Reborn in Football to Build Top Clubs from English League Two

200: The birth and official announcement of the ”Gamebreaker”Inside the tactical analysis room at the Phoenix Training Center, a giant holographic screen glowed blue. Lin Feng stood in front of the screen, his eyes intently fixed on Everton’s formation diagram.

On the system interface, the [Future Tactics Library] module was slowly unlocking. The golden progress bar gradually filled, eventually displaying a brand new tactical module—[Breaking the Diamond Midfield: Wing Overload and Half-Space Infiltration].

”It’s finally here,” Lin Feng murmured, a smile playing on his lips as he stroked his chin.

The tactical diagram slowly unfolded on the screen. The solution for breaking Everton’s diamond midfield, every arrow pointed to the most critical weaknesses. The full-backs’ overlapping routes, the timing of the midfielders’ infiltrations, and even specific plans to restrict Arteta and Cahill.

Lin Feng immediately called Old John.

”John, gather all the players on the training ground immediately. We have new tactics to practice.”

Thirty minutes later, all of Hartlepool United’s players gathered on the training ground. The autumn sun shone on the green pitch, and concentration was etched on everyone’s face.

”Gentlemen, tomorrow we face Everton,” Lin Feng said, his voice clear and strong, as he stood in front of the tactics board. ”Moyes will use his favored diamond midfield against us.”

Vardy raised his hand to ask, ”Boss, how should we respond?”

Lin Feng drew a few lines on the tactics board: ”Wing overload. Simpson and Robson, you need to push forward boldly and create numerical superiority on the wings.”

”But that will expose our defense,” Smalling said with some concern.

”That’s exactly what we want,” Lin Feng’s eyes sparkled with confidence. ”When Everton sees our full-backs pushing up, they will instinctively want to counter-attack. And that is our trap.”

Old John diligently recorded every detail. The complexity of this tactical system exceeded his imagination, but every one of Lin Feng’s arrangements had a deep underlying logic.

”Henderson,” Lin Feng turned to the young midfield maestro. ”You have a special task.”

”What task, Boss?”

”Mark Arteta,” Lin Feng’s tone became serious. ”Just like against Fabregas last season, stick to him like glue. If necessary, you can foul him to disrupt his rhythm.”

Henderson nodded vigorously: ”Understood!”

”Smalling, Shawcross,” Lin Feng looked at the two center-backs. ”Cahill’s late runs from deep are Everton’s biggest threat. You must constantly pay attention to his movement and absolutely not allow him to get a header opportunity in the box.”

Training began. The players, following Lin Feng’s instructions, practiced the new tactics repeatedly. The timing of the full-backs’ overlaps, the midfielders’ support runs—every detail had to be perfect.

De Bruyne and Coutinho played key roles in this tactical system. They had to create threats in the half-spaces, using their speed and skill to tear apart the opponent’s defense.

”Remember, when the full-backs push up, you must immediately move into the half-spaces,” Lin Feng personally demonstrated the running routes. ”This is Everton’s weakest defensive link.”

The training lasted for a full three hours. When the final drill ended, every player was drenched in sweat, but their eyes gleamed with excitement.

While the team was training hard, the club’s commercial department was executing a secret plan.

Richard Arnold sat in the conference room, thick contract documents laid out before him. Representatives from the Samsung Group participated in the meeting via video call, and excitement was visible on everyone’s faces.

”Let’s confirm the final terms,” Richard turned to the last page of the contract. ”A ten-year term, with a total value of eighty million pounds for stadium naming rights.”

”That’s right,” the Samsung representative confirmed with a nod. ”Starting next year when the new stadium opens, it will be named ’Samsung Northern Dragon Arena.’”

”Additionally, it includes a series of strategic cooperation projects such as youth training collaboration and technical support,” Richard added, detailing the specifics.

The value of this contract far exceeded everyone’s imagination. A Championship club was able to secure such a massive commercial sponsorship.

”When does Mr. Lin want the announcement to be made?” the Samsung representative inquired.

Richard checked his watch: ”Tomorrow morning at ten o’clock, on the day of the match against Everton.”

The conference room fell silent. Everyone understood the deeper meaning behind the timing of this choice.

Meanwhile, press officer Ben Carter was preparing for an unprecedented press conference. The press conference hall at Victoria Park had been redecorated, with a giant LED screen and professional lighting equipment, all in preparation for tomorrow’s ”Official Announcement Ceremony.”

”This will be the most significant commercial press conference in Championship history,” Ben Carter emphasized every detail to his assistants. ”Media from all over the world will be watching us.”

The news quietly leaked that evening. Rumors about Hartlepool United’s major commercial partnership began to appear on social media. Although specific details had not yet been announced, it had already attracted significant attention.

Far away at Goodison Park in Liverpool, Everton’s training had just concluded. Moyes sat in his office, watching the news reports on his computer screen, his expression growing darker.

