The referee blew the whistle, signaling the end of the match!
A heavy silence blanketed Stamford Bridge.
Judging by both their performance and the result, Chelsea's showing in this match wasn't poor at all. Compared to their time under Scolari, the players worked harder, the team played more cohesively, and there was an evident improvement.
This should have been a game that inspired optimism.
This was the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Chelsea fans understood too well what a 1-2 defeat at home meant. The significance of this loss cast a shadow over the entire tie—it would now take a miracle for Chelsea to turn things around in the second leg.
But given Chelsea's current lineup and morale, how easy would it be to pull off such a miracle?
In the VIP box, Abramovich sat motionless, feeling the despair in the air. He shared the same disappointment as the fans.
Last season, Chelsea made it to the Champions League final but ultimately lost to Manchester United. Abramovich had pinned high hopes on Scolari this season, only for things to fall apart.
Now, even with Hiddink at the helm, Chelsea faced significant roster limitations.
Scolari's approach and tactics had been drastically different from Hiddink's, and the players were still adjusting. Hiddink wanted to return to a 4-3-3 formation, but Chelsea lacked the quality wingers necessary to execute that system effectively.
Even their defensive frailties were glaringly obvious.
But beyond these tactical and technical challenges, Chelsea's core issue was the age structure of the squad.
Every player has their peak years, and every team has its cycle. For Chelsea, the peak of this generation had been last season. The warning signs of decline were already visible, but Abramovich's sacking of Mourinho midway through the season had exacerbated the situation.
Of course, it was. But Abramovich had his reasons.
He even sent Mourinho a globally limited-edition Porsche after dismissing him, his way of showing respect.
Abramovich didn't see the value in keeping Mourinho if the team was playing dull football and internal conflicts were left unresolved.
And initially, the results seemed to justify his decision. Under Grant, Chelsea made it to the Champions League final.
But some argued that luck had played a bigger role than tactical brilliance.
After their crushing loss to Manchester United in the final, the Chelsea players were devastated. Abramovich and his team were acutely aware that this squad's peak wouldn't last much longer. They needed immediate results before the inevitable decline set in.
But Scolari had failed spectacularly.
And now, even with Hiddink's arrival, Chelsea was being forced to face their impending issues head-on. Their aging core was undeniable. Carvalho's frequent injuries, Drogba, Terry, Ballack, and Lampard all aging, this squad wasn't built for longevity.
And to make matters worse, the global financial crisis was restricting Abramovich's ability to pump unlimited funds into the club.
Simply put, Chelsea would need to slow down.
"Piette, what do you think of Gao Shen?" Abramovich exhaled heavily, turning to ask his trusted advisor, Piet De Visser.
De Visser had recommended Hiddink for the job, and although Hiddink couldn't be faulted for tonight's loss, the result was still disappointing.
"Genius," De Visser answered without hesitation.
"Yes." De Visser nodded firmly. "For him to manage Napoli the way he does at just 28 years old, to remain calm under pressure in such an important game, and to go head-to-head tactically with someone like Hiddink, it's extraordinary."
De Visser paused briefly before continuing. "As I've said before, Gus [Hiddink] has a knack for identifying a team's strengths and building around them to defeat opponents. Gao Shen has that same talent. Napoli's biggest strength is their fitness, so he used that to his advantage. Even after conceding, he stayed patient and stuck to his plan."
"With this level of composure and determination, his potential is limitless."
Abramovich was genuinely surprised by De Visser's assessment.
"He plays beautiful football," Abramovich said thoughtfully.
De Visser picked up on Abramovich's implicit question and nodded. "Yes, but with our current squad, if Gao Shen were to come here, we'd need to overhaul several positions."
Abramovich hesitated. His available funds were tighter than ever, and Chelsea's aging core couldn't be ignored. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✦𝓷𝓮𝓽
Would Gao Shen really be able to handle this situation?
On the pitch, Gao Shen walked along the sidelines, greeting his players one by one like they were returning warriors.
He hugged each of them, his smile wide and genuine.
Anyone could see how thrilled and proud he was at this moment.
When Napoli was drawn against Chelsea, most people had written them off, predicting an easy win for Chelsea. But now, Napoli had pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.
This wasn't just a win; it was a statement.
Napoli now had one foot in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Of course, the second leg still needed to be played.
Facing a coach of Hiddink's caliber, complacency would be a fatal mistake.
In the stands, Mubarak, Manchester City's chairman, watched as Gao Shen celebrated with his players before they disappeared into the tunnel. Alongside him, his advisors Brian Marwood and Brian Kidd remained silent.
As they left the stadium and walked back to their hotel, the mood was reflective.
On the way, they overheard Chelsea fans discussing the game.
Many fans praised Napoli's performance, while others lamented Chelsea's shortcomings.
A few even commented, "If Gao Shen were coaching Chelsea, we'd already be dominating."
One fan's words stood out: "He's the best coach in Europe right now, and he's only 28. He could become our Ferguson!"
Mubarak couldn't help but be intrigued.
A Ferguson for Manchester City?
As they walked, Mubarak turned to Marwood and Kidd. "Start looking into the feasibility of bringing Gao Shen to Manchester City. I don't care what it takes."
The two advisors exchanged uneasy glances.
"It's complicated," Marwood began. "He has a strong personal relationship with Florentino Perez, who's about to retake the presidency at Real Madrid. Florentino has publicly supported Gao Shen for years, and it's widely rumored that Gao Shen is his first choice to manage Real Madrid next season."
Kidd nodded in agreement. "Gao Shen also has deep ties to Real Madrid. It's going to be very difficult to compete with them."
Mubarak's expression darkened, but he refused to give up. "I don't care. We'll find a way."
"Even if Real Madrid is in the mix, we need to do everything we can to get him. Whatever it costs!"
Back in his hotel room, Mubarak called Sheikh Mansour in the UAE to discuss his plans.
"Is he really that good?" Mansour asked skeptically.
"One of the best in Europe," Mubarak replied confidently.
Mansour paused for a moment. "I've heard of him. During Bayern Munich's winter training camp in Dubai, their executives spoke highly of Gao Shen. Apparently, Beckenbauer, Rummenigge, and Hoeness are all considering him as one of their two final candidates for next season."
Hearing this, Mubarak felt his heart sink.
Real Madrid was already a tough enough competitor. Now Bayern Munich too?
And in the summer, Chelsea and Liverpool might also be looking for new coaches.
What chance did Manchester City stand?
Sensing Mubarak's frustration, Mansour chuckled. "Don't get discouraged. The fact that so many people want him proves how good he is. That's exactly why we should try."
Mubarak nodded. "I understand."
"Good. Study the situation carefully, and if you're sure, I'll support you. Even if we can't get him immediately, maintaining a good relationship with him will pay off in the future. Talent like his is rarer than a superstar player."
After hanging up, Mubarak sat in silence, deep in thought.
He had never been this impressed by a coach before.
Mark Hughes suddenly seemed irrelevant.