Dynasty Awakening: Building My Own Football Empire-Chapter 258: Red Card Revolution

However, instead of looking scared, both Vicario and Udogie laughed. It started out with some chuckles, but then it broke out into full side-aching laughter right there in the penalty box.

The referee didn’t know what to do in this situation, but he eventually reminded the players that it was time to play football once again. The two quickly apologized and got back into position.

Michael saw the smiling face of Vicario as he walked back to his goal and couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. Despite everything that happened and the threat of never playing for a top club in Europe again, he was in good spirits.

"That was quite an expression your Manager had." Michael commented from the touchline.

"Haha, yeah wasn’t it fantastic?" Vicario replied, adjusting his gloves.

"But aren’t you worried about what he said at the end?" Michael couldn’t help but ask. Inwardly he felt guilty, sure he might unlock the two stars’ potential, but what good would that be if they were blacklisted by the elite agents?

"I’d rather play in Serie B than play his kind of football." Vicario admitted, going quiet a moment later.

Michael let the keeper’s words simmer in his mind, choosing not to reply as he watched the game restart. The Italian goalkeeper had a big grin on his face as he performed an exaggerated throw and sent the ball blitzing towards the midfield.

’Holy crap!’ Michael cursed inwardly as he saw the ball curve towards Amara at the last moment, causing his winger to completely miss the interception.

’That throw was alive...’ He was shocked, yet inwardly he felt any sign of guilt fade away.

"Nice throw!" Udogie called out, receiving the ball and driving forward.

The next phase of play was a counter-attack to the left wing which seemed to creep away from Barnsley ever so slightly. However, Diego Nunez still managed to get contact on the attacker, fouling him away from the danger zone.

"Heh, this is more like it." Michael remarked, feeling a grin tug at the corners of his lips.

Now that Vicario had cleared his mental block, the saves he made were sharp, no longer like a lifeless ball machine. It was as if he had a complete rebirth.

As if to back up this notion, the next shot that came his way bamboozled the Barnsley strikers greatly. Victor Osimhen had been expecting the keeper to stay on his line, yet he was fooled by the spider-like lunge, mistiming his shot terribly.

"Save! Corner!"

Yet instead of being downcast, Victor sent a thumbs up to Vicario on his way back to position, unable to keep the excitement from his face.

Next up was Son Heung-min. After seeing that they had chosen not to sub him off, his depressed face had been replaced with his usual serious demeanor.

Michael sat down in the dugout and was approached by Arthur Milton.

"It looks like whatever you did worked. Great job Boss." He said, giving Michael a jelly baby.

"Thanks Arthur, but I’m a little worried for those two. I don’t know if you could hear, but the manager was saying that he’d make sure they wouldn’t play for a top club again."

Seeing as Michael had been the one to prompt the rebellion, he thought that he should know all the information.

However, instead of looking worried, Arthur pointed to something within the press box.

"Huh?" Michael moved his attention over and saw the Amazon Prime cameras which were pointed towards the dugout.

"Don’t worry Boss, the whole world saw everything. We even got the unfortunate tantrum that the manager threw before leaving. Once the internet sees the clip, he’ll be a meme forever." Arthur continued, with a cheeky smile.

Michael’s eyes widened in surprise before he let out a hearty laughter. It turned out that he had been worried for nothing. Perhaps Arthur had already thought such a thing would happen, because he certainly did not see the cameras focusing on the bench at the beginning of the game.

"Whistle! Halftime."

Son seemed to suffer the same fate as the others and his missed chance put an end to the first half. Barnsley still led the game 1-0, with Tottenham yet to have scored a goal.

The game continued into the second half, yet it felt as if both teams had entered a new gear. Tottenham played as if everything was on the line, dredging up every bit of energy and heart they could muster in order to claw themselves back into the game.

Udogie stepped up to attack and managed to send a cross sailing over the defense for Richarlison to head towards goal. He almost skipped around the defenders, cheering as if he had just scored the winner.

This made the score 1-1, sending the home fans into a frenzy. With the absence of the Manager’s shouting, they celebrated greatly, sending out hi-5’s and hugs as Richarlison did his pigeon dance.

However, this late rally did not last as Kaito Tanaka on his 4th run sent a screamer past Vicario and increased the lead to 2-1. Vladimir finished off the game with some masterful defending, not even giving up a single inch with Diego’s leading.

Despite losing, the two rebels didn’t seem down. They were busy laughing and carrying on, a content look on their faces as if they had enjoyed every moment of their free reign.

"Thank you Michael. You showed me that football is fun again." Vicario and Udogie approached him, their faces still filled with grins.

Michael couldn’t help but smile back, shaking their hands.

"I hope that we can play each other again in the future. Maybe in the Champions League." He said.

Vicario shook his head, "Didn’t you hear the manager? I’ll probably be sold to a mid-table team in Turkey." Even though he said this, he didn’t seem upset.

Udogie too nodded, a refreshed look upon his face.

Michael couldn’t help but laugh, "What if I told you that the cameras recorded everything and that your Manager is trending on Twitter as ’The Tantrum Toddler’?"

The two went silent as their jaws almost dropped to the floor.

"Y-You can’t be serious... Please tell me you’re not joking." Udogie was the first to speak up, moving closer and grabbing Michael by his suit jacket. The desperation in his face was enough indication of how much he loved playing at the top level.

"I promise. No club will listen to a manager who got laughed out of his own stadium. You’ll be free to continue playing so don’t worry about that."

Udogie dropped to his knees, still clutching Michael’s jacket. It was as if all of the strength had left his body as the wave of relief swept through him.

"Thank you..." Those were the only words that he could mutter before breaking into tears, overwhelmed with emotion.

Vicario seemed a little more reserved but he still came forward and bowed to Michael in thanks.

"You may have won today, but I still feel like we’re winners as well." He smiled gently before picking up his friend and taking him back to the tunnel.

"Let’s meet again in Europe." Michael shouted to them after a while, receiving a wave back in acknowledgment.

DING

Mission Completed.

[Rewards: Chaos Aura (Passive), B-grade Stamina Elixir, Potential Unlocked]

Michael smiled as the notification flashed in his mind. He turned to the away fans who were singing his name.

"Two wins from two," Michael whispered. "The Misfits are flying."

But as he walked down the tunnel, Arthur ran up to him, his face pale.

"Boss," Arthur said, holding his phone. "We have a problem. A big problem."

"What is it Arthur? Did Diego eat the match ball?"

"No Boss. It’s the transfer market. The window closes in 24 hours."

"So?"

"So... PSG just triggered Victor Osimhen’s release clause."

Michael stopped dead in his tracks. The joy of victory vanished instantly.

"Fuck," Michael said.