CHAPTER 422: ENJOYING THE CITY OF AMSTERDAM

As the season drew to a close, the manager’s job became increasingly demanding—especially for someone like O’Neill, who still had a trophy to chase. Every decision, every formation, every substitution mattered more than ever.

Manchester City had secured an away victory against Newcastle United in their final league match, putting the finishing touches on a remarkable campaign.

The league table reflected their dominance:

Manchester City (C) – 104 points

Arsenal – 93 points

Manchester United – 85 points

Chelsea – 80 points

Leeds United – 79 points

Blackburn Rovers – 77 points

Liverpool – 76 points

With City crowned champions, the attention now shifted to the remaining objectives. Richard knew that securing his final trophy wouldn’t be easy, but the team’s confidence was sky-high, and every player felt the momentum of a season defined by consistency, skill, and determination.

The final weeks were a test—not just of strategy, but of mental toughness. One slip, one lapse in focus, and all the hard work could unravel. Yet, with the squad firing on all cylinders, O’Neill had reason to believe that history could still be written.

Just as City was preparing for their flight toward Amsterdam Arena, Marina called Richard, and her words lit a fire inside him.

"Has AC Milan’s representatives contacted you? Or any agent?"

Richard was taken aback. "Why?"

"It wasn’t me—it was Shevchenko. I heard that AC Milan’s executive director met with his agent in the Monaco, taking the opportunity to discuss a transfer. Someone just called me to inform me. To be honest, their offer is very generous."

"I see."

He hung up the phone and immediately searched for Adriano Galliani’s number. Once the line connected, he didn’t hesitate. He was shouting even before the greeting ended.

"Adriano! AC Milan’s season is over, but Manchester City’s isn’t! F**k! Stay away from my players!"

Who didn’t know that AC Milan had endured a second consecutive disastrous season?

Fabio Capello returned as coach following the dismal second half of the 1996–97 league campaign but failed to turn things around. Milan was a shadow of the team he had left the year before. With Capello’s reputation seemingly tarnished, rumors circulated that he would be sacked at the end of the season, as Milan finished a mere 10th in the league.

"..."

There was a pause on the other end, but before anyone could respond, Richard slammed his phone down.

With Milan’s title defense fading, their last hope for silverware rested solely on the Coppa Italia. However, Lazio defeated Napoli in the final, securing the cup and cementing a strong season for themselves.

It seemed Adriano Galliani was already plotting for the next season. It was understandable—many clubs had already begun eyeing Manchester City’s players even before the season ended.

Richard, however, was not impressed. It wasn’t that he would outright block a transfer if a player wanted to leave, but as the owner of the club, he was outraged. Galliani’s actions had broken the unwritten code of conduct by approaching his squad while their season was still in full swing.

After all, City still had crucial matches in the UEFA Champions League to play. If Shevchenko was preoccupied with transfer talks, it would undoubtedly affect his focus on the pitch. Milan was probably already worried that if City managed to defeat Real Madrid, and Shevchenko would be reluctant to leave. That’s why, before they could get their hands on the big trophy, they needed to secure an agreement with Shevchenko.

Back to the thrilling UEFA Champions League match—City’s entire squad felt invigorated after securing a hard-fought victory on the road. Undoubtedly, this was a confidence-boosting, milestone moment for the team.

Before that, Manchester City had already clinched the Premier League title with three rounds to spare, sending the city into a frenzy of celebration. Blues fans flooded the streets, exuberantly sharing the news and reveling in the triumph, while the night sky was set ablaze with dazzling fireworks.

In pubs across the city, supporters could hardly contain their excitement. It was destined to be a sleepless night, even with the UK’s midnight drinking ban still in effect.

The City players were celebrating as well, inviting their families to join in the festivities. Richard had allowed them the freedom to enjoy themselves, though the event remained well-managed—meals were prepared carefully by the chef, and security ensured everything stayed orderly.

Taking a moment to reflect, the squad realized just how extraordinary their season had been: not only had they racked up an impressive 18 consecutive league wins, but they had also maintained an unbeaten streak of 34 matches. It was a testament to their skill, determination, and the unity that had carried them through an unforgettable campaign.

