Hecking's outburst wasn't without reason.
Wolfsburg's defense isn't actually bad.
After twenty-one rounds of the Bundesliga, they've only conceded 25 goals.
An average of 1.2 goals conceded per game is a statistic that ranks among the League's best.
However, what Hecking truly wanted to criticize wasn't the goals conceded, but the team's concentration in the first half and their slow start.
Lack of focus and a slow start meant the team was always caught off guard by their opponents, who would score first.
This always put the team in a difficult position, forcing them to fight to equalize or even overturn the score.
So, why not go all out from the start, secure a lead, and then play with more ease?!
Of course, a comeback victory is inherently a great morale booster.
After pointing out the team's sluggish start, Hecking changed his tone and praised their resilient spirit of not giving up when behind.
Hecking is also very adept at the management tactic of giving a stick and then a carrot...
For Mark Lane, Hecking is a very pragmatic head coach who treats every player fairly, with clear rewards and punishments.
As long as he trains hard and plays seriously, he will notice his performance and give him opportunities.
If he is dissatisfied with any aspect of him, he will also speak frankly, not leaving the player confused as to why he has fallen out of favor.
As a player, Mark Lane also likes to work with such a straightforward head coach.
After showering, the Wolfsburg players boarded the green and white team bus and returned to Wolfsburg.
After saying goodbye to his teammates and heading to the parking lot to go home, Mark Lane received a phone call.
Seeing the unknown caller ID, Mark Lane didn't think much of it and answered directly:
"Hello."
"Is this Mark Lane?"
"It is, and you are?"
"I'm Müller from Sports 360 company..."
"Sports 360? What can I do for you?"
"Well, Mr. Struth wants to meet with you to discuss your agent contract."
"Struth? Who's that?"
Hearing this, the guy on the other end of the phone couldn't help but curl his lip.
This kid doesn't even know Mr. Struth; he's too uninformed...
Helplessly, he had to introduce himself:
"Mr. Struth is the owner of our company. Our company represents Bundesliga stars like Götze, Reus, and Kroos. We are Germany's largest sports agency..."
"Alright, and then what?"
"Mr. Struth hopes you can come to the company tomorrow for a detailed discussion."
The other party's suggestion made Mark Lane frown.
"Okay, tomorrow's my day off anyway. What time?"
"Mr. Struth is available to meet with you tomorrow morning at ten."
"Ten then."
After hanging up the phone, Mark Lane pulled out his car keys and opened the car door.
On the way home, he started to ponder.
This sudden call didn't surprise him.
Ever since he gained a little fame with his spectacular goals in the German Cup, he had officially entered the sights of various forces in German football.
Media reports had further cemented his reputation as a rising star.
He just hadn't expected that it would be a football bigwig like Struth who would seek him out.
However, this was enough to prove that these agents had a keen eye.
Even though he hadn't yet started a single game for Wolfsburg, the talent he displayed in his numerous substitute appearances was enough to impress everyone.
It wasn't surprising that the top agent in the Bundesliga had taken an interest in him.
These days, football prodigies are hot commodities.
Especially those rising stars not yet widely known, their value is like an untapped mine.
Or like an unscratched lottery ticket.
Signing these rising stars or lottery tickets for a small fee, and then cultivating them further or transferring them for substantial commissions, are standard practices for agencies.
Even more, the process of transporting South American players to Europe has been turned into a human trafficking business!
And considering he needed to focus on the pitch, finding an agent to handle his off-field affairs was also necessary.
After all, professional matters should be handled by professionals.
However, this top agent in the Bundesliga was too arrogant.
Just having his subordinate call me and he expects me to come to his company for a meeting?
I'm not some small fry who can be called at will.
However, what he didn't expect was that there was more than one professional who sought him out...
As he drove back to his apartment and parked his car, a stout man wearing a black down jacket and exquisite small sunglasses suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Hello, Mr. Lane."
Looking at the stout man in front of him, Mark Lane felt a strange sense of familiarity.
He seemed to have seen him somewhere before.
"Hello, sir... You look familiar."
Hearing this, the stout man couldn't help but take off the round sunglasses that didn't suit his face at all, revealing the face that countless fans remembered deeply:
"I am Mino Raiola, an agent!"
Raiola?!
He never expected that Raiola, the one dubbed a "vampire" by clubs and fans, would be standing right in front of him like this!
From the change in Mark Lane's expression, Raiola knew that he recognized him.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Raiola. But how did you know my address?"
Facing Mark Lane's question, Raiola just smiled slightly and spread his hands: "As an agent, my friends are all over the world..."
"So, what is the purpose of a big shot like you personally coming here?"
Mark Lane's directness didn't surprise Raiola.
"That's not urgent. How about we go for a coffee first?"
Mark Lane didn't refuse, and simply went with Raiola to a nearby cafe.
After ordering coffee, the two sat opposite each other.
"Mark Lane, may I call you that?"
"No problem."
"I watched your game in Berlin today."
At these words, Mark Lane's eyebrows immediately shot up.
He personally came to Berlin to watch his game, and then returned to Wolfsburg before him to wait for him?!
Compared to a certain top Bundesliga agent who only had his subordinate call him to meet at the company, this Raiola truly showed full sincerity...
"So, you want to sign me?"
"That depends on our conversation going forward."
After a pause, Raiola smiled slightly and then said:
"For every player I meet, I ask him one question..."
"What do you want most?"
Meeting Raiola's gaze, Mark Lane pondered for a moment, then answered decisively:
"Championships and the Ballon d'Or!"
He was once just an ordinary fan who watched those star players on TV, and also an ordinary person who played two casual matches a week.
Reborn and given the opportunity to embark on the path of professional football, Mark Lane would certainly not miss such a precious chance to live freely.
What's more, with the cheat he possesses, why would he be scared?!
He wants to challenge all the 'dual GOATs' and 'superstars'!
If he's going to fight, he'll fight the strongest!
If he's going to do something, he'll do it best!!!