just about me stepping in as head coach—it was about ensuring that we had the right team around us to achieve success. And if I was going to lead, I needed to make sure we had the best possible support system in place.
"There's one more thing," I said, sensing the moment was right to bring it up. "I want to bring in Julian Nagelsmann as my assistant coach."
Luis blinked in surprise. "Nagelsmann? But... isn't he just an assistant at Hoffenheim right now? He's still young—he's not even a head coach yet."
I nodded. "That's true. But that's exactly why I want him. Julian's tactical understanding is impressive for someone so young, and I believe he has the potential to go far in management. Right now, he's a highly respected assistant, learning under the guidance of great minds. His future as a head coach is clear, but he's willing to join me as an assistant because he sees the potential here. He's hungry to learn and develop further, and his fresh ideas will be invaluable in shaping our tactical approach."
Luis seemed to consider this carefully. "It's a bold move. But if you're really convinced he's the right person for the role, then I trust your judgment. I just didn't expect you to bring him into the fold so quickly."
With that our meeting was over
May 28, 2013 - A Hotel in Germany
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A few days later, Luis and I found ourselves seated in the sleek, modern conference room of an upscale hotel in Hoffenheim, awaiting the arrival of Julian Nagelsmann and his agent. The room was quiet, save for the soft murmur of distant voices and the occasional clink of glasses from the hotel bar down the hall. The anticipation was palpable, and despite the calm exterior, I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me. This meeting was the next step in cementing the future I had envisioned for Manchester United.
After a brief wait, the door swung open, and in walked Julian, looking as composed as ever, with his agent right behind him. The moment I saw him, a smile spread across my face, and I stood up to greet him with a warm hug. It had been years since we last crossed paths, and it felt good to reconnect.
"King, my friend," Julian said, his voice full of familiar warmth and genuine surprise. "When you told me you were going to buy Manchester United, I thought you were out of your mind. But now look at you—you're actually here. It's incredible."
I chuckled, clapping him on the back. "I told you I'd make it happen, didn't I?" I replied, laughing as we pulled apart.
Luis, who had been watching the reunion with a raised eyebrow, gave a small nod of approval, but he was clearly eager to get down to business. After a few minutes of catching up, I knew it was time to get to the point.
"Julian," I began, my voice steady but filled with purpose. "I've come here for a reason. I want you to be my assistant coach at Manchester United."
The words hung in the air for a moment, and I could see the surprise register on Julian's face. He blinked and looked at me, clearly processing what I had just said. "Wait, you're going to coach the team?" he asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "Are you sure?"
I gave a confident nod, leaning forward slightly. "Of course I am. Just take a look at the contract."
Luis, who had been quietly observing, slid the contract across the table to Julian and his agent. They both picked it up and began flipping through the pages, studying the terms closely. I could see Julian's mind at work, analyzing every detail.
"As you can see," I continued, "the contract is for five years. But there's a clause included for you. If any German club comes calling and offers you a head coach role after your third year with us, you can leave for free. However, if it happens before that, they will have to buy out your contract."
There was a long silence as Julian and his agent read through the details, their eyes flicking back and forth between the pages and each other. I could sense the gravity of the decision weighing on them, but I remained calm, letting them digest the offer.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Julian glanced at his agent, who gave a subtle nod. Julian then turned back to me, his expression one of firm resolve. "Alright," he said, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Let's move forward with this. I'm on board. I'll leave it to my agent to handle any adjustments that need to be made with you, but I'm excited for what's ahead. I think we're going to have a great partnership."
We both stood up, and I extended my hand. Julian took it firmly, and we shook hands—an unspoken agreement that this was the beginning of something special. With a final nod, Julian and his agent excused themselves, stepping out of the room.
As the door closed behind them, a surge of relief flooded over me. We had done it. Julian Nagelsmann was officially joining Manchester United—not as a future head coach, but as my right-hand man, ready to help build a new era for the club.
I turned to Luis, who was watching me with a knowing smile. "It's done," I said quietly, my heart still racing from the weight of the moment.
Luis nodded, his expression one of quiet approval. "You've made the right choice. Now, the real work begins."
And with that, the path ahead was clear. We had the team in place. Now, it was time to build something that would redefine Manchester United for a new generation.
A couple days later
The news broke suddenly, sending shockwaves through Manchester United's fanbase. The announcement was as unexpected as it was shocking: the club's new owner, with no managerial experience at a top-level football club, declared himself the new head coach. The reaction was immediate and overwhelmingly negative. Fans across the globe were stunned, and their anger spread like wildfire. Social media exploded with harsh criticism, disbelief, and frustration.
"Is this a joke? This is Manchester United, not some Sunday league team. We need a proper manager, not someone playing out an ego trip!" one fan fumed on Twitter, a sentiment echoed by thousands of others. The overwhelming tone across fan forums and discussion boards was one of shock and frustration. Fans who had grown accustomed to Sir Alex Ferguson's legendary leadership were not about to let an inexperienced owner waltz into such a monumental role without a fight.
"We're already in a fragile state after Fergie left, and now this? If this madness goes ahead, we'll be mid-table in no time," another fan lamented. The fear of losing the club's status as one of the world's greatest footballing institutions was palpable. The idea that the new owner—who had no experience in managing a team of United's caliber—would assume control only deepened the anxiety among supporters. It wasn't just about football tactics; it was about respect for the club's legacy, its identity, and its place at the top of English football.
Pessimism dominated the conversation as United fans feared the worst. With Manchester United already facing a critical transition after the departure of Ferguson, the notion that a newcomer, with no real managerial background, could take charge of one of the biggest clubs in the world seemed like a reckless gamble. The club, once driven by the steady hand of Ferguson, now felt rudderless, and the appointment of the new owner as manager seemed like an affront to everything Ferguson had built.
But in the midst of the growing storm of dissent, I knew this was just the beginning. I had been preparing for this moment for years, quietly absorbing lessons from various teams, studying different footballing styles, and building my knowledge to ensure that when an opportunity like this came, I would be ready. While the reaction from the fans was loud and harsh, I believed that the decision to appoint me was the first step in a new era for Manchester United—a fresh start after Ferguson's retirement. I knew that there would be challenges ahead, but I was ready to face them head-on.
I had a vision for this club, one that would see Manchester United return to the top. With me at the helm, I believed the squad had the potential to grow and evolve, combining youthful energy with the experienced core of players already in place. Despite the skepticism from the fans and the media, I was confident that, with the right tactical approach and the support of the team, we could overcome the initial hurdles and build something truly special.
This wasn't just about me stepping into a managerial role—it was about breathing new life into the club, rebuilding after the loss of an icon, and leading Manchester United back to greatness. I understood the pressure, the weight of history, and the immense responsibility of managing a club of this stature. But I also knew that with hard work, vision, and a commitment to success, we could forge a new chapter.
Though the noise from the outside world was deafening, I remained steadfast in my belief that the future of Manchester United was bright. In time, I hoped the fans would see that I wasn't simply the new owner playing a role—I was the manager who had the knowledge, the drive, and the vision to lead the club back to glory. The road ahead would undoubtedly be difficult, but I was ready to face the challenge and prove that the decision to put me in charge was the right one for the club's future.