Thursday, July 9th

Thursday's run was a longer, slower pace 8k at a steady rhythm. The system wanted to build my aerobic base.

By kilometer six, I was questioning everything. But I finished.

[SYSTEM] Long Run Complete. Fitness: +0.7%. Cardiovascular Endurance: 40/100 → 41/100. Mental Toughness: +2%.

At training, Sarah ran a complex 8v8 pressing drill full pitch, coordinated pressing from different zones. It was ambitious. The players struggled.

"Right," Sarah said. "We're dividing the pitch into three zones: defensive third, middle third, attacking third. Each zone has different pressing triggers and responsibilities."

She drew it on the tactics board. "In the attacking third, we press aggressively. High risk, high reward. In the middle third, we press selectively only when we see a clear trigger. In the defensive third, we hold our shape unless the ball carrier is isolated."

The players nodded, but I could see confusion on some faces.

"Let's run it," Sarah said.

I stood at the sideline, hands clenched, desperately wanting to simplify it. To break it down. To take control.

But I didn't.

The first attempt was chaos. Players pressing in the wrong zones, leaving gaps, getting bypassed easily. Connor pressed aggressively in the defensive third and got beaten. Jake held his shape in the attacking third when he should have engaged.

Sarah let them fail. After five minutes, she stopped them.

"What went wrong?"

"We pressed at the wrong times," Reece said.

"In the wrong zones," Nya added.

"Exactly. Connor, you pressed deep in our defensive third. Why?"

"Thought I could win it."

"But you were isolated. No support. If you get beaten which you did they're through on goal. In that zone, you hold your shape unless the ball carrier is completely isolated. Understand?"

Connor nodded, actually listening.

"Jake, you held your shape in the attacking third when the ball carrier had a heavy touch. That's your trigger. In that zone, you engage. Again."

They ran it again. Better. Not great, but better. Sarah made micro-adjustments positioning, timing, communication.

By the fourth rep, they were starting to get it. Pressing aggressively high, selectively in midfield, cautiously deep.

By the end of the session, they executed a perfect sequence: Connor pressed high, forced a poor pass, Nya intercepted in midfield, played through to Sam who scored.

"THAT!" Sarah shouted. "That's what I want. That's the system working."

[SYSTEM] Pressing Success Rate: 69% → 71%. Zone-specific pressing: Developing.

I realized something: Sarah's coaching style was different from mine. I tended to over-explain, to prevent failure before it happened. Sarah let them fail, then helped them understand why. Both approaches had merit. But hers was working.

[SYSTEM] Delegation Skill: C- → C (Developing). You're learning that different approaches can be equally effective.

That evening, I went to the gym. The system had me doing strength training bodyweight exercises, core work, mobility drills.

I was exhausted. But I did it.

[SYSTEM] Strength Training Complete. Fitness: +0.5%. Strength: 35/100 → 36/100.

Friday, July 10th

Friday morning, I did a recovery run 5k at an easy pace. My legs were sore, but the system insisted recovery was part of training.

[SYSTEM] Recovery Run Complete. Fitness: +0.3%. Recovery Rate: Improving.

At training, we had an 11v11 match. Sarah and I co-coached, splitting responsibilities. She handled the attacking team (reds), I handled the defending team (blues).

"Right," I said to my team. "Focus on your defensive shape. When they have the ball, stay compact. When we win it, transition quickly."

Sarah addressed her team. "We're working on what we've trained this week. Press intelligently, recognize your triggers, win the ball high."

The match kicked off. The first ten minutes were scrappy both teams feeling each other out, testing the system.

In the 12th minute, the reds won the ball in midfield. Nya played it wide to Sam, who crossed. Connor made a run, but his timing was off. The ball sailed over his head.

"Connor!" Sarah called. "Earlier run. Anticipate the cross."

He nodded.

Five minutes later, the blues scored. Jake played a long ball over the top, Lewis ran onto it, finished past Ryan.

"Ryan!" I called. "Come off your line earlier. Cut out that pass."

He nodded, frustrated.

The match continued. Both teamswere creating chances, and both defenses holding firm.

