THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
Coach Johansen I's Advice

Zachary and his teammates arrived at Vearnes Airport in Trondheim on a Scandinavian Airlines flight at exactly 10:05 that night. They quickly underwent the procedure at the airport, and by 22:20, they were already on the bus back to the city center.

Zachary's mood was excellent as the bus crossed the familiar airport road. He was still immersed in the pleasure of scoring a hat-trick to help his side get home with three points at the end of the night.

He felt like singing the hit band Survivor — 'Eye of the Tiger' out loud. But he was well aware that his voice was not good enough to put out such an interesting tone without drawing some ridicule from his team-mates. He could only swing his head from side to side following his beats as it played at the deepest limits of his mind repeatedly.

"So, where are we going to dinner tonight, Mikael?" Zachary hears Coach Johansen asking as the bus exits the tunnel and continues on its way from the airport. The coach sits closest to the door, in the row right in front of Zachary's chair. "I hope this isn't a fucked-up place. I'm too old for that." He added, sighing as if he was really an old man.

"Don't worry, coach," Mikael, who was sitting next to Zachary, quickly replied. "We headed to a cozy place called Una Pizzeria Bar in Solsiden. There won't be any noise or chaos because we've been ordering it all night."

"Una Pizzeria Bar," Coach Johansen murmured as if reflecting on the name before turning to look at Mikael. "Is that a place that sells late-night Italian Pizza with drinks?"

"Yes, exactly" answered Mikael. "I chose it because they have fast service. So, we'll be able to finish our dinner quickly and then go home to sleep before it's too late."

"Oh" said Coach Johansen, turning to face the front of the bus. "I think it's okay. Thanks for arranging it."

"It is with pleasure" said Mikael. "I hope everyone can enjoy tonight. That includes you, Zachary." said Mikael, turning towards him.

"I love pizza" Zachary replied. "So, I'll definitely enjoy tonight. Thank you, Mikael."

Thirty minutes later, the entire Rosenborg army sat down at the cozy Una Pizzeria Bar, enjoying good food washed with drinks. Mikael has gone ahead and invited the players who have not been in the match squad as well. So, it was almost full, with the entire Rosenborg team present at the Pizza bar.

Of all that happened, Zachary really enjoyed eating pizza.

He ignored the chatter around him and focused on gouging himself with Italian pizza. That game had drained his stamina reserves. So, he intended to fill it back up before dinner ended. But he made sure to avoid alcoholic beverages because he was well aware that they could hinder his future growth as a player.

Minutes passed quickly as he enjoyed the unique taste of his food, and shortly thereafter Coach Johansen gave his speech.

"I hope you all enjoy tonight" the coach began, standing up and flicking his fingers to draw everyone's attention. "Is anyone bored?" He investigated, sweeping his gaze across the players.

"No, coach," the players replied, but it was out of sync.

"Evening is perfect. We should do this more often..."

"We just lost the chairman and sporting director ..."

"..."

Over the next few seconds, the players responded to Coach Johansen's questions with a variety of answers, some of which were completely off-topic.

The players obeyed without question because of their coach who spoke.

"From today, May 25, to June 18, we will take a short break" the coach continued after a brief pause.

"Yesss, it's a holiday!" One of the players shouted. Looks like he's kindling a wick among the other souls inside the Pizza bar. For the next minute, they applauded and cheered happily only because the coach had freed them for the break.

Zachary, however, did not join. He continued eating his pizza because he did not see the essence of celebrating the start of the break.

Instead of taking a break, he prefers to continue playing and training to improve himself using Rosenborg's first-class facilities. Even when he returned to Lubumbashi in the Congo, he planned to do just that. At the very least, he will train with his old club, TP Mazembe, to keep himself fit and in top shape.

"Shut up" snapped Coach Johansen. He was very sharp, and the players immediately calmed down. "We don't have all night. So, listen to me." He added, a little bit cringing.

"From now on, we're taking a break from competitive football" the coach continued, looking around. "So, you're free to do whatever you like or go wherever you want to go—So you won't have any commitment with the team during the break."

"But I expect you to continue to live a decent lifestyle according to professional athletes even during the holidays" the coach stressed, narrowing his eyes. "Do not ingest illegal substances. Do not drink alcohol excessively or, if possible, avoid it completely. Keep exercising and exercising with the ball regularly."

The coach paused for a moment, sipping a glass of wine. "Do as I say, not as I do" he murmured, putting his glass back on the table, and the players laughed at him.

"I want you all to remember that there will be a medical check-up after the break" he continued after a while. "If we find that you are not fit or you have done something you should not have done, you will soon become my enemy. And being my enemy means you may not see your name in the game.The squad for the rest of the season. Are we together?"

"Yes, coach."

"Good." Coach Johansen nodded, half smiling. “I'm glad we're on the same page. But there's one more thing. Despite the official break until June 18, I hope you return to Trondheim to officially begin team training on the 15th. a must for any player who wants to be part of my starting line-up. Please don't be late. Even for one day." The coach's tone had turned serious and melted the party atmosphere at the Una Pizzeria Bar.

"Are we together, guys?" He screamed, looking around.

"Yes, coach."

"Good, good," said Coach Johansen. “Because we've finished discussing all the important things, I guess you can go ahead and enjoy tonight. But only tonight. Don't get too used to just enjoying. Instead, you should continue to work hard as a professional athlete so that you can maintain your fitness during the break. Are we together, son?"

"Yes, coach," Zachary heard his other team-mates' answers a bit too enthusiastic, probably because the coach was nearing the end of his speech. It seemed like they couldn't wait for him to conclude so they could go—do their own things, whatever it was.

"Zechari!" Coach Johansen said, turning towards him abruptly. "Can you come out for a minute? I'd like to talk to you about a few things."

"Oh!" Zachary said, put down a small piece of his pizza. "I'll be right out. Just a minute." He said, start picking up his gym bag.

"OK, I'll be waiting for you on the balcony" said the coach. He then turned around and started walking out of the room.