"Reigning Premier League champions Nottingham Forest have been in trouble lately. They are winless in three league games, the gap to top-placed Arsenal has widened to seven points, and they have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup prematurely by a Championship side. None of this is for Tony. Donne's biggest headache is that the reporters who haunt the Wilford training base don't dare to interview him anymore, and he is in a bad mood because of his favourite player, Freddy. Eastwood suffered another knee injury in the last league game......"

In the 11th round of the league on November 1, Nottingham Forest challenged Tottenham Hotspur away. In the fifty-fourth minute, Eastwood was with Michael. Dawson was knocked to the ground in a scramble and never got up again. Dawson managed to cut off Eastwood's ball, but when he noticed what was going on, he kicked the ball off the sideline to make it easier for the Forest's team doctors to play.

Dawson also wanted to comfort Eastwood, but was unceremoniously pushed away by the Forest players who rushed in. Although he used to be the captain of Nottingham Forest, he is now a true enemy in the eyes of these Forest players.

Fleming rushed onto the field with two assistants to examine Eastwood, who was lying on the ground moaning in pain.

"Okay, okay, it's okay, it's okay!" Fleming didn't check Eastwood's knee first, and he was startled by the first thing he saw was the gypsy's tearful eyes. As a team doctor, he will often see the expressions of the players injured at the nearest distance, and they all say that their bodies know best, so most of the time he can know how a player is injured just by looking at these expressions.

Crying at the time of the injury, he knows there is a living example of this – Ronaldo who fell on the pitch for the second time.

Eastwood opened his mouth wide as if he wanted to moan, but he couldn't make any sound, like a fish out of water.

"Stretcher stretcher." Fleming called for a stretcher and carefully placed Eastwood on it.

"You're going to be fine, trust me, you're going to be fine......" Fleming leaned down and whispered in Eastwood's ear as he followed the stretcher.

After the end, Fleming looked up and saw Donn's inquiring gaze, and he shook his head gloomily. He could clearly see Don scolding.

The next day came worse news, Eastwood was seriously injured and needed to be out for four months, and he had to have another operation.

“…… It's been a real misfortune since representing West Ham in a match against Nottingham Forest. After Wood was seriously injured, this was the third major surgery he had on the same area. Two days ago, he had just passed his thirtieth birthday, and he didn't expect the 'birthday gift' he got to be this ......"

'The 30-year-old Eastwood has had a legendary career, having been one of West Ham's most promising youth team players before eventually being dropped by West Ham after a serious injury against Nottingham Forest's youth team, and he was confined to playing in the amateur league and working part-time as a second-hand car salesman...... The TV host's words seemed to be a look back on his life at a mourning memorial service for Eastwood. Later he was Tony. Donn brought it to City Stadium and found his chance again. Scoring the winning goal twice in the Champions League final made him one of Forest's all-time legendary goalscorers. In Tony. The season after Donn's return from heart disease, he became the Premier League's Bronze Boot goalscorer. Since then, he has been plagued by injuries, but he has been able to score in double figures every season...... This injury may be the hardest blow for him, and he may even retire early...... According to the American doctor Richard, who operated on him. Eastwood's right knee looked like a mess of broken cotton stuffed together, and it was likely to be re-injured after surgery repair......, Steadman said.

※※※

"Bastard!" Donn slapped it on the desk, and Chris Rac next to him didn't dare to take a breath.

Don wasn't scolding Chris Lack, he wasn't scolding anyone, he was scolding this terrible fate. He hasn't had a healthy goalscorer since he brought the Gypsies back on that amateur pitch in east London.

Eastwood is definitely a good striker who is not injured, and Donn believes that he can squeeze into the top strikers in Europe with his quality, but injuries have become a shackle on the Gypsy's feet, preventing him from running freely.

This is the most regrettable and helpless thing for Donn.

One thing that makes Don even angrier now is that just an hour ago, Eastwood told Donn that he planned to retire directly after the surgery.

At that time, the two men had a heated argument on the phone...... Or "quarrel" is fine. Donn said nothing that agrees with Eastwood's choice to retire, and he doesn't even want to hear the word "retirement". But Eastwood also made up his mind this time, risking the king's confrontation with Donn on the phone.

"I'll tell you, Freddy! I don't allow you to say 'retirement'! I don't promise you to retire either! You're only thirty years old, what are you going to do? Give me honest surgery, four months of rest, and come back on the field to continue scoring goals! What pathos do you play with you? ”

"Chief, I know my body best! I really can't hold on anymore...... Nine years ago, you persuaded me in the hospital to persevere and choose the path I wanted to take, and I listened to you and walked on this road I liked for nine years...... Nine years, chief, it's not a short time. I really can't walk......"

Don heard a cry on the phone. He was silent, not knowing what to say to comfort. If he was in front of Freddie at this moment, he would not hesitate to hold the other person in his arms. But through the cold phone calls and the ethereal airwaves, he couldn't do anything.

