I clicked on the Crystal Palace job in the Development Pathways module. A detailed analysis appeared.

Position: U18s Head Coach

Level: Premier League Academy (Tier 1)

Development Opportunity: 18/20 (Excellent)

Player Quality: 14/20 (Good prospects, some elite)

Coaching Staff Quality: 17/20 (Learn from experienced professionals)

Pathway to First Team: 13/20 (Possible but highly competitive)

Facilities: 19/20 (World-class academy setup)

System Recommendation: "Ideal first professional role. Strong academy structure, excellent facilities, history of developing talent (Zaha, Wan-Bissaka, Moses). Gary Issott is a respected mentor figure. Success here opens doors across professional football. Challenge: Proving yourself against experienced academy coaches. Risk: Moderate. Reward: High."

It confirmed everything I felt. This was the right move. The perfect move.

Then, my curiosity piqued, I opened the Player Future Projections feature and focused on my Moss Side players. The system crunched the data, and detailed career paths materialized.

JJ Johnson (18, Striker)

Current Ability (CA): 130/200 (County League star, ready for professional football)

Potential Ability (PA): 180/200 (World-class ceiling - Premier League/Champions League level)

Development Progress: 65/200 → 130/200 (+65 CA in 18 months under your management)

Key Attributes: Pace (17), Technique (17), Flair (18), Finishing (15↑), Determination (12↑), Work Rate (14↑), Professionalism (11↑)

Personality: Ambitious Professional (improved from Volatile)

Interested Clubs: Brighton & Hove Albion (Championship), Accrington Stanley (League Two), Morecambe (League Two)

System Analysis: "Exceptional development under your management. Mental attributes have improved dramatically determination, work rate, and professionalism all significantly higher. No longer the volatile teenager who arrived. Currently ready for Championship football as the next step. Brighton offer the best development pathway excellent academy, proven track record of developing young players to Premier League level under Chris Hughton. With his world-class potential (PA 180), he could reach the very top if developed properly. Estimated transfer fee: £80,000-£120,000.""

My heart swelled with pride. Brighton. A Championship club. And a potential £100,000 fee that could transform Moss Side. I had to make that happen.

Jamie Scott (17, Midfielder/Libero)

Current Ability (CA): 95/200 (Developing talent, County League level)

Potential Ability (PA): 145/200 (League One/Two ceiling)

Key Attributes: Passing (14), Vision (15), Positioning (13), Composure (16↑), Bravery (14↑)

Personality: Resilient Professional (recovered from trauma)

Interested Clubs: Rochdale (League One), Oldham Athletic (League One) - scouts watching

System Analysis: "Remarkable recovery from psychological trauma. Title-winning performance showed his ceiling. However, still only 17 and needs another season at Moss Side to build confidence and physical resilience. Too soon for professional move. A full season as the main man will prepare him for League One/Two football.""

That made sense. Jamie needed stability. He needed to be the main man for a year, not a squad player at a bigger club.

Scott Miller (32, Midfielder)

Current Ability (CA) as Player: 110/200 (Veteran County League player)

Potential (as player): 90/200 (Declining due to age)

Management Potential: 145/200 (Promising coach/manager)

Key Management Attributes: Leadership (18), Tactical Knowledge (15), Man Management (16), Motivating (17), Determination (18)

Personality: Model Professional

System Analysis: "Ideal player-manager candidate. 10 years at Moss Side & Railway Arms, deeply respected by squad, tactically intelligent from observing your methods. Mature, stable, understands club DNA. Perfect choice to ensure continuity and build on championship-winning culture. Will need support in first 6 months but has all the qualities to succeed.

It was all there. The path forward. Not just for me, but for them. I closed the system, my mind clear. I knew what I had to do.

Emma placed a cup of tea in front of me. "You went quiet. Everything okay?"

"More than okay," I said, looking up at her. "I know what I need to do before I leave."

We spent the next hour making a plan. Emma, ever the practical journalist, took notes as I talked.

"First, I need to tell Terry," I said. "Face to face. He deserves that."

"He's going to be heartbroken," Emma said softly.

"I know. But I have a plan for him. For the club." I explained the idea of Scott Miller as player-manager to replace me and the potential £100,000 transfer fee for JJ. Emma's eyes widened at the sum.

"That would change everything for them," she said.

"Exactly. Then I need to talk to the players. To Scott, to JJ, to Jamie, to Big Dave. I can't just disappear. I need to make sure they're all set."

Emma looked at me, a proud smile on her face. "You're a good man, Danny Walsh."

"I'm trying to be."

We talked logistics. The long-distance relationship. The two-hour train journey between London and Manchester. Her staying in her job for now, visiting on weekends. Me finding a flat in Croydon.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked, taking her hand. "Long distance is hard."

"We'll make it work," she said, her grip firm. "This is your dream. I'm not going to be the person who holds you back from it. We'll figure it out. Together."

Later, as I started packing a bag for the two-week course in Birmingham, the weight of it all finally hit me. I pulled my Moss Side coaching top from Emma's wardrobe, the one I'd worn for the final. I held it in my hands, the fabric worn, the crest faded. This shirt represented my entire life for the past eighteen months. It was my identity.

"You okay?" Emma asked from the doorway.

"I'm leaving tomorrow," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "For two weeks. And when I come back, I have the interview. And if I get it… everything changes."

"Scared?"

"Terrified," I admitted. "What if I'm not good enough? What if the UEFA B course is too hard? What if I fail the interview and I've quit my job and spent all my money for nothing?"

She came over and wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight. "Then you'll have tried," she whispered into my chest. "And that's more than most people ever do. But you won't fail. You're ready for this."

I held her, breathing in her scent, drawing strength from her belief in me. She was right. I was terrified, but I was also more excited than I'd ever been in my life. I packed the Moss Side shirt at the bottom of my bag, a reminder of where I'd come from. Then I packed my notebooks, my laptop, and a clean set of clothes. I was ready.

We left the flat and walked towards Terry's house, the Sunday streets of Manchester quiet around us. The air was crisp, the sky a pale, hopeful blue. It felt like the first day of the rest of my life.

"Time to face the music," I said, squeezing Emma's hand.

She squeezed back. "They'll understand. They love you."

I hoped she was right. I really, really hoped she was right.

***

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