Football Dynasty

Chapter 82: Sacking

Unlike the others, who had swiftly compiled their own release lists, Allensky, the physical coach, had been agonizing over the task ever since Richard issued his directive. Since that day, his life had turned into a nightmare.

He couldn’t shake the constant anxiety. The release list felt like an ominous cloud, casting a shadow over every moment.

Each time he spoke to a player, he saw the desperation in their eyes, their fear of being cast aside.

His relatively young age made him more relatable to the players, and as a result, he had become more of a friend than a coach to them. He often spent time outside of training with them, attending parties and socializing.

"Coach, is the release list real?" one player had asked him, his voice trembling as if trying to read the truth in his face.

Another player, shifting nervously, had asked, "Wait, my name’s not on it, right?"

Allensky had tried his best to reassure them, but his words felt empty. "I can’t say much. You’ll have to wait and see."

But even as he spoke, he could see the strain on their faces. Players were desperately fighting to keep their spots, some going so far as to plead for their place on the team.

They seemed to revert to being 16 or 17-year-olds again, desperately hoping for a chance to secure a spot or a quick promotion. He understood. After all, a footballer’s career doesn’t last forever, and most importantly, they’re paid very well. So, he tried his best to reassure them, but his words felt empty.

"I can’t say much. You’ll have to wait and see."

This was the harsh reality of football.

"Coach, I’ve been here for four years. I love this club—where else would I go?"

Another voice chimed in, "Coach, let’s be honest—anyone who’s desirable to other teams has already left. The rest of us? If we’re not here by choice, it’s because no one else wants us. You know that, don’t you?"

If Richard could hear them, he would sneer. It’s not that no one else wants you, but you don’t want to leave your high salary at City!

Skilled players are hot commodities, but those with mediocre or subpar abilities?

This is where hard work comes into play.

For them, there was nowhere to go but down. They were the ones who couldn’t escape the sinking ship, destined to go down with it.

Allensky also knew this well. It was why he hesitated, especially when he heard the last plea.

it wall began with his own his own interviews.

It all began with his own interviews.

"Coach, you know we’ve had drinks together at the pub..."

"Coach! You know I think of you like a big brother. We’ve spent nights out together, remember that lady—"

"I could move to another club, sure. But what about my wife? This house? She’s pregnant, Coach! We’re expecting a baby!"

"Coach, I’m not that bad, am I? I’ll work harder. You even promised to be my child’s godfather!"

Releasing players was too difficult for someone as kind-hearted as him.

Grinding his teeth, he made a decision.

"Who said you’re being released? Nonsense! None of you are going anywhere! I’ll protect all of you, no matter what!" _{𝓷ℴ𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝒸𝓸𝓶}

So, he planned to launch a protest against the release orders at the next meeting with Richard.

But the blunt truth hit like a slap in the face.

The next internal meeting.

"Alright, the previous meeting didn’t go well for us, but let’s talk amicably, shall we?" he said, his tone casual but firm. "I’ve already got the draft you wrote. I must say, you did a good job. Now, let’s get to the main issue, shall we?"

’Ah, here it is,’ everyone thought the same. After the players, now it’s their turn.

"..."

Richard nodded at them before getting straight to the point. "I assume you both have a guess as to why I’ve called you here."

For a moment, the table was silent.

Alan Ball let out a quiet sigh, his shoulders loosening slightly, but the others remained tense, their irritation evident.

"This is about firing us, isn’t it?" He tugged at his loosened tie, barely masking his frustration.

The room grew heavier as sharp gazes locked onto Richard, silently demanding answers.

Without even waiting for Richard to respond, he scoffed. "So, you’re planning to sack us and bring in new staff? Good luck with that. Post a job listing and see how many applicants you get. We’re the only ones who have stuck with this club, especially after the double relegation.""

Richard gave him a strange look at that statement. "Mr. Ball," he said calmly, "I don’t know how to put this, but... it was under you that City dropped two divisions in a row. Have you forgotten that?"

Silence.

Ball’s expression wavered for a moment before he quickly regained his composure. "So what’s the plan?" he muttered. "Fire all of us at once? Don’t forget about the compensation. And do you really think you can survive a forty-plus-game season without a proper coaching staff? Do you honestly believe your new team can handle everything on their own?"

"Who said anything about firing you?"

"...What?"

The room fell silent, their shock unmistakable.

"I intend to keep all of you."

"?!"

Everyone’s expression brightened at this revelation.

John was the most shocked of them all, but when he saw Richard cast a deep glance at him, he wisely kept his mouth shut.

"Wait, what?" Everyone immediately began murmuring among themselves.

This wasn’t what they had expected.

"Why do you all look so surprised?" Richard smirked. "This meeting isn’t about replacing anyone—it’s about figuring out how we move forward together."

"Is that so? Hahaha," Ball laughed heartily, his easy-going nature on full display. "I have to admit, I was a bit nervous knowing the new owner hadn’t formally met with us yet and had put all transfers on hold with preseason right around the corner."

