Chapter 17: He Has Yet to Reach the Level of a Genius
After the match, Ten Hag gave an interview at Utrecht’s home ground, Galgenwaard Stadium.
Click! Click! Click-click!
The press conference was lively, with photographers giving Ten Hag exceptional attention, their flashes so frequent that the Dutchman could hardly keep his eyes open.
“Erik, the player wearing number 99 who provided that assist in the final moments today— we understand he was just promoted from the second team. Did you bring him up to the first team because you see potential for focused development?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“We’ve heard he’s made some impressive passes in second-team warm-up matches as well. Would you say… he’s a prodigy?”
“A prodigy?”
Ten Hag raised an eyebrow. “Tang is very talented, but he hasn’t reached prodigy level yet.”
“How do you explain that pass today then?”
“Oh, that pass? That’s the result of training.”
Smiling, Ten Hag faced the reporters: “After Tang’s promotion to the first team, I designed a special training program for him. This plan helped him develop much better passing skills.”
Ah?
The reporters exchanged glances.
So that pass wasn’t some innate genius burst but the outcome of targeted coaching!
Ten Hag!
A masterful coach with real ability!
...
“Assist clinches victory over Groningen: The prodigy returns!”
“Only delivers heavenly passes—Utrecht coach Ten Hag takes credit for Tang Ye’s passing!”
“Two match-winning assists in four rounds: Utrecht officially enters the Ten Hag era!”
The fourth round of matches brought Tang Ye into the spotlight among more Chinese fans, who were greatly amazed by the young prodigy.
At sixteen years old, playing in the Eredivisie, he had two appearances as a substitute during garbage time, with one assist and two interceptions.
Thanks to his outstanding performance, Tang Ye successfully entered the first team’s dining hall.
Just as remembered, the first team’s cafeteria offered at least three times the variety of dishes compared to the second team’s.
Tang Ye sat down to eat with Amrabat; both had been promoted from the second team, so they shared many common topics.
“Hey, Tang!”
Alireza approached holding his tray. “Can I sit here?”
“Sure, no problem, have a seat.”
Tang Ye scooted in slightly to make room.
Alireza sipped some grapefruit juice without eating and expressed gratitude: “Tang, that pass of yours was fantastic, really fantastic. I didn’t expect you could place the ball so perfectly. Wow, unbelievable.”
Being praised by the captain like that made Tang Ye a bit shy.
“You must train hard from now on.”
Alireza rested his hand on Tang Ye’s shoulder, speaking earnestly: “You need to compete with Erik for a starting spot. Know that I’m not just praising your passing—I’m thinking about your future. Tang, you’re only sixteen; this is the time to work hardest!”
“I’ve been trying my best.”
“But it seemed like you were late to training today, is that true?”
“Uh, I’m trying not to be late—that’s also an effort.”
“…”
...
Two weeks before Utrecht’s next match against Vitesse, Tang Ye took the opportunity to return to China.
Due to his age, he couldn’t obtain a Dutch work visa, which meant he held a Dutch tourist visa valid for only three months.
Every three months, he had to return to China to renew the visa before coming back to Utrecht for training.
It was a cumbersome process, but until Tang turned eighteen, he had to comply unless he gave up on playing abroad.
Since his stay would be brief, Tang Ye didn’t bring a suitcase—just a Nike backpack provided by a sponsor.
“Lecong, thank you.”
Tang Ye tossed his backpack onto the seat beside him and told the driver the address, preparing to sleep.
However, the driver began a conversation.
“You look about fifteen or sixteen, traveling alone by plane. Are you an international student?”
The airport terminal was divided into domestic and international sections, so the driver knew Tang had just come from abroad.
“No, I play football overseas.”
“Football? Soccer, huh?”
The driver had assumed Tang was a student abroad, but upon hearing he played soccer overseas, his interest waned instantly: “Football has no future. It’s 2015 now. The hot field is IT—that’s computers, you know, computers.”
“I know a little. Seems pretty impressive, but I can’t figure it out.”
Tang Ye had studied junior middle school courses at a sports school in China before going to the Netherlands. There, he attended a high school cooperating with Utrecht, only needing to go two days a week on weekends.
He took four subjects: Dutch, Math, Physics, and Chemistry—Computer Science wasn’t included.
“You should decide early if you want to change direction. A friend of mine’s kid has a master’s in computer science, starting salary over 300,000 yuan!”
The driver shared his experience from an insider’s perspective.
If Tang played football professionally, unless in the Chinese Super League, he wouldn’t reach such a salary elsewhere.
Moreover, computer work is intellectual labor, which commands respect.
“Hmm, it’s okay. No rush, I’ll think it over slowly.”
Tang Ye put on his headphones and stopped chatting.
Around one in the afternoon, Tang Ye returned home. Since he hadn’t informed his family in advance, his mother’s expression was a mix of surprise and confusion when she ran into him at the door.
Seeing Tang Ye with his backpack, Zhang Qingqing quickly took it from him and struggled to find her phone: “Ah, Zhengxiong, come down quickly! Come down! Your son’s back!”
“Uh, Tang Ye, Tang Ye…”
Zhang Qingqing casually put the backpack on the floor and hugged Tang Ye tightly, the keys in her hand jingling nonstop.
“I’m coming, I’m coming!”
Three minutes later, Tang Zhengxiong’s voice sounded from above. Running fast, he lost his slippers on the way: “Hey, wait, wait a minute!”
After slipping on his slippers, Tang Zhengxiong faced Tang Ye: “Tang Ye, uh, you’ve grown taller!”
“Seems like I have a bit.”
Tang Ye scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed: “Um… I’m only staying for one day.”
“One day? Why?”
Tang Zhengxiong’s smile suddenly froze. Tang Ye sighed: “I’m now in the first team. The new coach only gave me five days to renew my visa. I have to leave tomorrow afternoon.”
“What the hell???”
Frowning, Tang Zhengxiong was a little angry at the coach’s strictness: “Hey, Qingqing, pack up. Let’s go out for a bit and have dinner together tonight.”
“Ah, I still have work.”
Zhang Qingqing pointed to her bunch of keys—roughly sixty or seventy. “I haven’t collected last month’s or this month’s fees yet. I probably won’t be back until eight or nine tonight.”
“It’s okay, it’s not urgent. Let’s take our son out first.”
“But I told them I’d collect money today.”
Tang Zhengxiong waved his hand: “We’ll celebrate today. Just waive their fees for tonight.”
Saying that, he ruffled Tang Ye’s shoulder: “Damn, you’ve definitely grown. Amazing. You’re almost taller than me now!”
...