I looked at him, genuinely surprised. Connor Blake, asking for feedback.

Voluntarily. The same Connor who'd shown up late to sessions, who'd walked out of video analysis, who'd treated training like an inconvenience. "You come back tomorrow ready to work twice as hard. You hold each other accountable. You don't let your teammates slack off, and you don't slack off yourself."

He nodded, and for the first time, I saw something in his eyes that looked like commitment. Not full buy-in, not yet. But a crack in the armor. A willingness to try. Maybe the system was working on him after all. His respect rating had climbed to 38%, which was low, but was moving in the right direction. Small victories.

After the session, as the players were heading to the changing rooms, Connor lingered. "Gaffer," he said, his voice uncertain. "That goal yesterday. That was... that was what you've been talking about, yeah?"

"Yeah," I said. "That was it. That's what happens when everyone does their job."

"I want more of that," he said, and then he was gone, jogging after his teammates before I could respond. I stood there, slightly stunned. Connor Blake wanted more. Connor Blake was buying in. Maybe there was hope for him yet.

That afternoon, I had my first interview: James Cartwright from Southampton. He was exactly what his CV suggested: professional, experienced, tactically astute. We talked for an hour about pressing systems, player development, and academy philosophies.

He was impressive. He was also... safe. He agreed with everything I said, nodded at all the right moments, and never challenged a single idea. By the end, I knew he'd be competent. I also knew he wouldn't push me to be better.

"Thank you for your time," I said, shaking his hand. "We'll be in touch."

Gary was waiting outside my office. "Well?"

"He's good. Really good. But..."

"But?"

"I don't know if he'd challenge me. I need someone who'll tell me when I'm wrong, not just agree with everything."

Gary smiled. "Good. You're learning. Two more interviews on Monday. Keep your standards high."

I was frustrated by the training regression, but not disheartened. I had seen what the players were capable of. I knew the potential was there. But I also knew that I couldn't be the only one driving the standards, the only one demanding more.

I needed a coaching staff to reinforce the message, to maintain the intensity, to ensure that one breakthrough session was not followed by a week of mediocrity. And after meeting James Cartwright, I knew I needed the right people, not just any people.

Saturday morning, I woke up to a text from Emma: "How'd the interview go?"

"He was good. Too good. Agreed with everything. Didn't challenge me once."

"So you didn't like him."

"I liked him. I just don't think he's the one."

"Good. You're learning to trust your instincts. Proud of you."

I spent Saturday reviewing the other two candidates' CVs, preparing questions for Monday's interviews. Michael Torres, the ex-League One player, had an interesting background he'd played under three different managers known for high-pressing systems.

His coaching experience was limited, but his playing experience was extensive. I made notes: Ask about the transition from player to coach. How does he handle players with bigger egos than his own? What's his coaching philosophy beyond "work hard"?

Sarah Martinez from Brighton had published two articles on tactical periodization and injury prevention. She was younger than me, which was slightly terrifying, but her credentials were impeccable.

Sports science degree from Loughborough, UEFA A license, three years at Brighton working with their U23s.

Her references were glowing. One of them had written: "Sarah has the tactical mind of a 50-year-old with the energy of a 20-year-old. She'll be a head coach within five years." That was either exactly what I needed or exactly what I should avoid. I wasn't sure which yet.

Sunday, I did something I hadn't done in weeks: I took a day off. Well, mostly. I watched Match of the Day, went for a run, called my mum, and tried not to think about football for more than five consecutive minutes. I failed spectacularly at that last part, but the effort was there.

Mum asked how I was settling in. "It's different," I said. "Bigger. More complicated. But good."

"You sound tired, love."

"I am. But it's a good tired."

"Your dad would be so proud of you," she said, and my throat tightened. "Premier League. That's what he always dreamed of."

"I know, Mum."

"Don't work yourself to death, Danny. You're allowed to enjoy it too."

After we hung up, I sat on my couch, staring at the London skyline. Four weeks. It felt like four months. I'd gone from a nobody at Moss Side to the head coach of a Premier League academy's U18s. I'd asked for help and gotten it. I was interviewing coaches to work under me. I was building something.

The system, which had been quiet all weekend, flickered to life with a single notification.

[SYSTEM] Week 4 Complete. Progress: Significant. Tactical Familiarity: 61%. Squad Respect: 61%. Key Development: Connor Blake respect +7%. Leadership growth detected. Next phase: Build your team.

I smiled. The fourth week was over. Monday would bring two more interviews, and hopefully, the right person to help me build something special. I wasn't just a coach anymore. I was becoming a manager. And that was terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure.

I thought about the players Nya's hunger to learn, Reece's quiet leadership, and Connor's slowly emerging commitment. They deserved the best. They deserved a coaching setup that would give them every possible chance to succeed. And I was going to build it for them. Not alone. Not anymore. But as the leader of a team. My team.

I called Emma one last time before bed. "Thank you," I said.

"For what?"

"For telling me to ask for help. For always knowing what I need before I do."

"That's what I'm here for," she said, and I could hear her smile. "Now get some sleep. You've got coaches to interview tomorrow."

"I will. Love you."

"Love you too. Now stop being sappy and go to bed."

I hung up, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. The fourth week had been about momentum, about breakthroughs, about learning that I couldn't do it all alone. The fifth week would be about building the team that would help me achieve everything I'd dreamed of. And I was ready.

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