Football Dynasty-Chapter 548: Conspired to Pit the Two Rivals?

Baltemar Brito had provided Mourinho with a detailed report from Monday night’s match against Chelsea, noting that the plan to mold Gattuso was progressing smoothly. The feedback was encouraging—but before delving further into the more support, Mourinho knew he needed an in-depth conversation with Richard, then.

So he reached out.

And coincidentally, when he did, Richard was there with André Villas-Boas and Ramm Mylvalgam—both watching the conversation and skepticism was palpable in the room Even Richard himself had been taken aback by the focus on Gattuso instead of the likes of Pirlo, Zidane, or Makalele.

"Are you sure it’s Gennaro?" he asked, a note of disbelief in his voice. Mourinho had anticipated the reaction. When he explained the reasoning, Richard’s skepticism slowly gave way to understanding.

For Mourinho, though, the challenge extended far beyond internal buy-in. The central midfield training methods he championed—the intense, technical, and tactical synthesis—had little room to thrive in Spain. Tactical rigor was seen as orthodox, almost dogmatic, while technical innovation was treated with suspicion. It wasn’t just unconventional; it was almost heretical to the mainstream.

He doubted whether he could implement his philosophies immediately. Yet, deep down, he knew opportunity had finally arrived. Becoming manager of Manchester City meant a blank slate, a chance to prove that his vision could flourish.

"Gennaro," he murmured to himself, "the time is now. No one else."

Even as doubt lingered in the corners of his mind, Mourinho felt a spark of resolve. Champions were not born—they were forged. And perhaps, just perhaps, Gattuso was the first piece in a grander design.

Richard then looked toward André Villas-Boas and Ramm Mylvalgam, uncertainty still etched across his face.

Even though the founder of CM training, Guvran, had confidently proclaimed that "genius can be trained," such statements were little more than catchy slogans. If CM training truly had the miraculous power to transform the inept into the extraordinary, then geniuses themselves would hold little value in the world.

"Well...", Villas-Boas leaned forward, his voice measured. "The truth is," he said, "talent is not created. It can be refined, guided... shaped. But there’s a limit. That’s why tailoring education to the individual is crucial. Young players with natural aptitude will flourish faster under CM training. Those with mediocre skills may grasp certain techniques, but they will struggle to meet the uncompromising standards of competitive football."

Ramm Mylvalgam added, "It’s about maximizing potential, not magic. We can push Gattuso, yes, but only if the system recognizes his strengths and shields him from what might break him. Otherwise, the whole experiment fails."

They explained this philosophy to Richard carefully, weaving in examples from past players, tactical adjustments, and training regimens. They shared insights about patience, intensity, and the balance between discipline and freedom—about knowing when to push a player to the edge and when to let instincts take over.

Slowly, Richard’s skepticism softened, replaced by a cautious curiosity.

Thankfully, Gattuso was still very young and highly malleable, with most of his abilities not yet set in stone. But Richard was firm—City couldn’t afford to have players spend every week focusing solely on technique. Instead, technical elements would be carefully integrated into training sessions tailored to each player, limited to two or three hours, twice a week.

"Understood," Richard said, his approval clear. Mourinho let out a relieved sigh. That was enough.

Technical guidance often had to happen in one-on-one or small group settings; a single coach simply couldn’t oversee every player simultaneously. Moreover, the focus of technical training depended on a player’s characteristics and position. For instance, Trezeguet’s sessions were almost entirely devoted to shooting, while for Pirlo, other skills took precedence—shooting was far from the priority.

Before the weekend match, after winning the League Cup, City had a respectable run in March, remaining undefeated with just one draw—almost the same as Chelsea, who had one loss and one draw. Meanwhile, Manchester United and Arsenal had won all their matches.

League Standings:

Manchester United — 66 points

Chelsea — 63 points

Manchester City — 62 points

Arsenal — 59 points

Aston Villa — 58 points

Liverpool — 56 points

Leeds United — 53 points

West Ham United — 53 points

Derby County — 52 points

On the league table, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea were surging ahead, gradually closing the points gap with Manchester United. United’s team, having faltered against City, suddenly felt the pressure as their lead began to shrink.

Every match now carried extra weight. A single slip could change the dynamics at the top of the table. City, in particular, looked sharper, more disciplined, and hungrier, their recent undefeated streak giving them momentum and confidence. Arsenal, meanwhile, combined flair with consistency, while Chelsea clung to the second spot, determined not to fall further behind.

The next League Cup result saw Manchester United defeating Liverpool, which meant that City’s next match would be against Manchester United once again.

Just as Richard thought the calendar had finally given them a breather, they received news of the FA Cup draw—and, to everyone’s disbelief, City were drawn to face Manchester United again.

Richard cursed under his breath at the repeated misfortune. He immediately lodged a complaint with the FA, hoping for some relief or a rescheduling, but the response was clear: the fixture would stand. City would have no choice but to face United yet again.

He sighed, rubbing his temples. "So... let me get this straight," he muttered, "we face Manchester United in the league twice, the League Cup, and now the FA Cup? That’s four matches against the same team this season.

