June 28th, 2011
University of Warwick:
A Lasting Impression
The University main hall can be imposing at the best of times. And for the UEFA 'A' Licence graduates, it had been an area of intense study for the last three weeks, leading up to the final exam. Now, it was deserted, save for one person.
Eve Smith had been secretary to Ben Wilkinson, the Dean residing over UEFA applicants, for almost 10 years. She'd seen manager hopefuls come and go, but never had she been summoned to attend a meeting with her boss about a student. Never mind two students.
She knocked on the door with her free hand. She'd heard about the two graduates who's reports she now held in her hands. Best of their generation, the examiners had said. Naturals.
"Come in, Eve. Please, take a seat."
Ben Wilkinson was a man who kept himself fit, even at the old age of 53. He notioned to the seat in front of his desk. As the Dean, he never really had any input into the learning side of the course, the closest he got to the students was disciplining anyone who'd had too much to drink the night before.
"So, who are these two? I've heard a lot from the coaches here. Is it true what they say, about them world class, even at their ages?" Eve asked.
"Yes." Wilkinson picked up the first report. A toned, brown-haired man looked out from the snapshot.
"Joseba Muniain. Former Spanish defensive midfielder. Picked up twenty-five caps by the age of 23. Impressive, for an orphan - his mother died during childbirth and no-one knows the father. Some say it was Martin Vasquez, the old Real Madrid player? Would explain the young man's hatrid for the Galacticos. Scouted age 8 from the backstreets of Madrid by both Real and Atletico, choosing the latter - not something many young Madrid born children would do. Was playing in the U15's at 12, the U17's at 15. Made his Spanish youth debut at 16 at U21 level. Full Spanish debut at 19. Named Atletico's Player of the year 3 years running between 2003 and 2005. La Liga Young Player of the Year... the list goes on."
"So why's he here... Why isn't he still playing?" Eve questioned.
"Well... The young Muniain, you understand, grew up way too fast. No parental input, pressures of a nation... quickly he turned to drink - ended up in a car accident. Sheared his cruciate ligament clean from his knee. Police reports say he was way over the limit. Quit football after that and came here, to learn how to coach. Still has his moments - He was brought to me only a couple of weeks ago after being found passed out on the edge of the grounds. He could go all the way to the top, as long as he avoids it. He obtained one of the highest marks in the last 20 years"
"One of?"
"Aye. You've got the report of the person who beat him in your hand."
He placed the second report on the desk. A tall, dark-haired woman looked back at the pair of them.
"Another Spaniard. Daniella Contra. - don't sound so suprised, Miss Smith."
Eve looked away, embarressed - a gasp of shock had escaped her. "Muniain was beaten by a woman?"
"Yes. And an exceptional one at that. A tactical genius - passed every test with flying colours. Muniain and her may be best friends, but he still holds a grudge. She can have her moments, however - She almost reduced another female student to tears because she disagreed with her. Very hostile temper - She's quick to rise to insults, too. I believe hot-headed could be the term. Her grandmother and mother were both diagnosed with clinical depression, and I believe she allows herself to let her emotions to get the better of her - to try to prove she's stronger. Born in Seville to working class parents, she excelled upfront in mixed football to age 11, moving on to Sevilla FC Femenino at the age of 13. She rose through the ranks, breaking record after record. Youngest goalscorer, youngest 1st teamer, most goals in a season, youngest full Spanish Women's cap, it just keeps going on and on. Even won a World award at the 2007 Women's World Cup - the Golden Ball. Her mother died in 2009, and she quit football weeks later. Came here, struck up a friendship with Joseba, and the rest is history. She'll boss a top male club yet, but she'll have to be phenomenal."
"Very good point. They've both got history. It'll be interesting, that's for sure. I'll see you when you need me, sir." Eve added, nodding in agreement. She gathered the reports up in her hands and left.
Unbeknownst to them, only a couple of hundred metres away, what sounded like a full scale war was raging.
Hello everyone. This is going to be a joint story from two points of view by me and Steve*. His updates will be from the eyes of Joseba Muniain, whilst mine are from the eyes of Daniella Contra. Hope you all enjoy!