Then, in the 28th minute, it happened.

The blues played out from the back. Their center-back received the ball, took a heavy touch. Connor saw it immediately. He sprinted forward, cutting off the passing lanes. The defender panicked, tried to play it back to Ryan, but Connor intercepted.

One touch to control. One touch to set himself. Shot. Bottom corner. Goal.

The reds erupted. Connor grinned a real, genuine grin.

Sarah jogged over to him. "That's the player you can be. Every single day. Perfect trigger recognition. Perfect execution."

[SYSTEM] Connor Blake: Pressing Intelligence +5%. Respect: 49% → 52%. Breakthrough moment.

The match finished 2-1 to the reds. Connor scored again in the second half another goal from high pressing.

It felt natural. Collaborative. Like we'd been working together for months, not days.

After the match, I gathered the team.

"Good week, lads. You've adapted to having Sarah on board, you've worked hard, you've improved. Keep it up."

Reece stood up. "Three cheers for the coaches!"

The team cheered.

As they dispersed, Connor approached Sarah. I couldn't hear what he said, but she smiled and nodded. He jogged off, looking... happy.

"What did he say?" I asked.

"Asked if I'd work with him individually next week. On his pressing and movement."

"That's huge."

"It is. He's starting to trust me. Starting to believe."

That evening, Emma called.

"How's the new hire working out?"

"Really well. She's brilliant. The players respect her. Connor's actually trying now. And I'm learning to delegate."

"You? Delegating? I don't believe it."

"I know. It's terrifying. But it's working."

"I'm proud of you, Danny. You're growing."

"I'm trying."

"You're succeeding."

Saturday, July 11th

Saturday morning, I did a tempo run 6k at a challenging but sustainable pace. The system wanted to push my lactate threshold.

It hurt. But I finished.

[SYSTEM] Tempo Run Complete. Fitness: +0.8%. Cardiovascular Endurance: 41/100 → 42/100. Lactate Threshold: Improving.

That afternoon, I went to the gym. Sarah was there.

"Didn't expect to see you here on a Saturday," she said.

"Could say the same about you."

"I like to stay sharp."

We worked out together strength training, core work, mobility drills. It was companionable. Comfortable.

"This week was good," she said during a rest period. "But you need to trust me more. Stop hovering. Stop second-guessing."

"I'm trying."

"I know. And you're getting better. But next week, I want you to let me run an entire session without watching. Can you do that?"

I hesitated. "That's... that's hard."

"I know. But you need to learn to fully let go. To trust that I can handle it."

"What if something goes wrong?"

"Then I'll handle it. That's what you hired me for."

She was right.

"Okay. Deal."

Sunday, July 12th

Sunday morning, I did an easy 5k recovery run. My body was tired, but I was getting stronger.

[SYSTEM] Week 1 Personal Training Complete.

Fitness: 42/100 → 44/100 (+2%)

Cardiovascular Endurance: 38/100 → 42/100 (+4%)

Strength: 35/100 → 36/100 (+1%)

Mental Toughness: +2%

Note: Consistent progress. Continue daily training. Target: 60/100 fitness by end of pre-season.

That afternoon, I reviewed the week. Sarah's first full week. My first week learning to delegate. My first week training seriously.

The system notification appeared.

[SYSTEM] Week 6 Complete.

Sarah Martinez Integration: 82% (Excellent)

Delegation Skill: C (Developing)

Connor Blake Respect: 48% → 52% (+4%)

Squad Respect: 73% → 75% (+2%)

Pressing Success Rate: 67% → 69% (+2%)

Personal Fitness: 42/100 → 44/100 (+2%)

Next Week: Continue staff development. Hire Fitness Coach and Goalkeeping Coach. Maintain personal training.

[SYSTEM] You're learning to lead, not just coach. You're learning to improve yourself, not just your players. Keep going.

I sat in my flat that evening, exhausted but satisfied.

One week with Sarah. One week of learning to let go. One week of pushing my own limits.

I was building a team. And I was building myself.

And for the first time since arriving at Crystal Palace, I felt like I was becoming the coach and the person I needed to be.

***

Merci For Reading.

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