His laughter was infectious, and soon, the rest of the room followed, the tension from earlier gradually easing.

"However—"

Richard suddenly spoke, cutting through the laughter like a knife. The room fell silent in an instant.

Richard turned toward Miss Heysen and gave a slight nod. "Miss Heysen, if you would."

The senior club secretary nodded in return before placing a document in front of each member of the coaching staff.

A wave of confusion spread through the room as they glanced down at the papers—it was a copy of their contracts.

"From now on, all of our discussions will be based on these contracts," Richard stated plainly.

"..."

The smiles that had filled the room just moments ago disappeared almost instantly.

"These contracts outline your roles as the core coaching staff of this club. In return for the club’s support, you are expected to fulfill your responsibilities accordingly, including abiding by the club’s rules."

The contracts were standard, with only a few unique clauses.

Richard tapped his finger on a specific section before scanning everyone’s faces.

"Section 4, Point 2A, Clause: Disclosing tactical and technical information. Training sessions are off-limits to outsiders, including non-essential staff. It is explicitly stated that coaches must ensure training sessions remain undisturbed by external influences."

Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA): Many coaches and staff members sign confidentiality agreements prohibiting them from disclosing tactical or technical information. Some clubs explicitly state in contracts that coaches must ensure training sessions remain undisturbed by external influences. In some cases, contracts specify who is allowed to attend training sessions and impose strict limitations on media and external guests.

Instinctively, all eyes turned to Alan Ball—the man notorious for bringing his wife to training sessions and flashing his World Cup medal at every opportunity.

Ball’s expression twisted instantly before he scowled. "Why the fuss?" he huffed. "Family support is important for motivation. And let’s be honest, the players would train even harder if they knew a beautiful woman was watching."

An awkward silence fell over the room. A few exchanged glances—some visibly baffled, while others struggled to suppress their reactions. Even Richard was shocked beyond belief.

Seeing the tension in the room, the ever-fussy Allensky tried to lighten the mood. "Hahaha, Sir, no need to get worked up. Don’t you think you’re overreacting—"

Richard raised his hand, cutting him off. "And why do you think it’s your place to step into this conversation, Mr. Allensky?"

Allensky blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Excuse me?"

Richard leaned forward slightly, his fingers tapping against the table. "This discussion is between me, the chairman, and the manager. Why do you feel the need to overstep your boundaries?"

He scoffed, shifting in his seat. "I was just—"

"You were just what?" Richard’s voice remained calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. "Do you even understand your position here? You’re a physical coach, not the manager, not even the head coach. What makes you think you can interrupt like that?"

There’s a reason people or the media write things like "Mourinho’s team" or "Staff under Pep Guardiola."

A manager is a general, and the coaches are their officers.

This hierarchy is clear and rigid.

It’s the same with the manager and head coach. Even though their titles may sound similar, their roles are different.

A head coach oversees the players, their training, and tactical instructions—that’s it. Though later, the role of head coach started to blur with the assistant manager’s role.

A manager, on the other hand, is the complete package. They manage the squad, influence transfers and contracts, and even participate in broader club policies.

Now, back to Allensky—what is his role? Physical coach. To speak out in a situation like this? That’s not just bold—it’s reckless."

Allensky eyes flared with anger for a moment, but Richard was quicker.

"Second, the code of conduct. Avoiding excessive personal relationships, no business dealings between players and coaches, and always maintaining professionalism in communication while avoiding inappropriate interactions. Mr. Allensky." Richard paused before looking at him deeply.

"I understand the importance of a physical coach. That’s why every club has one or two. But there are rules to maintain professionalism, discipline, and avoid favoritism. However, I’ve heard you might be too close to the players."

Allensky’s expression changed instantly. He didn’t even get a chance to start the fight, yet he was already being beaten instead.

For a professional club, this could indeed create potential issues. That’s why professional distance is required to ensure staff do not become too involved in the players’ personal lives.

There are two glaring issues that Richard raised regarding how Alan Ball managed his staff. They have already violated the training secrecy and also the Code of Conduct policies

"And also, Mr. Allensky, you’re the only one who didn’t submit the draft? May I ask why?"

Everyone was taken aback, and they instinctively looked toward Allensky.

The other party’s face turned beet red. With a heavy breath, he countered, "Unilateral decisions to release players—"

"Enough with the excuses," Richard cut him off. "There are plenty of players still unemployed outside, more skilled than those players who embarrassingly dropped the league twice in a row! They work out day and night just to stay fit, hoping to catch the attention of agents or clubs."

"..."

"You’re scared of being hated, of being resented by the players you’ve been so kind to. You’re afraid of them turning against you, of never being able to face them again. You just want to be the ’good guy.’"

The words hit like a slap.

Seeing that he was unable to utter a single word, Richard shook his head.

Firing a manager and their staff was always a complex and often brutal process, involving multiple steps—from behind-the-scenes evaluations to the official termination. But this time, it was even more ruthless.

Richard wasn’t just letting go of one man; he was planning to clear out the entire department.

