Starting With Real Madrid

In his past work at large corporations, Gao Shen often encountered a peculiar phenomenon: companies laying off employees while simultaneously hiring new ones.

It sounded contradictory, but it was actually very common. Many companies even used polished phrases like "optimizing human resource allocation" or "improving workforce structure." The jargon made it sound strategic, almost noble.

Initially, Gao Shen had believed it too.

But as his career advanced and he gained more insight into the inner workings of management, he came to understand the truth.

Ultimately, it boiled down to a cost-benefit calculation.

The employees who were let go were typically older, seasoned workers who had been with the company for a while. They had decent salaries but lacked efficiency and enthusiasm. Most were in their mid-to-late 30s, an age where their careers had plateaued, and they weren't as flexible or dynamic anymore.

Meanwhile, the new hires were usually fresh graduates—young, eager, and willing to hustle. They were unpolished but full of energy, ready to pull all-nighters without complaint, and came with much lower salary expectations.

This constant rotation didn't necessarily impact the company's performance, but it did save a significant amount in payroll costs.

---

Sitting on the flight from Beijing to Italy, Gao Shen thought about this practice. His eyes were closed, but his mind was turning.

He realized that Napoli was on the verge of adopting a similar approach.

In simple terms, De Laurentiis and Marino were likely planning to sell off a few valuable players to cash in, then bring in younger, cheaper talent. They would aim to maintain a competitive level in Serie A, particularly to secure Champions League qualification, while lowering overall expenses.

This strategy—buy low, sell high—would allow Napoli to profit from transfer fees and reduce wages and bonuses.

However, Gao Shen knew this wouldn't sit well with the fans. Many would criticize Napoli for lacking ambition, for prioritizing finances over trophies.

But the reality was harsh. Maintaining a high-performing team year after year required an immense financial commitment—something De Laurentiis couldn't sustain indefinitely.

Gao Shen had once read a report about Abramovich's investment in Chelsea. By 2020, Abramovich had spent over 2 billion euros in the transfer market, with a net investment exceeding 1 billion euros.

And that didn't even account for the staggering sums spent on player salaries, bonuses, or upgrading facilities. While those numbers didn't make as many headlines as transfer fees, they were just as substantial.

Despite all that investment, Chelsea's success was hard-earned and came with no guarantees.

So, from the moment Gao Shen took charge at Napoli, he had understood the club's limitations.

Napoli wasn't destined to be a perennial title contender.

De Laurentiis and Marino's ambitions were clear: they wanted Napoli to be a consistent force in Serie A—a team that could regularly qualify for the Champions League.

Winning the title? That was left to chance.

Last season, Gao Shen had defied expectations, achieving far more than De Laurentiis or Marino had dared to hope. But now, Gao Shen could see what was coming next.

This understanding was also why he had delayed renewing his contract.

He was waiting.

So far, De Laurentiis and Marino had treated him with respect and trust. But he knew it was time for an honest conversation.

---

"Give me one more year."

The moment Gao Shen arrived at Napoli, he went straight to the club's headquarters at the San Paolo Stadium. He didn't even stop at home.

De Laurentiis and Marino were already waiting for him.

And those were the first words out of Gao Shen's mouth.

It was a direct, open proposal. Gao Shen believed that transparency was crucial, there was no point in playing games or avoiding the inevitable.

De Laurentiis and Marino exchanged a glance. They hadn't expected Gao Shen to be so upfront, but in a way, it was a relief.

Once everyone laid their cards on the table, it would be easier to reach an agreement.

"Gao, to be honest," De Laurentiis began, "I had Pierpaolo run some preliminary numbers. If we renew everyone's contracts, the financial pressure on the club will be immense."

His message was clear: he wanted to sell players.

Napoli's rapid rise had created a financial gap. The team's performance on the pitch had outpaced its revenue growth, and the shortfall needed to be addressed—likely by selling off key players.

"I understand," Gao Shen replied calmly. "But De Lao, let me ask you—are you really willing to do that?"

Both De Laurentiis and Marino were taken aback.

"What do you mean?" De Laurentiis asked.

"I'll be frank," Gao Shen said. "With the current strength of this team, we have a real chance to get out of the Champions League group stage and into the knockout rounds. That alone would bring in at least 20 to 30 million euros in revenue. It would significantly improve the club's finances and increase the market value of our players even further."

De Laurentiis hesitated. "Gao, that's the ideal scenario. But what if it doesn't happen? What if we don't qualify from the group stage? You know we'll be placed in the group of death. Do you really think we'll make it out?"

Marino chimed in. "Gao, De Laurentiis has been discussing this with me for weeks. We want the team to perform well in the Champions League, but we're considering selling just one or two players to ease the financial burden. We'd still reinvest some of that money into the squad, and you'd have full control over who to bring in. We trust your judgment completely."

It was a reasonable compromise.

But Gao Shen shook his head. "I don't have time to rebuild the team right now. Integrating new players takes time, and this group—this squad—is the result of two years of careful work. I can't replace that overnight."

He leaned forward, his tone firm. "Believe me. Give me one more year, and I'll get us into the Champions League knockout stage."

De Laurentiis and Marino exchanged another glance.

Gao Shen's meaning was clear: this would be his final season at Napoli.

He wanted one last chance to make an impact in Europe before moving on.

If De Laurentiis wanted to sell players, he could do so next summer. But for now, Gao Shen wanted to keep the team intact.

---

The room fell silent for several minutes.

Gao Shen waited patiently, his expression calm. Across the table, De Laurentiis sat deep in thought, calculating the risks and rewards.

Finally, the Napoli owner let out a heavy sigh.

"Gao," he said slowly, "everyone in Naples is grateful for what you've done for this club. You're already the greatest coach in our history. And someday, we'll build a statue of you next to Maradona's in the heart of the city."

De Laurentiis paused, taking a deep breath.

"I'm not saying I don't believe in you. But you have to understand—I'm not Abramovich. I can't afford to gamble with this much money."

Marino tensed, fearing that De Laurentiis was about to refuse Gao Shen's proposal.

But then, De Laurentiis looked up, his eyes resolute.

"So… Gao, I'll give you one more season!"

Marino nearly gasped in relief.

De Laurentiis continued, "Two years ago, you told me you'd make Napoli a Serie A powerhouse within three years. You kept that promise. Now you're saying we can reach the Champions League knockout stage, and I believe you."

He gritted his teeth. "I'll move forward with the contract renewals. I'll find the money somehow. You focus on leading the team."

Gao Shen felt the weight of De Laurentiis' trust.

He nodded firmly. "I fulfilled my promise two years ago, and I'll fulfill it again now."

De Laurentiis smiled faintly. "I've never doubted you."

He turned to Marino. "Make sure everything runs smoothly. No distractions."

Marino nodded immediately. "I'll handle all the logistics personally. The team won't have any concerns off the pitch."

Gao Shen couldn't help but smile. He was ready.

The upcoming season would be his first Champions League campaign since leaving Real Madrid.

And this time, he would prove to the world that his success wasn't because of the club he coached—it was because of who he was.

Because his name was Gao Shen.

***

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