Real Madrid officials quickly respoo the specution about Martin's "anger."

  Not only did Real Madrid's official website post a crification, but media close to Real Madrid, such as *Aspen* and *Marca*, published an exclusive interview with Chairman Martin. In this interview, the helm of the Gacticos expressed his support fao Shen, stating that the rumors of him threatening Gao Shen in the locker room were fabricated. He emphasized that he still trusted and supported Gao Shen as always.

  Everyone khat after Martin took over as chairman, the only signifit achievement he had ointing Gao Shen, who led Real Madrid out of a difficult period. Martin had been w hard to create his own image as a talent scout who discao Shen.

  With the presidential ele approag and the team's performance reag a critical juncture, Martin couldn't let his image colpse, so he chose to crify and tinue supp Gao Shen. He eveiohat the club had started preparations to begin tract renewal iations with Gao Shen.

  However, Gao Shen did not respond to Martin's crification.

  After the draw with Vilrreal, Gao Shen locked the eeam in Valdebebas, prohibiting any interviews with the media, including Real Madrid's official website and Real Madrid TV. This was somewhat strange.

  Meanwhile, Gao Shen's bold statement about winning all the remaining four league matches triggered strong backsh from Catalonia and media supp Bara. They did not believe Real Madrid was capable of winning the remaining games.

  Yet, the media focused all their attention on Gao Shen, rgely ign Real Madrid's draw with Vilrreal and Ramos's red card.

  This was exactly what Gao Shen had intended. After the draw with Vilrreal, he was most ed that the media would dig into the iories of Real Madrid, affeg the team's preparation, especially regarding Ramos's red card ay. Therefao Shen's bold statements at the press ference diverted media attention.

  As for being the media's focal point, Gao Shen didn't mind.

  …

  The Bernabeu draw had an impa Real Madrid pyers, but it only sted for a day. The pyers quickly put it behind them.

  The team had an uping match against A at San Siro on Wednesday. Despite winning 3-0 at home in the first leg, the sed leg was crucial. Any carelessness could turn Real Madrid into the stepping stone for an A miracle.

  In such a high-stakes match, any sck could be fatal.

  Gao Shen was extremely busy, not only f the pyers and helping them overe their mistakes and missed ces against Bara, but also adjusting their form and boosting their morale. He o ehe pyers were in their best spirits for the match at San Siro.

  inally, the Bernabeu wao hold a press fereh Gao Shen and Martin to crify matters, but Gao Shen refused. Real Madrid TV also wao record a crification interview, but Gao Shen deed. Even exclusive interview invitations from *Aspen* and *Marca* were strictly rejected by Gao Shen.

  Only Martin he crification; Gao Shen did not.

  Anyone experienced in the workpows that a good boss o be managed, not indulged. Blind obedienly worsens the situation in the long run. Many excellent middle managers fail because they don't know how to maheir bosses effectively.

  Managing a boss is a profound skill, requiring strength, fidence, and the right teiques.

  In Gao Shen's current position, the summer presidential eleade Martin depe on him, not the other way around. Why should Gao Shen cater to Martin's needs?

  Gao Shen's top priority was leading the team to good results. The rest didn't matter to him.

  Moreover, if he didn't cooperate, what could Martin do to him?

  When Gao Shen first took over Real Madrid, he was worried about being fired, so he had to appease Martin. Now, with Martin's arrogance, should he tio indulge him? If so, wouldn't Martin bee even more insufferable?

  …

  "Okay, Emilio, we are all uanding people. Would it be iing for you to draw this kind of cake for me?"

  In a phone call with Vice President Butragueno, Gao Shen was straightforward and blunt, exposing the ploy.

  He was a master of cake-making himself, and in his opinion, Martin's attempt was very poor.

  "Your King of Spain also once said that if I beat Juventus, he would let me sit ohroherwise, you ask him for me when he pns to fulfill that promise."

  Butragueno oher end could only respond with a wry smile.

