The Christmas gift that Alan gave Don was still a great gift package, and Don himself didn't even think about cooperating with SI Company, but he didn't expect Alan to do it. This not only brought a new sponsor to the club, but also made Don himself the face of the game.

Of course, announcing the partnership with SI will have to wait until after Christmas, and then there will be more things to do. At the press conference, the production of a new cover for the game packaging and the shooting of the print advertisement for the promotion of the game...... Wait a minute.

Unlike other leagues in Europe, the English league does not have a winter break, and although England national team manager Christian Eriksen proposed a winter break a few years ago, the FA did not adopt it. Not only is there no winter break, but around Christmas is the most intense time in the Premier League, think of the Forest two games in a row on the 26th and 28th, such an arrangement is arranged at this time of year.

The Christmas reception inside the Forest team has passed, and the calendar has turned over for the new year. Time came to 2005, in a blink of an eye, Tang En has been here for two years, two years is not a long time is not too short, the current Tang En and January 3, 2003 Tang En is completely different. He was a fake coach at the time, and now he has slowly grown into a qualified head coach.

At the beginning, he didn't understand anything, but he pretended to be the head coach of the team by playing football manager games before, reading various football-related news reports, and fantasies in his head.

Now he doesn't see himself as an imposter who doesn't know anything, he believes in his own abilities and believes he can lead the Forest team to success.

On January 1, before Forest host Bolton, Forest's first player in the winter transfer window, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, came to report, and Donn attended a press conference with him. Of course, before going to the media, Tony, as the head coach of the team? Donn had a conversation with Van der Sar in his office.

Van der Sar was brought in by his agent, and Donn met the Dutchman from London at the door of his office, exactly as he had remembered, tall and low-key.

"Welcome to Sherwood Forest in Nottingham and welcome to our gang of red bandits. Am I Tony, the boss of these bandits? Donne, you can call me Boss, or you can call me Boss, Tony...... Or something else, whatever you want. Donn's introduction was a refreshing sight to behold, he has been to a number of teams in his career and has never seen a manager of a team introduce their team and welcome new people in this way.

The Dutch were a little taken aback and did not react. Next to the assistant coach David? Chris Rac laughs: "That's his style, just get used to it." ”

Van der Sar stepped forward to hold Donne's outstretched hand, "Hello, boss......" called a person who was only one year older than him as "boss", and the Dutch was really a little uncomfortable.

"Glad you chose the forest, Edwin (edwin_van_der_sar). I'm sure you didn't come here with the idea of retirement, did you? After shaking hands with Van der Sar, Donn got straight to the point.

Van der Sar nodded: "Of course." If it's for retirement, I can go to Ajax. ”

Hearing Van der Sar's answer, Donn nodded, then pointed out the door: "That's right, I think so too." We all know why you made your choice. There's a lot of media out there right now, did you just see that? The parking lots are full. ”

Van der Sar nodded in understanding.

"A lot of those guys questioned the transfer between us, saying that Forest would only spend money on the old guys that no one wanted anymore, or Edwin? Van der Sar prepares himself for life after retiring from football...... Wait, they all seem to be talking about something. We just have to prove to them in the later games that they are wrong. I'm an ambitious coach, what about you, Edwin? ”

Van der Sar smiled and said, "Me too, boss." ”

"Very good, we will cooperate very tacitly! I'll take you to meet your teammates in a while, the press conference is very short, and there will be no meeting with the fans, and after the press conference you can go to the locker room and get acquainted with everyone, and then ...... Do you need to go back to your hotel to rest? ”

Van der Sar shook his head and said, "No, I can train directly. He thinks this is a small test for Donn for the new players, and if you want to make a good impression on the new manager, you have to be hardworking.

Sure enough, Donn was very satisfied with Van der Sar's answer, and he clapped his hands: "Then let's go to the press conference first, let those reporters wait in a hurry, who knows what they will write in the newspaper at that time." ”

Van der Sar found that the manager was really different from any coach he had come into contact with before, he was funny and humorous, and he was very young, only two years older than him.

