The Rise of Millwal

Chapter 7: A faux tycoon brandishing pounds.

Numerous young coaches at Ajax are operating under temporary contracts, particularly within the youth teams, making it easy to recruit talent. Most of these young coaches were once identified by Ajax but fell behind during their development, unable to become professional players. However, this does not imply that their tactical acumen and football knowledge are lacking. On the contrary, in a place steeped in footballing heritage like Ajax, even the very grass seems infused with football wisdom.

Jansen reached out to several peers who reside nearby in Amsterdam. A few years prior, when Audrich came here to learn, he forged connections with many, though none compared to the deep bond he shared with his housemate, Jansen.

Under Jansen's persuasion, many were swayed—not only by the substantial increase in remuneration but also by the tantalizing prospect of working with a first team at a reputable club.

While Ajax is a prestigious club in the Netherlands, working with the youth teams does not carry the same prestige as working with the first team; in fact, many face precarious job security amid fierce competition.

Audrich was pressed for time, so he hastily met with these individuals one evening, making promises before flying back to London the following day.

Millwall was in an uproar, with fans gathering outside the club, awaiting a statement from the organization.

The head coach had resigned, and the club had issued a public announcement.

It appeared the team was entering an unprecedented state of turmoil.

However, since the club was taken over by the well-known Hall family, there were no incidents of fan unrest.

Accompanied by Adam, Audrich toured the facilities within the club.

The club's surroundings were quite outdated, with facilities lacking in modernity—similar to those of football clubs decades ago.

The training grounds were rudimentary, seemingly ignoring the players' needs once they finished training. This neglect mirrored the broader state of English football today, where even national team members indulge excessively in drinking, disregarding their athletic longevity.

The Lion's Den Stadium could still be utilized, though it was somewhat smaller than ideal. However, Audrich knew he couldn't achieve everything at once.

Disappointed, he shook his head and said to Adam, "Renovate the training grounds within a month and a half. Additionally, look for modern hotels with adequate facilities near the training camp."

"Hmm? Hotels?"

"Yes, they should have gyms, meeting rooms, swimming pools, saunas, massages, and dining options. Starting from next season, the team will train regularly—outside of the training grounds, we'll conduct activities in the hotel."

"If that's the case, expenses..."

"Before we establish the new training base, we will likely need to rely on such hotels for a considerable time. If renting isn't feasible, we should purchase one. Whether in the name of the club or the Hall family, the expense will come from the club's account."

Land in London is incredibly expensive, and East London is comparatively more affordable, which contributes to its mixed demographic.

Nevertheless, obtaining a hotel in today's climate is by no means exorbitant; it should be attainable within a million pounds. If not pressed for time, Audrich would have preferred to build a hotel himself, or course, had he the time, he would have built the new training facility.

Adam began jotting down Audrich's directives and then asked, "Where's the transfer negotiation team?"

Adam promptly remarked, "They are all on business trips. In accordance with your request, following the player's listing, numerous clubs have expressed interest in a transfer, with some even submitting direct offers."

Audrich nodded and replied solemnly, "Once they finish their tasks, have them seek me out. We're entering a busy period. Furthermore, the club needs several new departments. First, a medical department. Look for sports medicine experts. Second, a nutrition department. The club will be responsible for players' diets while they are here. I need specialists who can provide scientific nutrition—traditional fare like chips, pudding, and fried fish must not appear on the menu."

Adam noted these requirements before asking, "What about the coaching staff and scouts?"

"Leave that to me; I will make the arrangements."

In the days that followed, Audrich met with every member of the club's staff to quickly stabilize the chaotic environment from within, while the transfer department's work concluded for the moment.

Millwall had sold over ten players from its first team, fetching only one hundred eighty thousand pounds in return; this stemmed from both the club's voluntary sales and the generally low market value of players at present.

