The Young Lion

Aldrich was not shocked by Southgate's refusal, but nodded in understanding after a short silence.

This is not some maverick personality behavior.

Players have strong self-esteem, not to mention Southgate, who is full of honors. When Blackburn won the Premier League championship, David Batty, a tough guy in the team, refused to receive the championship medal because he missed most of the season in the league. Southgate The situation is the same as Batty.

It's nothing more than not wanting to keep the past season in memory with the image of a mixed champion.

Aldridge just wanted to avoid Southgate's embarrassment at the awards ceremony. After all, except for the third goalkeeper, all other players in the first team have championship medals. Southgate doesn't want it. Feeling lonely.

It was getting late, and the two almost circled the park. Southgate suddenly stopped, stared at Aldrich calmly, and said softly: Boss, I am going to retire after this season.

He told Aldridge about the decision in a calm manner, and Aldridge frowned and replied: I think you should think again, Gareth, there has never been deception or concealment between us, now Let's talk about it honestly, yes, your level of competition has dropped significantly after the serious injury. You must have decided to hang up your boots because you think you can't play for the team, but I think, like you are changing clothes. A highly respected player in the room can help the team in other ways, even if it is just a few words of experience, it will be very helpful to some young players in the team. I hope you will stay and stay for another season. .”

Southgate shook his head, and still said in a soft voice: Boss, if it happened last season, I would choose to stay, but this season, we have encountered a challenge from a strong enemy like Chelsea in the league. , but the team successfully defended the title without me, boss, at this point, I think we have different opinions, young players like Cristiano, Thiago, Xavi, etc., they are not Ordinary players, they have super strong psychological qualities, they grow much faster than ordinary players, and they have withstood the test of ups and downs in the past two years, they don't need an old captain who relies on the old to nudge in their ears They need to show themselves, they need to stand alone, truly, thoroughly, and become the backbone of the wild lion! So, I think it's time to leave.

Aldrich looked into Southgate's calm and serious eyes. In fact, Southgate was right.

Before winning the honor with their own hands, most young players will put their tails between their tails and listen to the teachings of their predecessors. However, in these two seasons, last season was the double champion, and this season has defended the league title. This makes their self-confidence Further improvement, saying that they are young is their age, but in terms of mentality, they must have become a complete character.

Aldrich actually understands these principles.

The reason why he wants to keep Southgate may be just a kind of nostalgia between master and apprentice.

Eldridge brought Southgate from Crystal Palace to Lions Den 11 years ago.

That was the first player he signed.

After 11 years of ups and downs and rainbows, this master-student relationship on the green field has finally come to an end.

How can he let go freely?

Moreover, Southgate did not end with a glorious moment, but more like retreating quietly, which made Aldridge very uncomfortable.

The first captain under his command has dedicated his youthful blood and loyalty to the team. How could he not try his best to give Southgate a more decent curtain call performance?

But reality is so ruthless.

Aldridge is not a person who manipulates his mother-in-law. Now that Southgate has made up his mind, he can no longer make a decision to keep him.

He walked up to Southgate and gave Southgate a gentle hug, and smiled after letting go: Okay, then I will prepare a retirement match for you.

Southgate shook his head with a smile and said: It doesn't have to be like this, I'm just an ordinary player, and it seems unworthy to play a retirement game.

Aldrich shook his head and said, No, this is your selfishness. You are leaving, and you have to bid farewell to everyone, and the fans don't agree. Tell me, do you have any wishes?

Southgate's eyes drifted, revealing the color of reminiscence, and murmured: The memory of the past 11 years has begun to be a little blurred, but I always want to see my former friends again.

Okay, then at your retirement match, invite everyone back from the past, as well as the England national team. I will come forward. Don't worry, it will be very lively then.

When he walked out of the park, Aldridge asked him again: Have you thought about what to do after retirement? If you still want to develop in the football circle, as a coach, then stay at Millwall, or take charge of the team's competitive affairs. Director? There are quite a few famous retired generals who like to write columns or be guest commentators, how about you?

Southgate laughed and said, I don't have any ideas yet, but I think I will definitely not lose my job. Just like what you said, boss, at the very last time, I can go to Dangdang as a guest commentator for a while.