Donn then introduced Chrislak to the Dutchman and led him to the press conference.

Although it is the New Year, there is still a lot of media coming, as this is the biggest transfer involving a player in English football so far in the winter transfer period. The 34-year-old Dutch international did not choose Manchester United, but went to Nottingham Forest, and it is unlikely that there will be no repercussions in any way.

Sure enough, as Donn said, most of the media focused questions about Van der Sar's decision to change clubs at the age of 34.

Van der Sar's answer was in line with Donn's expectation - to say something nonsense that sounded good on the surface, but actually said nothing. It will not give the media that likes to tamper with other people's statements without giving them anything to take advantage of.

Don sat next to him with a smile on his face, and now that his biggest headache with the goalkeeper problem was solved, he couldn't think of anything else to worry about.

There are regular partners in the forward line, Viduka and Eastwood, and although Bendtner and Crouch can only be used as substitutes for the two of them, all of them have the quality to start in Donn's eyes.

Not to mention the quality of the midfield, George? Wood is red now, Albertini is getting stronger, and Ribery, Ashley? Yang, Aaron? Lennon ...... The weaker one here may be Chris? Commons and Blanya? Gunelson too.

With veteran Hierro at the back, his experience remains the team's most valuable asset, and while his appearances have been dwindling at the moment. Piqui was gradually developing into a first-choice centre-back, and Don kept his promise when he signed him to give him a chance to play, and Pique quickly seized those opportunities and slowly showed his quality.

Now that the goalkeeper position has also been joined by strong reinforcements, Van der Sar is 34 years old, and his condition is still very good, and in two to three years, Don will no longer have to worry about the goalkeeper.

At the end of the press conference, Donn led Van der Sar to the dressing room, where the players for today's training were arriving. As he walked down the road, Donn introduced Van der Sar to the team and players: "...... Overall, everyone gets along well and have you heard any negative press in the Forest dressing room? He looked at Van der Sar for a moment, knowing what the Dutch had in mind, "It's just a story made up by the media." You'll know when the time comes, and I promise you'll love the team in no time. ”

Before they reached the door of the locker room, the two heard loud chatter and laughter coming from inside.

Donn smiled at Van der Sar, then pushed the door open and appeared in front of everyone.

"Guys, would you like to introduce you to a new companion - Edwin? Edwin. Donn beckoned Van der Sar to come up and greet the group.

"Hi guys." Van der Sar generously greeted his new team-mates. Albertini was the first to stand up as captain to greet him, laughing and saying, "I didn't expect us to be teammates, Edwin. ”

Van der Sar played for Juventus in Serie A for a while, and played against Albertini's AC Milan. Although Juventus and AC Milan have been rumored to be the holy league of Italian football, there is little alliance between the two sides when it comes to competing for the title.

Van der Sar is also happy to meet "old friends" who are familiar with him here, if not before, but still are.

It was obviously much better to have Albertini come out and take on the responsibility of bringing new people into the group, which was obviously much better than Donn. So while everyone came up to greet Van der Sar, he quietly withdrew.

The atmosphere was good, except for Ward, who would be replaced, politely came up and shook hands with Van der Sar before retreating into the corner.

As for the depressed Darren? Ward, Don has plans for it, too. Let's see if any club will be interested in him during the winter break...... Donn hasn't waited for Darren yet? Ward was interested in the club's offer, but waited until a whole bunch and George? Wood asks about the quotation.

In the 21st round of the English Premier League, which ended on 2 January, Nottingham Forest beat Portsmouth 1-0 at their home stadium. Wood's performances were still consistent, as he always was, but a goal against Manchester United changed all that and brought him to the forefront.

It's ironic...... A defensive player who has done his duty seriously is not praised, but there are many horizontal and vertical thorns. But when he scored a goal, he immediately received praise from all sides, almost blowing him into the sky. Defenders have to prove themselves by scoring goals, as most people believe that football is best when it comes to scoring goals.

(To be continued)