On the Pitch: Diego's Story

Chapter 18

The tension from the previous night still clung to Diego as he stepped onto the training ground. His mind was a whirlpool of thoughts—anger, frustration, and doubt all mixing together. The fallout with the manager had been bad, worse than anything he'd experienced in his young career. As he laced up his boots, he noticed the sideways glances from his teammates. Some looked worried, others indifferent, but one thing was clear: the atmosphere in the locker room had shifted.

Diego's mind raced as he recalled the words exchanged with the manager. Every decision the manager had made in recent weeks seemed personal, and Diego couldn't shake the feeling that he was being deliberately sabotaged. But now, standing here, he knew he had to focus. Two games left, and the league was on the line.

Setting: The Boardroom

The boardroom was filled with a tense atmosphere as the coach entered, his expression a mix of frustration and determination. The members of the board, a mix of stern faces and cautious eyes, sat around the large table, waiting for him to speak. The stakes were high, with the league title slipping through their fingers and the club's future in the balance.

"Thank you for meeting on such short notice," the coach began, his voice steady but strained. He knew he had to address the elephant in the room—the situation with Diego Ramos. "We need to talk about Diego."

One of the board members, an older man with graying hair, leaned forward. "We've all seen what happened on the field and heard the reports of your argument. The press is already running with transfer rumors. What's going on?"

The coach sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Diego's an exceptional talent, no doubt. But his attitude... It's becoming a problem. He's questioning my decisions, arguing with teammates—Capaldo, especially—and it's disrupting the squad's harmony. We can't afford that with the title on the line."

Another board member, a woman with sharp features and a keen eye for business, chimed in. "Diego is young and ambitious. That kind of fire can be good for the team, but it can also burn us if not managed properly. What are you suggesting, exactly?"

The coach paused, choosing his words carefully. "Look, I think it might be best for both parties if we consider moving him on in the summer. His talent will attract big offers, and if we're smart, we can reinvest that money into the squad—maybe bring in players who fit our system better, who will respect the hierarchy."

The older board member frowned. "Do you really think we can replace someone of his caliber? The fans are already unhappy with how the season's going, and selling our best young talent might push them over the edge."

The coach nodded, acknowledging the concern. "I understand, but we have to think long-term. Diego's head seems to be elsewhere—whether it's with the national team or looking at other clubs. His recent behavior suggests he's already checked out mentally."

A younger board member, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "There's been interest from big clubs—Aston Villa, Barcelona, Juventus. They're all looking for a young attacking midfielder. We could get a significant fee, especially with his potential."

The coach leaned in, his voice low and serious. "Exactly. If we play this right, we can turn this situation into a win. But we need to handle it carefully—leak it to the press that we're considering offers, gauge the market, and make sure we have a solid replacement lined up."

The room fell silent as the board members exchanged looks, weighing the coach's words. Finally, the older man nodded. "Alright, we'll explore the options. But this needs to be handled delicately. We can't afford to lose the fans' support or destabilize the team further."