University of Warwick:
A Lasting Impression
The University main hall can be imposing at the best of times. And for the UEFA 'A' Licence graduates, it had been an area of intense study for the last three weeks, leading up to the final exam. Now, it was deserted, save for one person.
Eve Smith had been secretary to Ben Wilkinson, the Dean residing over UEFA applicants, for almost 10 years. She'd seen manager hopefuls come and go, but never had she been summoned to attend a meeting with her boss about a student. Never mind two students.
She knocked on the door with her free hand. She'd heard about the two graduates who's reports she now held in her hands. Best of their generation, the examiners had said. Naturals.
"Come in, Eve. Please, take a seat."
Ben Wilkinson was a man who kept himself fit, even at the old age of 53. He notioned to the seat in front of his desk. As the Dean, he never really had any input into the learning side of the course, the closest he got to the students was disciplining anyone who'd had too much to drink the night before.
"So, who are these two? I've heard a lot from the coaches here. Is it true what they say, about them world class, even at their ages?" Eve asked.
"Yes." Wilkinson picked up the first report. A toned, brown-haired man looked out from the snapshot.
"Joseba Muniain. Former Spanish defensive midfielder. Picked up twenty-five caps by the age of 23. Impressive, for an orphan - his mother died during childbirth and no-one knows the father. Some say it was Martin Vasquez, the old Real Madrid player? Would explain the young man's hatrid for the Galacticos. Scouted age 8 from the backstreets of Madrid by both Real and Atletico, choosing the latter - not something many young Madrid born children would do. Was playing in the U15's at 12, the U17's at 15. Made his Spanish youth debut at 16 at U21 level. Full Spanish debut at 19. Named Atletico's Player of the year 3 years running between 2003 and 2005. La Liga Young Player of the Year... the list goes on."
"So why's he here... Why isn't he still playing?" Eve questioned.
"Well... The young Muniain, you understand, grew up way too fast. No parental input, pressures of a nation... quickly he turned to drink - ended up in a car accident. Sheared his cruciate ligament clean from his knee. Police reports say he was way over the limit. Quit football after that and came here, to learn how to coach. Still has his moments - He was brought to me only a couple of weeks ago after being found passed out on the edge of the grounds. He could go all the way to the top, as long as he avoids it. He obtained one of the highest marks in the last 20 years"
"One of?"
"Aye. You've got the report of the person who beat him in your hand."
He placed the second report on the desk. A tall, dark-haired woman looked back at the pair of them.
"Another Spaniard. Daniella Contra. - don't sound so suprised, Miss Smith."
Eve looked away, embarressed - a gasp of shock had escaped her. "Muniain was beaten by a woman?"
"Yes. And an exceptional one at that. A tactical genius - passed every test with flying colours. Muniain and her may be best friends, but he still holds a grudge. She can have her moments, however - She almost reduced another female student to tears because she disagreed with her. Very hostile temper - She's quick to rise to insults, too. I believe hot-headed could be the term. Her grandmother and mother were both diagnosed with clinical depression, and I believe she allows herself to let her emotions to get the better of her - to try to prove she's stronger. Born in Seville to working class parents, she excelled upfront in mixed football to age 11, moving on to Sevilla FC Femenino at the age of 13. She rose through the ranks, breaking record after record. Youngest goalscorer, youngest 1st teamer, most goals in a season, youngest full Spanish Women's cap, it just keeps going on and on. Even won a World award at the 2007 Women's World Cup - the Golden Ball. Her mother died in 2009, and she quit football weeks later. Came here, struck up a friendship with Joseba, and the rest is history. She'll boss a top male club yet, but she'll have to be phenomenal."
"Very good point. They've both got history. It'll be interesting, that's for sure. I'll see you when you need me, sir." Eve added, nodding in agreement. She gathered the reports up in her hands and left.
Unbeknownst to them, only a couple of hundred metres away, what sounded like a full scale war was raging.
Hello everyone. This is going to be a joint story from two points of view by me and Steve*. His updates will be from the eyes of Joseba Muniain, whilst mine are from the eyes of Daniella Contra. Hope you all enjoy!
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