The Coaching System-Chapter 70: The Aftermath of the Semi-Final Victory

Celebrations & Emotions

The final whistle had barely blown before Valley Parade erupted into absolute chaos.

Bradford had done it.

6-1 on aggregate. A ruthless display. A statement to the rest of the league.

The players collapsed onto the pitch, some on their knees, some embracing each other, others running straight to the fans.

The crowd was deafening—chants of "WE'RE GOING UP!" echoed through the night sky.

Silva jumped onto Collins' back, laughing.

Carter fist-pumped toward the roaring supporters.

Jake?

He stood still for a moment, hands in his pockets, simply watching.

As soon as they entered the dressing room, it was pure madness.

Champagne bottles were popped open.

Music blasted through the speakers.

Players danced, shouted, and celebrated like they had already won the title.

Collins (grinning): "Six goals? We're unstoppable, man!"

Silva (laughing): "Did you see that bicycle kick?! I should be in the highlight reel forever!"

Thompson (smirking at Jake): "Hey boss, did I surprise you with that goal or what?"

Jake chuckled, shaking his head.

Jake (calmly): "You surprised the whole damn league, Thompson."

The players cheered again.

But as the celebrations continued, Jake's mind was already shifting.

This wasn't the end.

They still had one more job to do.

As the noise from the locker room continued, Jake received a text message from the chairman.

CHAIRMAN: "Congratulations, Jake. What you've done for this club is incredible. One more win, and you'll make history."

Jake exhaled.

He knew what this meant.

Bradford hadn't played in League One for years.

This wasn't just about winning a match.

This was about rewriting the club's future.

He put his phone away, straightened his blazer, and walked back into the locker room.

Jake (raising his voice): "Enjoy this, boys. But remember—this is NOT the final."

The room quieted slightly.

Jake (firmly): "You want to celebrate properly? You want to become legends?"

"Win the next game."

The players nodded, the seriousness settling in.

The job wasn't done yet.

Post-Match Press Conference

The stadium was still buzzing. Fans were chanting outside, refusing to leave. Inside the press room, reporters had already taken their seats, eager to get Jake's thoughts after Bradford's 5-0 demolition of MK Dons.

Jake walked in, composed, but with a hint of satisfaction on his face.

The cameras flashed. The murmurs stopped.

It was time to talk.

🗣 "Jake, congratulations on the victory! How do you feel after such a dominant performance?"

Jake (leaning into the mic): "Thank you. It was a fantastic performance from the lads. We knew the job wasn't done after the first leg, and tonight, they showed exactly why we deserve to be in the final."

🗣 "Did you expect to win by such a big margin?"

Jake (smirking slightly): "Football is unpredictable. You never go into a game expecting five goals. But we were confident in our preparation. We knew if we executed our game plan, we'd create chances. Credit to the players—they delivered."

🗣 "Silva's bicycle kick was the highlight of the night. Where does that rank among the best goals you've seen?"

Jake (chuckling): "I've seen a lot of great goals, but that one? That was special. You don't teach that. That's pure instinct, pure ability. The fact he even attempted it shows the kind of confidence he's playing with right now."

Reporter (following up): "Did you expect him to try something like that?"

Jake (laughing): "With Silva? You expect anything."

The room erupts into light laughter.

🗣 "Your team seems to be peaking at the right time. Does this make you favorites for the final?"

Jake (firmly): "Favorites don't win finals. Hard work does. And we have one more job to do."

His tone is serious now.

Jake (continuing): "Notts County are a strong side. They've been in the top three all season for a reason. We'll need to be at our absolute best to win."

🗣"Notts County is known for their defensive structure. How will you approach the final?"

Jake (grinning slightly): "If you think I'm giving that away, you must be new here."

(Room erupts in laughter.)

Jake (more serious): "We'll analyze them, we'll prepare, and when the time comes, we'll be ready."

🗣 "You're 90 minutes away from taking Bradford City to League One. What would it mean for this club?"

Jake (pausing for a moment): "It would mean everything. The fans, the players, the staff—everyone has worked so hard for this moment. We're not there yet, but we're close. And we'll give everything to make it happen."

🗣 "Final question—if you could send one message to the Bradford fans before the final, what would it be?"

Jake (looking directly into the cameras):

"Get ready. We're going to Wembley."

The room erupts in murmurs. Cameras flash.

Jake stands up, nods once, and walks out.

The message was clear.

One more win.

And Bradford City would be in League One.

As Jake stepped into his office, wiping champagne off his sleeve, his laptop screen flashed with a familiar sound.

[Ding! New Analysis Available]

"Opponent: Notts County – Elite in big matches, strong defensive structure."

Jake immediately leaned forward, scanning the details.

Notts County finished 6th in League Two.

They had the second-best defense in the league.

They thrived in high-pressure games and had experienced veterans in key positions.

Strengths:

Organized backline – difficult to break down.

Disciplined midfield – presses hard to disrupt play.

Lethal on set-pieces – one of the best dead-ball teams in the league.

Weaknesses:

Slow center-backs – struggle against fast wingers.

Vulnerable to high pressing – forced errors when pressured quickly.

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Depend heavily on one playmaker – shut him down, and their creativity suffers.

Jake cracked his knuckles.

"They're strong. But not unbeatable."

He had four days to find the perfect game plan.

As he closed the laptop, he already knew one thing for sure.

Bradford were going to be ready.

Late Night –

The streets were quiet when Jake finally pulled into the driveway. The celebrations at Valley Parade had lasted for hours, the adrenaline still lingering in his veins, but now?

Now, it was just him and the silence of the night.

He pushed the door open, stepping inside.

Warm lights, the scent of lavender in the air.

From the living room, his wife, Emily, looked up from the couch, a soft smile forming as she saw him.

Emily (smirking): "The legend himself finally comes home."

Jake chuckled, dropping his bag by the door. His body was exhausted, but his mind was still buzzing.

Jake (grinning): "You watched?"

Emily (mocking): "Watched? Babe, I had to mute the commentary because they wouldn't stop hyping you up. 'Jake Wilson's tactical masterclass!' 'Bradford's miracle worker!'"

She got up, walking over, her hands sliding over his shoulders.

Emily (softly): "I'm proud of you, you know."

Jake (exhaling, finally relaxing): "One more to go."

Emily (whispering): "One more… but for now, you're home."

She leaned in, pressing her lips softly against his, and for the first time all day, Jake let go of football.

There was no press. No tactics. No system alerts.

Just him and the woman who had been there through every rise, every fall, every damn struggle.

She grabbed his hand, leading him upstairs.

Emily (grinning): "Now, let's celebrate properly."

Jake smirked, following her.

Tonight?

Football could wait.