Ethan stepped onto the training pitch alongside his coaching staff. The team had two new additions: Danny King, a seasoned goalkeeper coach, and Haruko Sakuragi, a Japanese team doctor whose swift agreement to join left Ethan's prepared persuasion speech completely unnecessary.
For now, the five-member coaching team was set. Still, Ethan envisioned expanding the staff — a tactical analyst, an opposition scout, and a head of recruitment would round out the setup perfectly.
As the players noticed the coaches assembling, they quickly gathered into a semi-circle, standing at attention. The coaches formed a line in the center, and Ethan took a moment to observe his squad. His heart raced with excitement — this was his first senior team as head coach. The journey ahead felt like the first step of a long campaign, and next season would define his career.
If not for his "Wisdom Eyes" ability being limited to one use per day, he'd have immediately scanned every player to assess their strengths. For now, he'd rely on observation during training and matches.
Ethan wasn't the only one observing. The players sized up their new boss. He was undeniably good-looking, but their expressions showed disappointment. At only 27 — younger than captain Kevin Keane — he looked more like a teammate than a manager. Winning their respect would be a challenge.
"People say we're going down this season." Ethan's first words cut through the murmurs, leaving the squad silent. Even Keane, who seemed ready to speak, held his tongue.
John Aston, one of the assistant coaches, studied Ethan closely. He admired the man. The detailed training plans Ethan crafted showed a deep tactical understanding inspired by some of football's greatest minds. Yet, Aston knew Ethan lacked a professional playing career — he was an academic coach, a tactician from the classroom rather than the pitch.
Many academic coaches impressed on paper, but success on the field demanded more than strategy. Players needed belief. A manager had to inspire, motivate, and unite. Ethan's ideas were impressive, but execution relied on the squad's willingness to fight for him.
A great coach is part strategist, part leader. As the saying goes, "A pack of lions led by a sheep will lose to a pack of sheep led by a lion." Ethan needed to prove he was the lion.
He scanned the faces before him — most looked doubtful, even defeated. He spoke again.
"Yes," Ethan continued, his voice steady. "I think so too."
The players' heads shot up, eyes burning with disbelief and anger. This young, untested manager dared to look down on them?
Ethan smiled inwardly. Good. Now he had their attention.
"Before seeing your angry faces, I figured as much," Ethan spread his hands and said, "Looks like none of you are ready to accept relegation."
Well, obviously — who wants to drop into a non-professional league?
"Since we share the same goal, we start working hard today. We've been docked 30 points. Normally, a team needs around 78 points to avoid relegation. That's 46 games, 78 points! In past seasons, second-division teams aiming for promotion usually hit 80 points — that's top-of-the-table form. So forget about fighting to avoid relegation — we're fighting for promotion! Only by playing at a promotion-level standard can we ensure survival."
Ethan paused, letting his words sink in.
"From today, it's a fresh start for everyone. I don't care who were the starters, the substitutes, or the youth players last season — that's all history! The only thing that matters now is your attitude. Attitude in training, attitude in matches — attitude determines everything! Whoever trains the hardest and performs best will play. That's my only rule. If anyone slacks off, the bench is waiting — and I won't hesitate to pull players from the reserves if I have to."
Most of Luton's remaining players were youth team promotions, and they'd never been regular starters before. Hearing the coach's words fired them up — this was their shot to claim a first-team spot through sheer hard work.
Sam Parker, however, smirked to himself, unconvinced.
"This squad has no experienced strikers anyway," he thought. "He'll have to use me, Sam Parker, whether he likes it or not. Let's see him bench me."
The other players mulled over Ethan's logic. Sure, clawing back from a 30-point deduction sounded daunting — but targeting 80 points and survival through promotion-level play? That sounded better than focusing on the deficit.
After giving them a moment to digest his words, Ethan continued.
"The pre-season training plan is set. First up: medical assessments. Let me be clear — if you're not fit enough to surpass last season's physical standards, you won't join team training!"
The players who'd indulged over the break wore bitter expressions. But one look at Ethan's no-nonsense face told them this wasn't up for debate.
When they entered the team's Sports Rehabilitation Center, now run by the new team doctor Haruko Sakuragi, their mood shifted.
Haruko, with her youthful face and eye-catching figure, instantly became a source of motivation for the testosterone-fueled squad.
Pre-season started with intense physical conditioning — no surprise. Ethan's tactical vision demanded peak fitness.
He wasn't here to play it safe. He wanted to replicate the relentless, counter-attacking style of Ranieri's Leicester City — the team that shocked the Premier League.
Kanté, Drinkwater, Vardy — that spine carried Leicester to glory. Now, Ethan believed Luton had its own versions of those players.
His heart raced with anticipation. He couldn't wait to get this team firing on all cylinders and storm the league.