”Eighty million pounds?” He shook his head in disbelief. ”A Championship team?”

His assistant coach walked into the office: ”David, will this affect tomorrow’s match?”

Moyes sprang to his feet: ”They think they can scare us with money? Ridiculous!”

He strode quickly to the training ground, where the players were conducting their final recovery session. Seeing the manager’s grim face, everyone stopped what they were doing.

”Listen, lads!” Moyes’s voice echoed across the training ground. ”Tomorrow’s opponents think they can buy victory with money! They are wrong!”

Tim Cahill stepped forward: ”Coach, what happened?”

”They signed an eighty million pound sponsorship deal and want to flaunt their wealth before the match,” Moyes’s fists clenched. ”But at Goodison Park, only football reigns supreme!”

Phil Neville sneered: ”A bunch of upstarts. Tomorrow, we’ll show them what real Premier League quality looks like.”

”Forget their money and new stadium!” Moyes roared at all the players. ”On our turf, we’ll shut them up with football!”

The players were infected by the manager’s anger, and fighting spirit burned in everyone’s eyes.

The next morning, Hartlepool United’s official announcement ceremony took place as scheduled. The press conference hall at Victoria Park was packed, with journalists from all over the world filling every corner.

Lin Feng, dressed in a black suit, calmly walked onto the podium. Flashbulbs popped continuously, and the red lights of cameras flickered non-stop.

”Ladies and Gentlemen,” Lin Feng’s voice carried through the microphone across the entire press hall. ”Today, Hartlepool United will usher in a new era.”

The key terms of the contract were displayed on the giant LED screen. When the number ”eighty million pounds” appeared, a gasp erupted throughout the press hall.

”This strategic cooperation agreement with the Samsung Group is not just a commercial success,” Lin Feng continued his speech. ”It signifies that Hartlepool United has joined the ranks of the world’s top clubs.”

The journalists below frantically recorded every word. This figure truly shocked the entire football world. A Championship club had actually reached the level of a European giant in terms of commercial development.

A BBC reporter raised his hand to ask: ”Mr. Lin, does this contract mean the club will undertake even larger-scale investments?”

”Investment never stops,” Lin Feng replied with a smile. ”But we are investing not only in players but also in the future.”

A reporter from The Times immediately followed up: ”Are you confident about tonight’s match against Everton?”

Lin Feng’s eyes sharpened: ”Goodison Park will witness another victory for Hartlepool United.”

After the press conference, the news instantly spread worldwide. On social media, the hashtag #Hartlepool United quickly topped the trending topics.

Sophie Green sat in her office, looking at the overwhelming news reports on her computer screen. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, a new column article taking shape.

”Lin Feng is not just moving pieces on the chessboard; he is defining the chessboard itself,” Sophie wrote in her article. ”This has gone beyond football; it is a war of commerce and psychology.”

She paused her typing and looked out at the London streetscape. That man always managed to make the most shocking decisions at the most critical moments. This eighty-million-pound contract was not just a commercial success; it was also a psychological tactic.

At three in the afternoon, Hartlepool United’s team bus slowly drove out of the Phoenix Training Center. The players wore matching suits, and concentration was etched on everyone’s face.

Lin Feng sat in the front row of the bus, turning to face all the players.

”Gentlemen, the whole world is watching us tonight,” Lin Feng’s voice echoed through the bus. ”Moyes will lose his temper out of anger; he will demand that the team attack relentlessly.”

Vardy nodded: ”That’s exactly what we want to see.”

”Let’s use our tactics to melt the Toffees at Goodison Park!” Lin Feng clenched his fist.

A cheer erupted in the bus. Every player was infected by this confidence. They believed that as long as the Boss was there, there was no opponent they couldn’t defeat.

The bus sped along the highway, and Liverpool in the distance was clearly visible. The lights of Goodison Park twinkled in the night, awaiting this highly anticipated showdown.

In the player tunnel, the two teams were about to meet. Everton’s players were already waiting there, seriousness written on everyone’s face.

Phil Neville looked at the young faces of the Hartlepool United team, then turned to Tim Cahill beside him.

”A bunch of kids who don’t know their place,” Neville sneered. ”Tonight, we’ll give them a real Premier League lesson.”

Cahill stretched his shoulders: ”It’s time to make them understand that money can’t buy victory.”

At the other end of the tunnel, Hartlepool United’s players were also making their final preparations. Henderson patted his teammates’ shoulders, and De Bruyne and Coutinho exchanged knowing glances.

Vardy tightened his shoelaces, his eyes gleaming like a cheetah’s.

The stands at Goodison Park were already packed. Forty thousand Everton fans sang their team anthem in unison, the massive roar shaking the entire stadium.

But in the away section, thousands of Hartlepool United fans were also cheering for their team. Although fewer in number, their voices were exceptionally loud.

Lin Feng stood beside the away team’s dugout, gazing at the historic stadium. Tonight, it would witness the birth of another miracle.