When everyone thought the meaning of the management's actions was merely to replace players who had been promoted through connections and were not striving for improvement, what he actually had in mind was a complete overhaul of the entire higher echelon.
Glancing at the people around him, Cao Baiming spoke in a calm tone.
"We can start by replacing a group of people today, beginning with Li Gang. It's simple: if he wants me to continue with the national team, then Li Gang cannot stay."
At this, Li Gang suddenly jolted as if struck.
"You, what did you say?"
The rest of the group was also stunned by Cao Baiming's words. They couldn't imagine such statements coming from a player.
However, from the perspective of the higher-ups, Li Gang was truly dispensable if they wanted to achieve good results in the future, whereas Cao Baiming was indispensable. This was evident even to someone who knew nothing about football.
"We're out for dinner, there's no need to talk about this now…"
Others began to interject, trying to dissuade him. Li Gang had gotten to his position through connections, and everyone knew how much money he had pocketed, yet no one had ever spoken up about it.
"Seeing your hesitation, sigh, alright. I'll withdraw from the national team after this meal."
"No, no, wait… Li Gang, you don't need to come to work tomorrow!" The senior leader sitting in the middle personally decreed, his connections no longer holding sway.
"Wha… what?" Li Gang was clearly unprepared.
All of this was being secretly recorded, and what followed was an even more electrifying environment.
These higher-ups were now forced to ponder their own importance. It was crucial to press their advantage and seize more power, paving the way for future plans.
At this moment, no one could really eat, but they were engrossed in watching this unfolding drama.
"Since everyone is here, I have a few suggestions for the future of Tang Nation's football…"
These leaders began to feel they had no other choice but to continue listening. After all, everyone was looking out for their own interests. What Cao Baiming was saying didn't seem to exploit their interests too much. On the contrary, if Cao Baiming truly had the guts to withdraw from the national team entirely, that would be a disaster.
Regardless of whether there was any hope for the next tournament, given the fervent adoration the fans had for him, they would surely tear down the Football Association if they knew about this.
The higher-ups nodded repeatedly, remaining silent, only wishing Cao Baiming would finish speaking quickly.
"For my final point, I require one power: regardless of who it is, whether in youth training or the senior team's roster selection, even the selection of the coaching staff, everything must pass through me. I want to personally screen them."
Upon hearing this, the venerable leaders exchanged glances, speechless.
As expected, he saved the bombshell for last!
Hearing this demand, the higher-ups finally stopped nodding, because such a request could not be granted lightly!
But at this very moment, Cao Baiming's gaze was firm, his expression calm and confident. He knew in his heart that to realize his plan, he had to secure this power first.
After a few seconds, seeing that one of the leaders seemed to show a hint of willingness to compromise, Cao Baiming quickly pressed his advantage and initiated further conversation.
And so, this demand was ultimately agreed to.
Although no written agreement was signed, Cao Baiming was still very satisfied.
Would these people go back on their word? The answer was a hundred percent yes!
Even if a written agreement were signed now, with so many people watching in the room, they could easily backtrack, which was why they agreed so readily.
However, all of this had been recorded. With the full video recording, even if it wasn't live, it could eventually be released to the public.
What could be more useful than this?
After the spectacle of Cao Baiming debating with the magnates concluded, everyone remained unsettled for a long time.
Today, they had witnessed a grand event.
For the ordinary players who had no say in the matter, they were merely spectators to a clash of titans.
There were indeed a few individuals in the football team who had reached their current positions through their own hard work. They had come with dreams, and these were things Cao Baiming had often contemplated.
However, even if they were given ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare to speak out directly like this. Seeing Cao Baiming speak out today, they felt an unusual sense of exhilaration!
This leader, indeed, they had not followed the wrong person!
After the meeting dispersed, Cao Baiming went to the parking lot alone. Even his close friends dared not approach him for a conversation, as they were unsure if Cao Baiming had already considered removing them as well.
With the joy of successfully completing his mission, Cao Baiming found the young man he had previously asked to film the event and gave him a tip.
The tip was neither too much nor too little, exactly one hundred thousand yuan.
Upon receiving this money, the young man truly understood the concept of the wealth gap. He would not have earned this amount in a year of hard work.
How many people dreamed of encountering an opportunity on the street to directly help the wealthy!
After everything was concluded, Cao Baiming did not rush back to the club. Instead, he decided to go home and rest first. As for a sweeping purge, there was no need to rush.
In fact, he already had a plan in mind, and had even identified some individuals. They were star players from amateur teams, possessing exceptional talent that was immediately apparent, and in addition, they were very hardworking.
They loved football and dedicated themselves to the sport simply for enjoyment. They didn't treat football as a profession, but rather as a hobby, because, from beginning to end, they never considered relying on it to make money.
With this sentiment in mind, Cao Baiming started his car and drove towards his villa.
His email was already filled with blessings and condolences from his friends. Now that he finally had some leisure time, he could go through them.
Messi, Vieira, Nelsen, Gallas, Neymar… there were a total of 596 emails.
Interestingly, by just looking at the opening sentence, one could tell whether a friend truly understood him.
If the first sentence was a congratulation, wishing him success in winning the runner-up title, then they were definitely not true friends. If they were true friends, the first sentence of the email sent at this time should not be a congratulation, but rather an expression of regret and comfort.
They would know that Cao Baiming had no intention of settling for just a runner-up title when he participated in the World Cup. He was someone who strived for the best in everything.
This evening, he would enjoy a quiet rest alone.