Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
George Wood’s value of
two trillion
was only a way to indicate that Wood was not for sale. While Wood himself may never be able to reach such a status in his lifetime, it clarified his current position in the team from another angle. Chelsea’s reported offer of ten million for the rookie player caused some to see an opportunity for profit.
Before George Wood became famous, other than the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) kindly asking him if he needed them to represent him for a variety of his contractual discussions, no other professional agent had approached him. With the world soccer scene constantly producing innumerable new professional footballers, there would not be enough agents to go around if every player was approached.
There was only a total of 170 professional football agents in England. In Europe, this was already the highest number of agents. Even so, not every professional player had an agent; that included George Wood. When Wood first signed on with Forest, there were no negotiations involved. He had also known nothing about the standard procedure. The club gave him a contract that he read through. He felt satisfied with it, and so he signed it.
It was that simple. Making use of Wood’s ignorance, Forest team successfully got him to sign a contract that seemed extraordinarily worthwhile in hindsight.
It was not that Tang En had never considered finding an agent to take care of George Wood, help him manage his finances, and earn more money; but getting an agent was a double-edged sword. There were both pros and cons.
If the rules had permitted managers to also be players’ agents, Tang En believed that 99 percent of the world’s managers would fight tooth and nail to become exactly that for their players. This would give the managers a firm hold over them; something that every manager wished for. In this manner, they would not be bothered by the problems that came with signing contracts, renewing contracts, or raising salaries.
Unfortunately, that was not allowed.
Tang En hoped George Wood would be able to find an outstanding agent; one who did not simply excel at his work but was of an even greater character. Someone who would not quarrel with Tang En every two or three days to make presumptuous demands or make threats of Wood’s transferral in demanding for a higher salary.
But such an agent was as rare as a world heritage.
Several footballers who became famous when they were young all but wasted their talents between frequent transfers and running counter to their clubs. And that was simply because they could not find a good agent. Such players were not in the minority; an example was the former forward for the France National Team, Nicolas Anelka, who was once hailed as a
child prodigy.
Tang En did not wish for George Wood to get involved with such agents. Unfortunately, in Tang En’s position as Forest’s manager, he had no right to help his players choose their agent. That would incur unnecessary trouble and jealous speculations. Whenever it involved a conflict of interests, the manager needed to stay away from it.
He knew that more and more people had approached Wood in hopes of becoming his agent. Just like flies which had spotted a butter cake, they were clamoring around Wood, buzzing.
Perhaps he should give Wood some suggestions… It was not against the rules for the manager to give some suggestions, right?
※※※
After training ended with the players having showered and changed in the locker room, everyone got ready to return home. The leaving players saw Tang En standing outside the locker room and thought it a little strange, but still greeted and said their goodbyes to him. Tang En responded to them but made no move to stop and speak to anyone; clearly, it was not them he was waiting for.
George Wood was the last person to emerge from the locker room; he had been the last to enter. After he exited, Tang En called out to him,
George, have you met with any trouble recently?
Wood shook his head, thinking it was odd for Tang En to ask such a question.
Uh, I mean, have there recently been lots of people calling themselves agents looking for you?
This time, Wood nodded.
Yes. But not a lot.
Tang En did not know if Wood’s and his idea of
many
were the same, but that was not the issue at hand. He gently nodded and continued.
What do you think about it? What do you think of those agents?
I don’t know. They told me many things, but I have no interest in them.
What are you interested in?
Playing soccer.
Tang En laughed. It seemed like this lad had become fond of the game. Even so, Tang En needed to correct Wood’s archaic view of the world.
No, no. That won’t do,
he said.
It’s not enough for a professional player to just play soccer. You still need to do many other things. I don’t mind if you become a big star, if you choose to represent any number of international brands, or if you can earn even more money in a year. That is all what you deserve.
Isn’t the duty of a professional footballer to play football?
Wood asked.
Of course; their job is to play football, but that’s only one part of it. You’re a star now, George. You can’t just play soccer… let’s put it this way, when do you think you can play soccer until?
Wood thought about it and shook his head.
I don’t know.
Okay. In general, it’s normal for a player to play until they are 34 before retiring. But I think you can kick till you’re 40.
Tang En laughed. If Matthäus could do it, surely George Wood was not that far off?
If you only think about playing soccer before your retirement at 40 and care about nothing else, the money you could earn would be limited. And what about your retirement after that? What will you be living on? Your mother has no source of income, and at that point, you’ll have to provide for your wife and children… Do you understand what I’m saying?
Wood understood. Tony was telling him that once he retired, he would not have any source of income. Just depending on his savings from playing soccer these years, he not only had to provide for his mother, but he was also likely to have his own family by that time… In that case, how could he guarantee the comfort of his family?
So, you should still consider getting a trustworthy manager and employing him to help you manage your finances and earn more money. That way, you won’t have to worry about all those problems even after you retire.
Tang En said, revealing his aim for their talk.
Wood nodded upon hearing his words.
I’ll think about it.
Tang En clapped his hands in satisfaction.
Go on home, don’t let your mum wait for too long.
As he watched Wood walk away, Tang En breathed a sigh of relief. What was now left was to see the kind of agent Wood would find in the end… hopefully, the situation would not be too terrible.
※※※
The condominium that Wood and his mother, Sophia, currently resided in was located just North of the Wilford Training Grounds. Wood only needed 20 minutes to return home from the training area, but he would rarely walk. He usually ran like a warm-up before a match, jogging throughout.
When he arrived at the front door of his house today, he found someone standing there. The door was opened, and his mother stood outside discussing something with the man. She waved to Wood in a hurry when he appeared. The man also turned to look over.
It was someone dressed meticulously. He seemed familiar. The man hastily greeted Wood when he saw him.
Hello, Wood.
Immediately after hearing his voice, Wood recalled the man in question. This was the enthusiastic agent for artists that he had met when he accompanied his mother out to shop. Was he looking for Wood to join the entertainment circle again?
I’m not interested in the entertainment industry.
Before the man even said a thing, he shook his head in rejection.
Unexpectedly, the man did not seem disappointed to hear the refusal from Wood. Instead, he smiled in response and said,
I think you’re mistaken. First, allow me to re-introduce myself. I am Billy Woox, a professional football agent. I have just received certification from The English Football Association Committee. I’m not here today to ask you to join the entertainment circle. Rather, I hope to become your football agent and your legal representative in managing your contracts and business matters.
Wood was stumped for a moment upon hearing him speak. He’d had a change of identity?
After his self-introduction, Billy Woox turned to smile at Sophia.
Madam, could we discuss more in the house? As you know, it’s winter now and the weather outside is truly…
Sophia did not immediately answer but looked to her son. All the other agents had contacted him via phone. This one had come knocking on the door personally; perhaps he should speak to him. He nodded.
Please enter, Mr. Woox.
Sophia opened the door to let them both in.
When Billy Woox, the gentleman-like man, stepped into the house, he covertly but thoroughly examined its décor. While being extremely simple, it was not crude. Other than the daily necessities, there were few decorations or luxury goods. Before coming, he had specially analyzed Wood’s income at Forest team. 2,500 pounds per week and that was before taxes. That salary could not be considered high at all…
Even though Forest Team took responsibility for the treatment of Wood’s mother, and they had no need to spend his salary on surgeries, the female owner of this house was clearly used to their days in poverty and was very thrifty.
After understanding the situation, Woox knew in his heart what he needed to say.
