The Coaching System

The season was over.

Bradford had survived by a single point, pulling off a miracle in their final match.

But Jake wasn't celebrating.

He didn't have time to.

Because now, the real work began.

Bradford City had spent the entire season fighting for survival. Next season, that wasn't good enough. They weren't going to play for scraps.

They were going to fight for promotion.

And to do that, the squad had to change.

The clear-out was about to begin.

Jake arrived at the training ground early, walking straight to his office.

A blue screen flickered in his vision as soon as he sat down.

[Ding! Season Over – Squad Evaluation in Progress.]

[Analyzing Player Performances…]

[Recommended Action: Sell 7 First-Team Players for Squad Revamp.]

Jake glanced at the list the system provided.

James Holbrook – Captain, 30, CM

Ben Holden – Striker, 29

Callum Price – CB, 31

Scott Williams – Midfielder, 28

Nathan Taylor – Winger, 27

Aaron Reece – Fullback, 30

David Barnett – Goalkeeper, 32

Jake exhaled slowly.

Seven first-team players. Seven players who had played week in, week out. Seven players who had helped Bradford stay up.

But Jake knew the truth.

They weren't good enough.

If Bradford wanted to fight for promotion, they couldn't rely on sentiment. They needed youth, energy, and tactical intelligence.

Some of these players had been at the club for years.

And some, like Holbrook, weren't going to leave quietly.

Jake didn't care.

The decision was made.

Later that afternoon, the press conference room was packed.

It had been a while since Jake had seen this many journalists in one place. The survival miracle had put him in the spotlight. Now, everyone wanted to know what came next.

Jake took his seat at the table, adjusting the microphone. The media officer nodded at him.

The questions began immediately.

"Jake, congratulations on securing survival. Now that the season is over, what's your plan moving forward?"

Jake leaned in. "Promotion into league two."

A murmur spread through the room.

Some reporters scribbled in their notepads. Others exchanged glances, surprised by how direct he was.

"So, you're aiming for promotion to League Two next season?"

"Yes," Jake said without hesitation. "Survival isn't good enough. This club belongs in the Football League. That's the goal. And we start working on that today."

The next question came quickly.

"What does that mean for the current squad? Are there going to be major changes?"

Jake nodded. "Yes. We'll be making adjustments. Some players will be leaving. Some new players will be coming in."

Then came the moment he had been waiting for.

"We've heard rumors that you're selling James Holbrook. Can you confirm?"

Jake didn't blink. "Yes. Holbrook has been a great servant to the club, but he doesn't fit my system. We'll be looking to move him on this summer."

The room exploded.

Reporters shouted over each other.

"Holbrook is the captain! Why sell him?"

"Are you forcing him out?"

"What about the fans? They love him!"

Jake waited until the noise died down. Then he spoke, his voice calm but firm.

"This isn't about individuals. It's about the team. My job is to build a squad capable of winning promotion. I make decisions based on that. Nothing else."

Another journalist raised a hand.

"It's not just Holbrook, though, is it? Reports suggest you're selling seven first-team players. Can you confirm?"

Jake didn't hesitate. "Yes."

A stunned silence filled the room.

Then, chaos.

"Seven players? That's half your starting eleven!"

"A complete rebuild? Are you serious?"

"Aren't you taking too many risks?"

Jake leaned back in his chair. "I'm doing what needs to be done."

Some of the journalists looked like they couldn't believe what they were hearing.

One of them shook his head. "You just survived relegation, and now you're selling your best players?"

Jake smirked. "I'm selling players who helped us survive. I need players who will help us win."

The press conference lasted another twenty minutes, but the message was clear.

Bradford City was about to change.

And not everyone was happy about it.

The next morning, the backlash arrived.

Jake sat at his desk, scrolling through the latest headlines.

"Wilson Ripping Apart Bradford City – Madness or Genius?" – The Daily Football Post

"Seven First-Team Players to Leave – Is Wilson Destroying the Squad?" – The Guardian Sport

"Holbrook Forced Out – Fans in Revolt!" – The Bradford Gazette

Online, it was even worse.

On the club's official website, the forums were filled with complaints.

"Holbrook IS Bradford City! This is insane!"

"Wilson is ruining the club!"

"Why fix what isn't broken? He's power-hungry!"

The fan backlash was predictable.

People didn't like change.

But Jake wasn't here to make friends.

He was here to win.

The door to his office opened, and Paul Roberts walked in, arms crossed.

"You really set a fire, boss."

Jake didn't look up from his screen. "I told the truth."

Paul sighed. "You could've handled it better."

"Could I?"

"You just told the entire world you're selling half the squad. The players still here—what do you think they're thinking now?"

"They're thinking they need to prove they belong," Jake said simply.

Paul chuckled. "You're a stubborn bastard, you know that?"

Jake finally looked up. "I've been told."

A blue screen flashed before his eyes.

[Ding! Board Confidence: +10]

[Ding! Fans' Trust: -15]

Jake exhaled.

The board backed him.

The fans didn't.

It didn't matter.

Because by the time next season started, they would.

And that was all that mattered.