Okay, no matter what you want to do, I will support you. When you have a decision, just tell me, don't be a stranger, there is something I can help, just a word.

Southgate smiled and nodded.

The two returned to the door of Aldrich's house, and Aldrich watched Southgate drive away.

In fact, what Southgate does after retiring does not need to consider the issue of income at all. Although the past 11 years are not the prime time for the income of modern football professional players, through 11 years of wealth accumulation, there is agent Andrew to help with financial management. Some small investments made by Sgate and his teammates have been very impressive over the years, and can be used for long-term investment, so what he does after retirement is to choose and face with a relaxed mind, or to choose A pure passion into a new career.

On May 15, the Premier League final game.

In this year's Premier League final match, there is no suspense for the top four teams.

Champion, Millwall.

Runner-up, Chelsea.

Champions League qualification, Manchester United and Arsenal.

However, there is still suspense about the relegation situation at the bottom of the list.

The unlucky West Brom will play Millwall at home in the last round. They must win to ensure landing. If they lose or draw, there is a high probability that they will be relegated.

Also participating in the relegation battle are Crystal Palace and Norwich.

At the pre-match press conference, Aldridge took Southgate to attend, and Southgate became the protagonist. He announced to the outside world that he would hang up his boots and retire after the end of the season!

At the moment the press conference ended, all the reporters present on Fleet Street stood up and applauded Southgate.

He is the captain of the England team to win the World Cup for the second time!

I believe that on the day when Beckham retires, he will also receive high-level praise and tribute, because the European Cup championship trophy was won by Beckham as the captain.

On the day of the final match, almost all the major media headlines on Fleet Street were related to Southgate.

Greatness, legend, meritorious service, etc. to interpret Southgate's contribution to Millwall and the England national team.

There is an inventory of Southgate's 11-year legendary trajectory in Millwall.

Some of Southgate's highlights and representative games have been sorted out.

There is also a summary of Southgate's legendary journey from a sinner to a heroic captain in the England national team, and even his serious injury in the European Cup and his withdrawal from the national team, which led to him choosing to retire when he was under 35 years old. A typical English player's blood and spirit.

The market for relegation teams is definitely relatively narrow, so when the news of Southgate's retirement dominates the headlines, no one cares about the fate of the relegation teams.

The Times analysis is correct: In terms of Southgate's current state, it is difficult for Sir Hall to list him as a starter in the Champions League final. Of course, if the Champions League final goes smoothly, Millwall can Guaranteed to win the championship, then Southgate will appear in the Champions League final as a substitute, as his farewell to the green field, but the Champions League final is unpredictable, and only the final game of the league is irrelevant. This game, Not surprisingly, it will be Southgate's last start in an official game on behalf of Millwall!

When Millwall came to West Brom's Hawthorns, not only the fans but also the players of the home team were very depressed.

They want to relegation!

However, many fans of the visiting team came to the stands. No matter how high the scalping price is, there are still many Wild Lions fans who are reluctant to be slaughtered and come to watch the game. In the middle of the game, they couldn't make them timid, and they still held up slogans in the stands to bless Southgate.

At the Hawthorn Stadium, some Wild Lions fans in the stands held up Southgate's jersey number jersey, and some held up slogans, with words of praise for him and words of blessing for him.

Fan organizations have been singing their love and blessings for Southgate since the beginning of the game.

The West Brom coach is an old friend of Aldridge. When he first stepped into the green field and became the coach 11 years ago, in the League One competition at that time, the current West Brom coach was coaching Middlesbrough, and Aldridge led the team. Millwall's biggest opponent for qualifying for the Premier League, although no one thought so at the time, but later, Millwall defeated Middlesbrough to win the League One championship and directly entered the Premier League.

The old man is Brian Robson.

Robson took over West Brom in November last year, and his results were relatively dismal. It took two months for him to win his first Premier League game. West Brom has been struggling in the relegation vortex. in the relegation zone.

Bryan Robson still shook hands with Aldridge enthusiastically before the start of the game, and took the initiative to exchange greetings with Southgate, who is wearing the captain's armband today, in the player tunnel.

It's just that when the game was about to start, Robson's expression changed, trying to hide the bitterness in his heart. r1152

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