After sobbing for a while, Eastwood seemed to calm down, and he continued in a hoarse voice: "Actually, I'm running a lot less on the field now. Even if I continued to return to the pitch after the surgery, I would have contributed very little to the team...... I'm tired, head. Do you know what my biggest dream is right now every day? Take care of my horses and children, and be with Serem...... It's as simple as that. It's not a good road, I'm so tired of persevering, I want to rest now......"

"Freddie ......"

"Don't persuade me, sir. This time I made up my mind. I ......"

Don interrupted Eastwood with some savagery, raising his voice, "Remember our agreement?" I'm a legendary coach, you are a legendary shooter! Freddy, do you remember! ”

"I'm sorry, chief, I'm sorry......" Eastwood's voice was low and choked.

When Don heard this, he suddenly tilted his head and took the phone away from his ear. He pursed his lips so that the tears would not really slide down. Thankfully, there was only one person in the office at this time, and there would not be a second person who would see that strong king of Nottingham Forest so out of shape.

Don successfully held back his tears, he picked up his phone again, and the connection was still not disconnected.

"Freddy."

"Boss?"

"Let's come back to Wilford again after the successful surgery and say goodbye to everyone. I'm not going to tell them about it. ”

"Hmm."

"Give me a call when you're coming."

"Okay."

"Rest well, Freddy......" Donn hurriedly hung up. He was really afraid that if he continued to talk like this, he would really cry on the phone. His voice was trilled to the end.

Damn, retire directly, retire directly! I'd like to give you a farewell match, Freddie! I don't care about you...... Why did you choose to retire directly?

Donn circled around his head coach's office, his chest heaving violently, and his emotions lingering for a long time.

Deep down, he regards every player he has been with for many years as his friend, and the departure of any friend will make him very uncomfortable. From Hierro, Albertini, David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy...... At Eastwood now, the last thing he wants is to have a player retire in front of his eyes. It's okay to leave on a transfer, no matter what the reason for leaving, he can always see those familiar faces elsewhere. But retirement is another matter......

Whenever he saw Albertini in a suit appear in front of him as an official of the Italian Football Federation, he was always in a trance. The years......

※※※

Except for Don and Eastwood, no one knew about the Gypsies being retired. But the media can still smell something sensitively from some rumors.

After the Champions League group stage match against Lyon, a reporter at the press conference asked about Eastwood's injury, "...... Judging by a lot of news, is it possible for Eastwood to retire on this? ”

Don's face immediately darkened: "I don't know, I'm not a professional doctor, I can't comment on his injuries." ”

Another reporter raised his hand and stood up, and before he could speak, Donn was already pointing at him and saying, "If it's still about Eastwood, I'm sorry, I refuse to answer." That has nothing to do with this game. ”

The reporter opened his mouth and sat down again.

Apparently he was asking this question.

"Let's talk about the game." Donn took the initiative to change the subject, "I am very happy to beat Lyon away and qualify two rounds early. Thank you for the unity of the team. ”

How could such a thing be something that journalists wanted to hear?

It's a pity that Donn didn't give reporters a chance during the entire press conference. As for the exact consequences of Eastwood's injury, no one knows at this time.

The reporters couldn't get anything of value from Gao Tangen and ran to ask the players.

"Freddie? We all hope that he recovers soon and then comes back. In his absence, the locker room is not so lively, ha! Pepe laughed.

"Of course I want him to recover soon, but I can't be in too much of a hurry. It's better to heal your injuries and come back, it's safer. Thiago, who is older, appears to be cautious.

"Freddy, come on!" Ibisevic, who scored in the game, clenched his fists and shouted at the camera. While celebrating that goal, he lifted his shirt to reveal the T-shirt underneath, which read: "This goal is dedicated to Freddy".

Interview with George. Wood is the most difficult. Especially on this issue. Because everyone knows why Eastwood has such a bumpy career, all thanks to his teammate and captain. Eastwood's three-time operated knee was the first right knee Wood kicked.

"I ...... I think he'll be back......" Wood said with some underconfidence, a little doubt in his tone. "It should be...... Will be back. ”

After saying this, he left in a hurry, feeling like he was running away.

There is still a lot of optimism about Eastwood's return.

※※※

Three days later, Freddie. Eastwood underwent the third right knee surgery of his career in the United States. After the surgery, the surgeon told him that the situation was not optimistic and that he could not guarantee that the surgery would allow him to return to the court.

Eastwood smiled at the bad news. It's as if I didn't take it to heart at all.

After a week of recuperation in the United States, he flew back to England accompanied by his wife. Then he called Donn.

"Boss, I want to come back and see everyone."

Don knew it was time to say goodbye.