Three years ago, Crystal Palace's top scorer, Ian Wright, transferred to Arsenal for just two hundred fifty thousand pounds, and even the renowned Sheringham was valued at only half a million pounds three years prior.

As the American World Cup approached, Audrich and Andrew were meticulously sifting through potential players at the club.

It was time for Audrich to delve into the transfer market.

Andrew anxiously looked at Aldrich and said in a low voice, "Aldrich, there are only a few people left in the first team at the club. The outside world has a very dim view of Millwall. Adam has gone to buy a hotel that is currently under renovation. Do you know what the newspapers are saying about you? They claim you are behaving recklessly, saying that the football club has sold off all its players only to buy a hotel, as if you intend to turn Millwall into a vacation paradise?"

Without raising his head, Audrich perused the list on the table, treating Andrew's words as mere background noise, and replied nonchalantly, "Will players come if I target them?"

Andrew shook his head candidly, "Millwall lacks a rich history and is a second-tier team. Given the current turmoil, who would be willing to leap into this inferno?"

"What if I offer players a thousand pounds a week?"

"This figure is certainly considerable."

"How about three thousand?"

"Among the players on this list, fewer than five are worthy of such a wage."

"No, I intend to offer all these players a minimum of three thousand pounds, with a maximum of eight thousand pounds!"

"You've lost your mind! That's the salary of top-tier Premier League stars!"

Andrew looked at Aldrich, who appeared utterly calm, in disbelief, even doubting whether his brother was truly as inept as public opinion had suggested.

Aldrich looked up and candidly said, "I borrowed 30 million pounds from my older brother. 10 million pounds is for transfer fees, and the other 20 million pounds is to guarantee salaries for the club over the next two years. By the third year, if I still haven't delivered good results but the club's income from the first two years is enough to cover the salary for the third year, if I can't lead Millwall to the Premier League in three years, then I'll give up my childhood dream and just become a wealthy slacker living off my family's fortune."

Andrew was left speechless from shock, eventually sighing, "Fine, if you plan on luring these players with high salaries, I suspect no one will refuse. Who would turn down the chance to earn in one year what they'd normally make in ten or twenty?"

Audrich understood well that Millwall was impoverished both in heritage and reputation; its notorious history of football hooliganism did not bode well for attracting players.

However, in this transitional period in football, when the market had yet to recognize the value of star players—less even players themselves were aware of their earning potential—Audrich saw an opportunity for enticing offers.

A starting wage of three thousand pounds per week and a maximum of eight thousand pounds—what does this signify? A player earning three thousand pounds per week would only cost the club less than two hundred thousand pounds annually, and that's pre-tax, so it doesn't touch the club's accounts.

Even at eight thousand pounds per week, the club's annual expenditure would not exceed five hundred thousand pounds.

In 1994, such wages would indeed be astonishing.

Before the Bosman Ruling, how much did top British star Lineker earn weekly?

Five thousand pounds.

Even following the Bosman ruling, what were the weekly wages of Beckham and Keane when Beckham was chosen for the England national team?

not exceed four thousand pounds.

If even the stars were making such modest sums, how wretchedly low would the wages of ordinary players, particularly those yet to make a name for themselves, be?

Among the players Audrich aimed to recruit, many probably wouldn't even see a weekly wage of a hundred pounds!

To put it another way, the simplest consideration for these players when contemplating contracts is the financial gain!

Truly, as Andrew articulated, playing for Millwall for a year means earning what one might typically earn in ten or twenty years!

Though such a description might not hold up well compared to future eras of extravagant football spending, at present, Audrich was indeed prepared to play the role of a faux tycoon, brandishing pounds with flamboyant abandon.

Perhaps some might scoff at or deride Audrich's actions now, but as the era of commercial football quickly advances, particularly with the Premier League leading the charge, the initial beneficiaries will undoubtedly be clubs in England. Audrich certainly would not adhere to the tradition of frugality synonymous with England in this age of perceived "stinginess."