"I'll need to identify targets early," he said. "Good players get snapped up quickly."
"David can help with that," Markus replied. "He has contacts at other academies."
David pushed his glasses up. "I keep a database of promising players. Updated weekly."
"Perfect." Maddox closed his notebook. "I think that covers everything for now."
Everyone stood up. The meeting had lasted ninety minutes. Maddox felt more confident about his staff and the club's direction.
"Lunch is in fifteen minutes," Sophia said.
"Good. We should get something to eat."
The staff filed out of the conference room. Maddox stayed behind for a moment, collecting his thoughts. The transfer budget was tight, but not impossible. He'd worked with nothing before.
His phone buzzed. A text from Elira.
"How's the first day going? You've got this! Love you."
Maddox smiled and typed back: "Going well. Staff meeting done. About to meet the players properly."
"Exciting! Tell me everything tonight."
