In a modest meeting room within the team's office building, Ethan met his new assistant at Luton Town FC.
Unlike many European leagues, English football clubs often skip the roles of team manager or technical director, leaving the head coach as the primary authority beneath the owner. At Luton, aside from owner David Morton, Ethan now held the reins as the most powerful figure on the football side.
"This is Mr. Ethan from China. Starting today, he will serve as our head coach," David Morton announced confidently.
The room of coaches and staff studied Ethan with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
Luton, a small town near London, isn't exactly a tourist hotspot for visitors from China, who typically flock to landmarks like Big Ben or cities like Manchester and Liverpool. A Chinese head coach arriving at a struggling lower-league English club? That was unprecedented.
Ethan cut a striking figure — black suit trousers, polished black leather shoes, and a long, unbuttoned black trench coat. His sharp facial features, thick eyebrows, and calm yet piercing gaze contrasted with his friendly smile. At just 27 years old, he looked more like a rising star on the touchline than an inexperienced outsider.
A young Chinese head coach at Luton was sure to stir interest from both local and national media. But could a Chinese manager truly understand the tactical and physical demands of English football? The room's curiosity shifted into quiet skepticism.
"Mr. Ethan previously coached Chelsea's U18 squad, leading them to victory in the FA Youth Cup. He also holds a UEFA A-License coaching badge," David Morton continued, his tone steady.
Surprise flickered across the faces in the room. Coaching Chelsea's U18s — a proven academy powerhouse — and winning a prestigious youth title wasn't a small feat. Respect stirred among the staff, though the UEFA A-License didn't carry as much weight in the hard-nosed, lower leagues, where pragmatism often overshadowed credentials.
David then introduced the remaining staff. Luton's previous head coach and much of the backroom team had departed during the club's ongoing crisis. Only two first-team coaches remained.
John Aston, a club legend and former head of Luton's youth academy, had stepped in as caretaker manager. He now returned to his assistant role without complaint — he knew his limitations. Asking him to guide Luton through League Two was a losing battle. He stayed out of loyalty, not ambition, and greeted Ethan with a sincere smile.
Beside him was Mel Donald, the long-serving fitness coach, a fixture at the club for over two decades. He too stayed through the turmoil, his commitment unwavering.
The rest were youth coaches. Despite the first team's struggles, Luton's academy remained a beacon of stability. English football's youth development structure runs deep, even at lower-league clubs. Luton maintained squads from U8 to U18, each with a dedicated coach. Like many clubs, they operated a broad scouting network at younger levels, focusing on elite training from U15 onwards — where resources and coaching intensified.
With only a dozen academy coaches overseeing multiple age groups, the setup wasn't glamorous, but it functioned. Alongside them were the ground staff, scouts, and operational personnel who kept the club afloat.
Ethan took his time, shaking hands and exchanging greetings with each colleague, projecting warmth and respect. He understood that winning over his team off the pitch was just as crucial as winning on it.
The meeting ended on a hopeful note. First impressions matter, and Ethan's blend of confidence, friendliness, and proven credentials left the room with something Luton hadn't felt in a while — cautious optimism.
With the season over and the players having departed for their vacations, Ethan now has no opportunity to meet with his team.
However, a quiet stadium doesn't mean his work stops.
This afternoon, after settling into his office, Ethan dove straight into his duties — the first task being to assess Luton's current state. When John Aston handed him the updated roster, Ethan quickly realized the team's situation was worse than expected.
At present, only three players on the squad are over 21 years old.
The team's captain, 32-year-old Kevin Keane, remains a cornerstone in the midfield — a seasoned player with the skill and experience to hold his own even in the Championship. Despite his age and the attention from other clubs, Kevin chose loyalty, staying with Luton through their hardships.
Next is Sam Parker, a 27-year-old forward who served as a backup last season. John Aston doubts he'll stay, not because of his ability, but due to the serious injury he suffered last year. For now, he remains with the squad — not by choice, but because he's still in recovery.
The third senior player is George Parker, a 26-year-old center-back and product of the team's youth academy. Solid and reliable, George may not be a star, but he's more than capable of holding the line in League Two.
Beyond these three, the rest of the squad consists entirely of youth players under 21 — many with no professional experience.
The reality is harsh: last season's League One squad has essentially dissolved, leaving only the youth academy to fill the gaps. Fielding an entire lineup of inexperienced players would be a challenge even without the 30-point deduction they're facing. Survival in League Two, let alone climbing back up, now seems like an uphill battle.
Ethan sighed, rubbing his temples. The situation was grimmer than he imagined.