"Mr. Allan Ball, I suppose this is the end, isn’t it? Your performance over the past two seasons has been abysmal, to say the least. The only reason you’ve managed to stay this long is because you were riding on the goodwill of the previous chairman."

A heavy silence filled the room. Everyone’s chest tightened—but then, almost instinctively, they let it go. After all, there was still a severance package waiting for them.

"However!" Richard’s voice suddenly cut through the air, sharp as a blade. His gaze swept across the room, cold and calculating.

"Mr. Allan Ball," he continued, his tone deadly serious. "For two consecutive years, you have violated club policy by disclosing tactical and technical information. Do you take the club’s rules as a joke? You and your team?"

"..."

The accusations were heavy.

"Secondly," Richard’s voice remained firm, "Mr. Allensky, you violated the team’s code of conduct, directly contributing to the decline in team performance, and now you are also refusing instructions to take the club to a better—"

"What? That’s slander—"

Richard raised a hand, cutting him off. He let the silence hang, scanning the room, ensuring his words carried their full weight before turned to their current head instead, the manager.

"So, Mr. Ball," Richard’s lips curled slightly, "I will be lenient. Before I take this to court and the FA, let’s settle this amicably, shall we?"

He leaned forward slightly, "I’m willing to let you go quietly. Instead of the full severance package, you’ll receive just 10% of what the club would have owed you. Consider it my good graces... while you still have the option to walk away."

"Ten?!This is tyran—"

"And I heard—" Richard cut in once again, turning toward the tactical coach, Robbie McGinn, before dropping a bombshell. "One of your staff were very close to the previous coach, Barry Bennell?"

McGinn’s expression changed drastically.

Barry Bennell, the former coach of Manchester City during the tenure of previous chairmen Eric Alexander and Swales, had attended the same college as Coach McGinn—Ilford College. In fact, it was no secret that McGinn had joined City on Bennell’s recommendation to Chairman Lee before Bennell accepted the Newcastle job.

Richard’s thoughts trailed off, his gaze locking onto McGinn. The sudden change in the man’s expression told him everything he needed to know.

’Your silence says it all.’

It’s no secret that Crewe Alexandra and Manchester City have been entangled in a sexual abuse scandal involving the abuse of young players, and this has even been widely reported on TV and in newspapers everywhere, thanks to Richard.

"So, Mr. Ball, your third sin against this club is allowing an offender—"

"I am not—" McGinn countered.

"And yet you remain silent. I can see it on your face," Richard cut him off with disgust, his sharp words making McGinn’s expression darken further.

Everyone in the room was confused about what they were talking about.

Since the FA had only just begun its investigation into Crewe Alexandra, nothing had been fully exposed regarding Manchester City yet, leaving many unaware of the full extent of the situation. So, Richard decided to tell them what he knew.

He began revealing Barry Bennell’s involvement—a name everyone in the room recognized. They all knew him, though not as closely as McGinn.

The effect was instantaneous.

A shift in the atmosphere was almost palpable as everyone turned to look at McGinn in a new light. Some even instinctively took a step back, subtly distancing themselves. McGinn twitched at the reaction.

"As I said, I had nothing to do with Bennell—"

"But Mr. McGinn, that’s very strange," Richard cut him off, his gaze turning cold. "You’re not denying what happened. Instead, you’re just insisting that you weren’t involved... which means—"

He leaned in, his voice sharp. "You knew about it, didn’t you?"

A wave of realization washed over the room.

Richard knew this case well—it hadn’t just shaken England but all of European football. The investigation had dragged on for two years. It was so infamous that everyone talked about it, to the point that even ghosts would know.

In fact, this case would only be fully exposed in 2016. While the initial investigation took place in the 1990s, a lack of evidence led to the case being closed, allowing a sex offender to roam freely for the next twenty years.

However, the current FA has already identified several names: Newcastle coach Barry Bennell, George Ormond, Chelsea scout Eddie Heath, and current Burnley coach Bob Higgins.

Twenty years!

Just how many more victims had suffered during that time?

If he hadn’t bought Manchester City, the Lee Consortium would have done everything in its power to suppress the case, keeping it from the public eye. The same went for everyone else—people knew, yet they chose to stay silent.

The more Richard thought about this, the more he couldn’t contain his disgust.

"So, Mr. Ball... let me repeat this." Richard fixed his gaze on him. "This is your third and final sin, and I won’t say it again. Let’s part ways peacefully—no talking to the media, no back-and-forth attacks. Just hand over your resignation letter, shall we?"

Ball was taken aback. "What? Wait—you said earlier there would be 10%—"

If this had only been about the NDA clause and conduct violations, they might have salvaged something. But with McGinn’s involvement now exposed, no club would dare hire them again. They had no choice but to concede.

"Too late," Richard cut him off coldly. "I’ve changed my mind. Either take it or leave it. My ammunition is greater and far more damaging than yours. So, do you really want to test me?"

With that, Richard managed to save about £2 million—money he could now use to terminate staff in other departments, especially in scouting.

It was time for a cleanup!