So in the training session the next morning, the Nottingham Forest players met Freddy, who had not been seen for a long time. Eastwood, though still on crutches, finally showed up in front of everyone.

"Hey, Freddy, long time no see! What about sunshine in the United States? ”

"I heard that the surgery was successful? Do you still need to take three months off? ”

"Hurry up and heal your wounds and come back! Everybody misses you. ”

His teammates warmly gathered around him, patting Eastwood on the shoulder and head and greeting him.

Chrislak also watched this scene happily and did not say anything to stop it. Only Don stood next to him wearing sunglasses, looking gloomy.

Even George, who rarely talks together. Wood also walked up for the first time and stood in front of Eastwood: "We...... Uh, we're all waiting for you to come back. ”

This "culprit" who caused his current situation, Eastwood has never given him a good look. Just George. Wood is also a proud man, and he never takes the initiative to admit his mistakes to Eastwood in person. So the relationship between the two has always been a little stiff, and it has been hyped by the media.

But now that I'm going to retire, it's too boring to dwell on such things.

Eastwood smiled at Wood for the first time, "Thank you." ”

Someone next to him whistled excitedly, coaxing them to simply shake hands and hug. This is big news, the two people who have a deep hatred in the team also have this day to release their suspicions!

In the end, though, they didn't shake hands and hug.

Seeing that everyone was almost talking, Don stood up, coughed, and motioned for everyone to be quiet. Then he pointed to Eastwood and said, "Freddie has something to tell you about this time." With that, he stepped aside and motioned for the gypsy to come forward.

Eastwood slowly moved out on crutches, and everyone looked at him with some confusion, not knowing what he was going to say.

"Uh...... Well...... I almost changed my mind just now. Eastwood tucked his cane under his arm and rubbed his nose with his hand, "I'd love to come back and play with everybody." But I know it's unlikely......"

There was an uproar in the middle of the team.

"Hey, Freddie, what are you talking about?"

"I'm sorry, Freddy. Your English is not standard at all, and your speech speed is still so fast, I can't hear it clearly! ”

"It's not April 1st, Freddy!"

After everyone had quieted down a bit, Eastwood continued, "I didn't lie, folks. The doctor told me after the surgery that my knee might not be able to withstand the impact of professional football, and that if I didn't want to walk like this all the time...... "he patted the two crutches he was holding, "and it was better to give up." ”

"Don't talk yet, let me finish talking." He saw that someone was trying to say something, so he hurriedly gestured to stop him. "I've thought about it myself for a long time...... I've also talked to the chief. He glanced back at Don, who was wearing sunglasses with no expression on his face, as if he was playing cool.

"I decided to retire like that." He finally said the most important sentence.

Chrislac, with a surprised expression, looked at him, and then turned to look at Donn next to him. Don had already lowered his head.

The reaction from the players was even more violent, and they shouted and even asked Eastwood to take back his last words on the spot.

"Eastwood! You kid...... Do you know what you're talking about? ”

"We're all waiting for you to come back, how can you choose to escape?"

"Hey, calm down, everyone......"

"Calm down! He had three surgeries on his knee, and he persevered the first two times, so why didn't he insist on it anymore? You're only thirty years old, what are you retiring! ”

For a moment, all kinds of excited sounds hit Eastwood's eardrums and heart, and he leaned on his crutches and looked at his angry teammates with a smile on his face.

Seeing that the scene was getting more and more chaotic, Don finally couldn't help but drink: "Shut up!" ”

Everyone obediently closed their mouths, but their eyes were still a little angry.

"If you are still a brother to Freddie, then respect his decision!" Don had a dark face and an ugly expression. "He knows his body best, what are you calling here?" After teaching the players a lesson, he turned to Eastwood and said, "You said your dream is to take care of the horses and children and be with Serem. But it's a shame that I have another gift for you, and I hope you will accept it......"

Eastwood was a little surprised.

"Everybody of us here......" Donn turned to the players and coaches, "and none of them want you to leave." ”

Everyone nodded along with the nod.

"So, I don't want to let you go. I gave you a new contract ......"

Eastwood's eyes widened, how could he not know? Isn't he going to retire? How can there be a new contract?

"Would you like to be the coach of the team after you retire?"

After Donn said this, the stunned players whistled one after another, and they must make Eastwood accept the contract.

"Coach Eastwood!" Someone below took the lead in coaxing, and everyone shouted along. The coaches on the coaching staff laughed too.

In this way, the parting became a joy for all.

Eastwood looked at Donn, then turned to look at his teammates who were heckling around him. The expression on his face changed several times, and finally he froze on a smile.

"I'm afraid I'm not capable, boss......" he said with a smile.

"Take your time, you weren't born to be a professional, were you?"

"I ...... Well, I accept. ”

Cheers rang out.

The cheering crowd didn't pay attention, only George. Wood looked preoccupied, and there was not a smile on his face.

(To be continued)