Football System: Touchline God
Chapter 48: Job Application

Chapter 48: Job Application

Maddox turned to the observers.

Peterson met his eyes, then said simply, "Let’s debrief."

***

The small office smelled like coffee and old paper. Fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting everything in harsh white light. Maddox sat across from the three observers, their clipboards spread across the desk like evidence in a trial.

Peterson cleared his throat. "Mr. Maddox, we’ll be direct. We’ve seen a lot of coaches come through here. Most of them try to impose their will on the players from the first minute."

Maddox nodded, his hands folded in his lap. His shirt was still damp with with drizzle, his heart still racing from the intensity of the match.

"You took a different approach," Sarah Chen said, her voice thoughtful. "You let them play first. Let them show you what they could do."

"Football is about the players, not the coach," Maddox replied. "My job is to help them be better, not to make them into something they’re not."

James Wright, the third observer who had been silent until now, leaned forward. "That tactical adjustment in the second half. When you told Kyle about the center-back stepping forward. How did you spot that?"

"I watched. I listened. The boy was struggling with the high press, so I looked for solutions." Maddox shrugged. "Sometimes the answer is right in front of you if you’re willing to see it."

Peterson made a note. "And the miss? Kyle’s miss at the end of the first half. How you handled that."

"What about it?"

"Most coaches would have torn into him. Confidence, pressure, all that."

Maddox shook his head. "He was already doing that to himself. He didn’t need me to make it worse. He needed to understand that being in the right place matters more than the outcome of one moment."

Sarah Chen smiled for the first time all morning. "That’s good coaching."

The three observers exchanged glances. Peterson gathered his papers, tapping them against the desk to align them perfectly.

"Mr. Maddox," he said formally. "Based on your performance today, your tactical dossier, and your demonstrated understanding of player development, we’re upgrading your coaching badge to Grade C+."

Although he expected a similar outcome, the words still surprised him. C+. Not just the basic C grade he’d predicted, but C+.

At the very least, it was a better display of his capabilities at this youth level. C+ was the peak for most coaches in the youth league circles of the world of Terra.

"Thank you," he managed, his voice steadier than he felt.

"The certification will be processed within twenty-four hours," Peterson continued. "You’ll receive your new badge and updated credentials by post."

Maddox stood, shaking hands with each of the observers. Their grips were firm, professional, but he caught something else in their eyes. Respect, maybe. Or at least recognition that he belonged in this room.

"Good luck, Mr. Maddox," Sarah Chen said as he reached the door. "We’ll be interested to see where you go from here."

Outside the office, Maddox walked through the corridors of the SFC building in a daze. His footsteps echoed in the empty hallway, but they sounded different now. Stronger. More purposeful.

Grade C+. Licensed coach. One step closer to where he wanted to be. But this was just the beginning.

The midday sun was bright as he stepped outside, painting the world in gold and possibility.

Maddox walked to his small apartment and looked out at the city below through the windows.

With his Level 3 coaching license all but secured, he finally allowed himself to breathe a little easier. But now came the harder part. Getting a job.

The problem now was that time wasn’t on his side.

There were only two matches left before the current youth league season wrapped up. Clubs weren’t exactly looking to make big changes at this stage. Unless a coach was suddenly sacked, or a club decided to shake things up after the final whistle of the season, job openings would be rare.

Still, Maddox couldn’t help but hope.

He knew the calendar well. Two months from now, the biggest stage in youth football would arrive—the NextGen Ascension League.

Despite its name, it wasn’t just a regular league. It was a massive global tournament, one that brought together the top youth teams from every corner of Terra.

Champions and second-placed sides from every nation’s youth league would fight for pride, glory, and recognition. Scouts from elite clubs would be watching. Every pass, every mistake, every tactical switch could change a player—or a coach’s—life forever.

For Maddox, that tournament was a beacon. If he could land a coaching role before it kicked off, even with an underdog team, it could be his breakthrough.

But the window was narrow. Opportunities wouldn’t wait. He had to be ready—watching, moving, applying—because one call could be all it took to change everything.

Searching for available coaching jobs was the step to take.

He opened his laptop and scrolled through coaching websites. The screen glowed with possibilities, but his excitement dimmed as he read the requirements for the available ones. "Grade B, three seasons experience preferred." "Previous coaching background essential." "References required."

Maddox continued his search. Moments later, his cursor hovered over a job posting. "Assistant Youth Coach - Riverside FC." Posted three weeks ago. Probably filled already. He clicked anyway.

"Position has been filled. Thank you for your interest."

Of course.

The next posting looked more promising. "Academy Coach - Millbrook United." But when he read the details, his expression mirrored disappointment. "Start date: After seasonal tournament completion."

After season completion. The words echoed in his mind. That meant waiting. Sitting idly until the seasonal competitions were over. While his fresh license gathered dust.

But then again, maybe waiting wasn’t so bad. Maybe it was actually perfect.

Four months and a half. That’s how long he’d have to wait after this year’s competitions ended.

The real question wasn’t whether he should be looking now. Maybe it was whether he was patient enough to wait for something bigger.

He hit the apply-for-contract button and stared at the screen. Although Millbrook United was amongst the best in the Youth League C, they were currently fourth in the league and most likely won’t be able to qualify for the NextGen Ascension League in two months time.

"Let’s see how things play out" Maddox muttered, faint anticipation glowing in his eyes.

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