  When King Juan Carlos I was in the VIP box, someone leaked it, and the media published it. The media even jokingly gave Gao Shen a picture with the Spanish on his head and seriously pnned a path fao Shen, including marriage.

  "Gao, the public opinion outside…"

  "It's none of my business, Emilio. I'm just a rookie who get fired anytime, anywhere."

  After that, Gao Shen found an excuse to hang up Butragueno's call, ughily.

  Previously, Martin had threateo fire him in publiow, with the pressure from public opinion, he wanted cooperation?

  I said, Mr. Chairman, you enjoy the credit, and I take the bme?

  Why don't you go to heaven?

  …

  Bernabeu, Real Madrid administrative office.

  After Butragueno hung up Gao Shen's call, he snorted and almost ughed out loud.

  After firming that his office door was closed, he ughed ht.

  The new president of Real Madrid had a habit of doing impulsive things, just as Florentino had said.

  Drawing against Vilrreal already caused trouble in the locker room, making Gao Shen anxious. But then, Martin had to add to the chaos.

  Well, being blocked by Gao Shen, he was so angry that he felt humiliated and shouted to fire him on the spot.

  Please, they are all adults. 't they speak without thinking?

  Or maybe being a boss for too long made Martin aced to being the boss. In addition, Real Madrid had been smooth sailily, making Martin even more arrogant and high-spirited.

  However, Gao Shen's toughness surprised Butragueno.

  No wonder Florentino thought so highly of him.

  He really seized the opportunity, even stepping on the Real Madrid president.

  Of course, Martin was also too rude.

  Butragueno posed himself in his offid then walked to the chairman's offiext door.

  Martin was already anxiously awaiting news.

  "How is it?" The Real Madrid president asked as soon as he saw Butragueno.

  Butragueno, a professional pyer with a close retionship with Gao Shen, didn't copy Gao Shen's words verbatim but delivered them tactfully.

  Martin, not being stupid, guessed that it was an excuse, and almost started cursing again.

  But seeing Butragueno's expression, he forcibly swallowed his words.

  If scolding was useful, he wouldn't be in this situation now.

  The more he scolded and spread the word, the greater the damage to his image.

  "What should we do now?" Martin asked Butragueno. "No one believed my crification statement."

  Who said it wasn't?

  A one-sided crification is always weak.

  Some media eveed that Gao Shen's silence implied that the media's reports were true.

  Think about it, firing a talented coach over a draw? What sense does that make?

  Martin's image as a talent scout was now in jeopardy.

  Now Martited creating su image in the first pce.

  For some reason, seeing Martin so anxious, Butrague a sense of pleasure.

  Maybe he also looked down on the Real Madrid president.

  At least, pared to Florentino, Martin fell short.

  "The top priority now is to have Gao Shen e forward to ease the pressure of public opinion," Butragueno suggested.

  Martin nodded hastily. "Yes, you're right, but… how should we do it?"

  "If he won't e, let's go to Valdebebas with reporters from the official website and TV stations."

  "No," Martin immediately objected. "If I go to Valdebebas, it's like admitting my mistake to him."

  If he did that, he would never be able to hold his head high in front of Gao Shen again.

  Butragueno silently ughed inside, but outwardly looked very embarrassed.

  "Then I really have no choice. Otherwise, just fire him. I think this kid is a little spoiled."

  Fire him?

  Martin smiled wryly. If he could, he would have do already.

  Butraguened and stayed out of it.

  After much thought, Martin finally agreed to go to Valdebebas, reasoning that he o mobilize the team for the uping away game against A.

  "We o find a reason, like mobilizing for the team's away game against A," Martin said, trying to save face.

  Butragueno nodded. "Then I'll make the arras."

  But inwardly, Butragueno was disdainful.

  Both were presidents, but there was a huge differeween them.

  With Martin's temperament, could he even win the uping presidential ele?

  Even if he did, could he be reliable?

  Butrague he o have a good talk with Florentino.