It almost felt deliberate, as if the football gods—or the organizers themselves—had conspired to pit the two rivals against each other at every opportunity. Richard shook his head. "It’s almost like a gauntlet," he said. "The schedule, the competitions... everything stacked the other favor. It’ll be brutal."

What could he do now? Well, better to focus on their own progress for the moment.

The next day, Richard arrived at the training sessions. He already knew that City’s staff had thoroughly studied the CM training system. They were ready not only to show the technical videos they had compiled for the players but also to explain the accompanying tactical charts. On the field, they provided hands-on demonstrations, which excited the young talents—players often requested extra practice and listened eagerly to the coaches’ instructions.

Technical training wasn’t limited to attacking play; defensive skills were equally emphasized. Mourinho had always prioritized team defense at a higher tactical level. Defense was never just about one-on-one duels; it relied on chemistry, positioning, and team awareness. Italy was famous for its chain defense, which depended heavily on collective coordination. As the attacking players improved, the pressure naturally increased on the defensive players, allowing them to refine their skills simultaneously.

This positive feedback loop left Richard feeling satisfied—but also curious about one thing.

"I think it’s about Gennaro... but what about Ronaldinho?" he asked.

Indeed, for today’s session, the focus wasn’t solely on Gattuso. Other players were given tailored attention. Ronaldinho, in particular, was a point of interest. Mourinho was optimistic about his potential, but his weaknesses were already apparent at this age. The Brazilian tended to favor his right foot, so training emphasized balance—developing the left foot not to equal the right, but to make Ronaldinho more versatile and unpredictable in possession.

"There will be daily rotations," Mourinho explained, "to ensure every player receives individualized focus without losing sight of the team’s cohesion."

Richard nodded at this. He also noticed some of the younger players being integrated with the main squad during training.

Joe Cole, for example, had a dominant right foot, but his left-foot skills were exceptional. The coaches instructed him to refine his ball control and taught him practical dribbling and passing techniques that could be applied immediately in matches.

Corrections and guidance like these yielded tangible results. After a period of practicing the new techniques, players began to see real improvements—better decision-making on the ball, sharper movements, and increased confidence.

Trezeguet was another striking example. When they began coaching him in the U-17s, his progress had been rapid. He had previously relied almost entirely on instinct to sniff out opportunities in the penalty area. Now, Mourinho was teaching him subtle movements to create shooting angles within the box. Simple actions—a half-turn to shield the ball, a delicate touch to shift position, or a subtle feint—allowed the striker not only to make better runs but also to become more threatening immediately after receiving the ball.

The players could feel their improvements, and it showed. Their joy, focus, and engagement in training grew exponentially. Mourinho and his staff were equally thrilled—seeing the methodology take shape in real time was deeply rewarding.

Technology amplified this effect. Using Prozone, the coaching staff could track players’ movements, analyze their decision-making patterns, and measure even minor improvements in technique and positioning. Video playback and heat maps allowed players to visualize mistakes and successes, turning abstract coaching points into concrete lessons.

Richard watched as a group of young players huddled around a screen, discussing a sequence of plays. "Look at the positioning here," one of them said, pointing at the replay. "If I move just a step earlier, I can open the lane completely."

"That’s exactly the kind of insight we’re trying to build," he said to himself, nodding.

Training isn’t just about repetition—it’s about understanding the game and making smart choices under pressure.

The combination of technical drills, tactical guidance, and technology was creating a self-reinforcing loop. Players improved faster, their awareness increased, and the team cohesion strengthened. What had begun as a structured system was quickly transforming into a culture: a culture where each player actively sought to understand the game, adapt their skills, and maximize their potential.

The staff often found themselves excited and restless. Together, they had over a years of coaching experience, but they had never instructed so many talented players at once. This filled them with a sense of achievement and anticipation—they were eager to witness these players shine on the field in the future.

This is the mindset of coaches: it’s not always about personal fame or accolades. Of course, winning trophies is an unparalleled achievement, but seeing the players under their guidance gain recognition brings a kind of satisfaction that outsiders cannot comprehend.

As April approached, City began to shift focus toward the FA Cup. If we were to rank the importance of competitions in England, it would go: the league first, then the FA Cup, and finally the League Cup.

Even though hopes remained high in the league standings, Richard always reminded Mourinho to stay undeterred, prioritizing full-strength squads for the cup matches. Rotations were planned based on the opponents, but only after ensuring that the main players had sufficient rest.

Speaking of the silverware competitions, the road to advancing in the League Cup had been relatively smooth so far, same as FA Cup.

As they awaited the semifinal, City had already made a strong statement in the Premiere League. They first overcame Blackburn, demonstrating discipline and composure. Next came a challenging tie against Newcastle United. Following that, they faced Wimbledon and Millwall—matches that City and their opponents both managed to win.

And finally, in the semifinals, they faced yet another powerhouse: Manchester United.

Tension enveloped Manchester once again. Riot police were on high alert, anticipating the heated rivalry that always accompanied such high-stakes matches. Provocative behavior from fans began to surface, flares lit in the stands, chants reverberating around the stadium, adding an extra layer of chaos to an already tense atmosphere.