Glory Of The Football Manager System

Chapter 106: The Final Assessment II

For the final part of the session, I organized a small-sided game. I split the players into two teams and gave them a simple instruction: "Go and play. Show me what you’ve learned. Express yourselves. Take risks. Make mistakes. That’s how you get better."

It was beautiful. They played with a freedom, a creativity, a joy that was infectious. They were trying things, they were taking risks, they were playing with a smile on their faces.

It was everything I believed football should be. It was fast, it was fluid, it was full of movement and rotation. It was a joy to watch. I felt a surge of pride as I watched them play, a sense of satisfaction that went beyond just passing an exam. This was what coaching was all about. This was why I did it.

When I blew the final whistle, the players applauded. They were tired, they were sweating, but they were happy. They had enjoyed it. They had learned something.

"Thanks, lads," I said. "You were brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."

I walked over to the assessors, my heart in my mouth. Mike Phelan looked at me, his expression unreadable. He consulted his notes, then looked up.

"Well, Walsh," he said, his voice a low rumble. "That was... impressive."

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

"You’ve got a real talent for this, son," he continued, a rare smile touching his lips. "A natural feel for the game. You connect with the players. You make it fun, but you also make them better. That’s the mark of a good coach. You’ve got a big future ahead of you."

He shook my hand. "We’ll have your results by this afternoon. But between you and me... you’ve passed."

I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. I wanted to run around the pitch like a madman. Instead, I just nodded, my throat too tight to speak.

sir,"

the lecture theatre for the final time. Mike Phelan stood at the front, a stack

Some were pale with nerves, others were trying to look confident. I saw Carl give me a thumbs-up. I saw Graham give me a nervous smile. We were all in this together, a band of brothers who had been through the trenches

past two weeks," he said,

exceeded expectations. Some of you have fallen short. But all of you have learned something. All of you have grown as coaches. This course is designed to challenge you, to push you to your limits.

opened them with disappointment etched on their features, their dreams deferred. I watched Carl open his envelope and

"Walsh," he called.

my legs shaking.

son," he said quietly. "Distinction. One of the highest

was a certificate. My UEFA B Licence. And next to my

wave of

I could do it. I was no longer a non-league kid who had got lucky. I was a qualified coach with a distinction

clapped me on the back as I returned to my seat. "Knew

leaned over. "Drinks on you tonight,

"Yeah, alright. Drinks

on achievement and cheap beer, swapping contact details and promising

game that had brought us all together. We were a motley crew of coaches from all over

Walshy!" Carl shouted, raising his pint. "The non-league kid who showed us

a warmth in my chest that had nothing to do with the alcohol.