They had only conceded a total of 14 goals!

What’s more, Ronaldo was awarded the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals in the league, netting an incredible 54 goals. Zinedine Zidane, meanwhile, was recognized as the top assist provider, contributing 14 assists over the course of the season.

The title of Player of the Season went, of course, to Ronaldo, whose performances were simply outstanding.

For Manager of the Season, the award was given to O’Neill, in recognition of his significant impact and the success he brought to his team.

After the small celebratory party, City’s entire entourage packed up and set off for the Amsterdam Arena in the Netherlands.

City arrived early, with 44 players from both the first team and youth squads, accompanied by the full coaching staff and support personnel. They touched down in Amsterdam on Tuesday evening, ready to begin the next Chapter of their European adventure.

The Manchester City U-17 squad had experienced a mixed bag leading up to this trip. Before arriving in Amsterdam, they had suffered a heavy defeat to Tottenham’s youth team in the FA Youth League. That made this trip even more exciting for them—Richard had arranged the visit to give them a chance to recover confidence and gain valuable experience.

To ensure the young players made the most of the trip, Richard organized additional friendly matches against local teams. These games offered the U-17s the opportunity to develop their skills, adapt to different styles of play, and experience football in a new environment. For many, it was more than just a trip—it was a chance to learn, grow, and prepare for the challenges of the senior game.

Once they landed, Richard let the team leader handle the luggage while he took the players for a leisurely walk through the streets of Amsterdam. Having visited the Netherlands before, he still remembered it vaguely and didn’t need a guide.

"Wow... so this is Amsterdam!" Ronaldinho’s eyes sparkled as he took in the city around him.

The streets were alive with movement—bustling crowds, cyclists weaving past, and the chatter of locals in Dutch cafés and shops.

Sunlight reflected off the narrow canal houses, their gabled façades leaning toward the water, each one a piece of history. It was like Brazil, Ronaldinho thought, minus the gangsters and the sound of gunfire.

Cafés spilled onto the sidewalks, patrons laughing and enjoying plates of bitterballen and stroopwafels, while the aroma of fresh bread and strong coffee mingled with the faint scent of the canals.

In the distance, the massive silhouette of the Amsterdam Arena (home of Ajax) loomed, its modern structure a symbol of Dutch footballing pride and history.

Richard had already booked the team’s hotel nearby, ensuring that the Manchester City squad and coaching staff were just a short drive from the stadium. From their vantage point, the players could see fans in red-and-white scarves drifting past, shops decked with Ajax memorabilia, and the buzz of a city that seemed to live and breathe the beautiful game. For the young squad, being so close to one of Europe’s iconic football grounds was electrifying—a reminder of the level they aspired to reach.

The hotel itself was sleek and modern, with spacious rooms for the players, meeting areas for staff, and easy access to training pitches. As the squad checked in and dropped their bags, the excitement was palpable. Some of the younger players pressed against the windows, staring at the stadium in the distance, imagining themselves one day running onto that pitch under the roar of thousands of fans.

That evening, the squad enjoyed a meal at a stylish Dutch brasserie, savoring dishes like herring, cheese platters, and poffertjes, while sharing jokes and laughter around the table. Later, they set out to explore Amsterdam’s historic heart. Players wandered along cobblestone streets and over arched bridges, pausing at the Dam Square, the Royal Palace, and the bustling flower market. Many picked up souvenirs for their families, while the youth team, as always, was the liveliest—laughing at each other’s antics as they dodged bicycles and took photos by the canals.

As the night wore on, the group slowly made their way back to the hotel, buzzing with the day’s experiences. The city had left its mark on them all—its canals, its energy, its charm, and its unmistakable love for football.

Once back at the hotel, the players settled into their rooms to rest and recharge. They knew the next day would be lighter in intensity, beginning with a chance to familiarize themselves with the game venue in the afternoon.

Later, a simple training session was scheduled to warm up and fine-tune their preparation before the big match. Excitement mixed with focus filled the air, as everyone understood the importance of balancing exploration with readiness for the challenges ahead.