The Coaching System

Crystal Palace Offer -

Jake sat across from Henry Lowe, the Bradford chairman, in the boardroom at Valley Parade. The office was quiet, the weight of the moment settling between them.

"I'm staying," Jake said simply.

Lowe leaned back in his chair, studying Jake's face. He had expected hesitation, maybe even negotiation. But there was none. Just certainty.

"You're sure?" Lowe asked, his voice steady but laced with curiosity.

Jake nodded. "I didn't come here to leave when things got interesting. I have a project, and I'm not done."

Lowe exhaled, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk. "I won't lie to you, Jake. I thought you might take it. A Premier League club, a massive contract, the chance to compete at the highest level… Not many would turn that down."

Jake smirked, leaning forward slightly. "I thought about it. Anyone would. But we're not finished here. There's still work to do."

Lowe studied him for another moment, then smiled. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear."

He reached into a drawer, pulled out a document, and slid it across the table.

"Then let's make it official. Three years, £35K per week. Full backing in the transfer market. We keep building."

Jake picked up the pen without hesitation. "Let's build something special."

As soon as he walked out of the room, his phone lit up with notifications.

📰 BBC SPORT: "Jake Wilson STAYS at Bradford! The young manager commits to the project despite Premier League interest."

📰 BRADFORD MAIL: "Our Gaffer Stays! Wilson snubs Premier League for unfinished business at Valley Parade!"

But the real reaction came from the Fan Café.

🔹 "This man is a legend. He's actually staying!"

🔹 "I respect the loyalty, but will he ever get another chance at the Prem?"

🔹 "If he wins League One, the big clubs will come back anyway."

🔹 "This is the best news ever. He's one of us now."

Jake scrolled through the comments, letting them sink in.

He could've had the Premier League, the money, the fame.

But he wasn't in this for that.

He didn't reject Crystal Palace for attention.

He did it because he wasn't done here.

Carter & Thompson's Transfer Request

Jake barely had time to process his own decision before two of his most important players requested private meetings.

First came Ryan Carter.

The midfielder walked in, looking conflicted.

"Gaffer, Monaco's offer is a dream," Carter admitted. "I want to take it."

Jake sighed but nodded. He had seen this coming.

"You've been one of our best players," Jake said. "If this is what you want, I won't stand in your way."

Carter exhaled, looking relieved. "Thank you."

Next came Joe Thompson.

"Portugal is a fresh challenge for me," Thompson said. "I think it's time."

Jake leaned back in his chair. "You've been here since the beginning. If this is your move, I respect it."

Both deals were now in motion.

Monaco returned with an improved bid—£7M for Carter.

Thompson's Portugal move was close to completion for £1.5M.

Jake immediately called Michael Stone.

"Start talking with their agents and clubs," Jake instructed.

"Got it," Stone replied. "I'll make sure we get the best deals."

Jake hung up.

Two key players were leaving.

Preseason Press Conference –

The media room at Valley Parade was packed. Journalists from national outlets, local newspapers, and even a few international reporters had gathered. The lights from the cameras flashed as Jake took his seat at the front.

He adjusted the microphone in front of him. This was his first major press conference since rejecting Crystal Palace. Everyone wanted answers.

The first question came immediately.

🗣 "Jake, you rejected the Crystal Palace offer. Why?"

Jake didn't hesitate. His voice was calm, measured.

"Simple. I have a project here. I'm not finished yet."

A few murmurs rippled through the room. Reporters scribbled notes. They had expected a longer answer, maybe even regret. But there was none.

The next question followed.

🗣 "How do you feel about Carter and Thompson leaving?"

Jake nodded slightly, acknowledging the importance of the question.

"They've earned the right to make their decisions," Jake said. "Both of them have done a lot for this club. We respect their choices, and now our job is to move on without them."

His tone made it clear—there were no hard feelings. But there was also no time for sentimentality. Bradford had to move forward.

A journalist from BBC Sport leaned forward.

🗣 "What are your goals for this season?"

Jake didn't lean back. He didn't deflect. Instead, he leaned forward, looking directly at the reporters.

"To win it."

A slight pause. The journalists glanced at each other, some raising their eyebrows.

Jake let the words settle. He wasn't just talking about survival in League One. He wasn't here to just compete.

He was here to win the entire thing.

The energy in the room shifted. The Bradford Mail journalist spoke up next.

🗣 "Are there more signings coming?"

Jake smirked. "Absolutely."

He didn't elaborate. He didn't need to. The message was clear—Bradford were not done strengthening.

The room buzzed.

Bradford City weren't just aiming for survival.

They were aiming for the title.

First Preseason training –

The sun hung high over the training ground in Saudi Arabia, casting long shadows as Jake stood on the sideline, arms folded. The air was thick with heat, but his players didn't slow down. Every pass, every sprint, every tackle carried intensity.

The first preseason match was just days away—a test against Al Nassr, one of the biggest teams in the region. A club filled with world-class talent, experience, and physicality.

Bradford wasn't here for a vacation. They were here to prepare for war.

Jake's eyes scanned the squad as they worked.

Silva was sharp, weaving past defenders with quick footwork.

Okafor shouted instructions between saves, keeping his backline alert.

Min-jae and Barnes formed a solid pairing at center-back, already reading each other's movements.

And in the middle of it all, Julián Rojas, their Colombian playmaker, controlled the tempo.

The young midfielder had just arrived from his loan spell, but he already moved with confidence. Bradford had signed him for moments like these—to bring creativity and composure to their midfield.

Jake let them train without interruption. There was no official starting eleven announcement yet. That wasn't the focus.

Right now, it was about fitness, chemistry, and proving yourself.

The upcoming match wasn't just a friendly.

It was a warning shot.

Bradford City weren't here to make up the numbers in League One.

They were here to dominate.