The Big Day
"Come on Mo, don't fuck this up," I muttered to myself as I prepared myself for the big event. My application had been acknowledged and I had been invited for an interview at my beloved club, Coventry City FC. This was where I was about to make history. Actually, I don't think CCFC received many applicants to be fair, I mean they're nose-deep in crisis, 10 points behind without playing a single game, of course nobody's gonna risk themselves for that job.
Besides, it's not like they've got enough money to pay a manager decently either. No matter what though, Coventry is my home and it's my duty to try and do whatever I can for this place. I sighed as I checked my appearance before I set off from my flat. I'd have to drive more than 30 miles all the way to Northampton for the interview, and if I get the job I'll move there. I slumped into my car and set off towards my destiny.
Sixfields Stadium
The car-park was dotted with a few vehicles here and there, nothing too glamorous. I parked my car in a free slot and walked towards the automatic doors slowly to avoid my legs becoming jelly. If it's a "no", then there's no coming back... I'm just going to keep calm and carry on. I'll find a job somewhere, it doesn't end here at all. I stopped and composed myself. Thinking pessimistically wasn't going to help me at this point, I just wanted to get it over and done with... suspense kills me. I walked through the double doors, before I was directed where to go by the receptionist. A short while later, a man walked out of the interview room with a nervous expression on his face. Rejected, I smirked.
My smirk didn't last too long... it was my turn. It was time I faced my destiny.
"Mo? Would you like to go in?" The receptionist called. I took a deep breath and walked into the interview room, where I was met by a small group of three people sat around a rather large dining table. One of the men immediately stood up and wrung my hand enthusiastically. "Tim Fisher, chairman of Coventry. Nice to meet you Mr. Hawk."
"Nice to meet you too, sir."
"Please, have a seat." He said. Little did I know what was about to occur. "So Mr. Hawk, describe yourself. Tell me more about yourself and why you think you should get the job."
"Well, I was born in Coventry for starters and I grew up supporting this team so I'm a local lad. I think I'm great with money and I'm full of perseverance so you know, I never give up easily--"
"-- very well," Fisher said, cutting me off. "If given the job, you wouldn't have a single penny to spend on transfers and the remaining wage budget would be £625 per week. Would that be sufficient for you to work with?"
"Well, yeah of course. That'd be great." I kept my answer short and sweet so he wouldn't cut me off again.
"You're aware that the club starts off with a 10-point deduction?" He asked, glancing at the man to his right.
"Definitely, sorting that out is a key priority."
"And erm, we don't have any coaches here, so you'll have to work with the players himself or bring some coaches in, we couldn't care less as long as it doesn't hurt the finances. That's that, I think your application and interview were both pretty strong indeed, at least compared to the other applicants. We're willing to pay you £1300 per week for a one-year contract. You'll be a caretaker manager, so don't expect any favours from the board because that's all we can do right now... unless you prove us wrong." Fisher turned around before I could speak, typed something on his laptop and printed a document off.
It was a contract. An official club contract. I had been offered the job... I couldn't believe it, I couldn't even process what had just happened in the room I was that amazed. This guy had only read a short fact-file about me before I arrived and had only spoken to me for 5 minutes at the most. In a way, it was shocking how the board didn't negotiate with me at all but that's all what a caretaker manager is I suppose. Desperate, I sighed to myself.
And the contract, did I sign it? Fuck yeah I did.
