Chapter 419: Martin O’Neill and Leicester City
After an entire week of intermittent rains, the sky finally cleared on Monday morning. For Liverpool, with spring just around the corner, such a day was a rare treasure to be savored. The feeling was even more pronounced near Anfield, where the weather seemed to have a mind of its own. One never knew when the sky above the stadium would darken in an instant, only to be followed by a sudden splatter of raindrops across the Kop and the surrounding streets.
Beads of water clung to the leaves of the trees lining the road, catching the morning sunlight and sparkling like tiny diamonds left behind by the night’s downpour—a quiet testament to the rain that had washed over the city while it slept.
Richard lingered outside the VIP suite of the Hope Street Hotel. Liverpool’s first boutique hotel, it was housed in a Venetian-style palazzo dating back to 1860, celebrated for its elegance and comfort. The hotel’s refined charm had made it a favored choice for visiting professionals, and today, it offered him a moment of calm before the day’s excitement at Anfield began.
Richard caught sight of his own messy hair in the window. That morning, he had dressed himself casually and left the house in a hurry. Half of his shirt and collar hung loose, while the other half was tucked in. The only saving grace was that his collar and buttons were at least in the right place. He flipped his collar up and ran his hands through his hair, trying to tidy it while facing the window.
Looking at his reflection in the window, Richard smiled contentedly. He turned, and just as he was about to step forward, he noticed a young woman walking by.
She swung her hips with every step, and even though she wore a simple green business suit, she carried herself with undeniable confidence.
’Wait... wasn’t this floor already booked for Manchester City? Since when did the club have a female staff member like her?’
The woman suddenly stopped, turned, and looked directly at Richard. This action gave Richard a scare, causing him to forget to stop staring.
"Are you Mr. Richard Maddox?"
The moment she said this, Richard noticed two bodyguards subtly step closer.
"I’m sorry, miss... may I ask if you have an appointment?"
She didn’t seem annoyed; instead, she offered a professional smile. "I believe I’ve found the right person. My name is Claire," she said, extending her hand. "I’m Mr. Moores’ secretary."
"Miss... you—"
Richard waved his hand, cutting off his bodyguards. "Moores? David Moores?"
"Yes," she replied smoothly. "May I ask if you have arranged an appointment with him beforehand? He would like to invite you to Mr. Moores’ VIP room, if you don’t mind."
Ricahrf frowned.
David Richard Moores, British football executive and chairman of Liverpool F.C.
Richard nodded. "Please wait a moment—I need to grab something from my room first."
"Alright, I’ll wait," Miss Claire said, pausing for a moment before nodding.
Back in his room, Richard immediately fetched his phone. The moment the line connected, he asked Marina to search for information about David Moores. The intel came back quickly, confirming everything he needed to know.
The Moores family is one of the wealthiest in the UK, and much of their fortune is tied to the name David Richard Moores. He founded Littlewoods, a retail and football betting company based in Liverpool, and through his ventures, established the Moores family as one of the richest in the country.
He became chairman of Liverpool F.C. on 18 September 1991. He owned 17,850 shares, representing 51% of the club. His uncle, Sir John Moores, was chairman of Everton F.C., although he held only a small share in the club.
Under Moores’ chairmanship, Liverpool experienced a turbulent period between 1991 and 1994 under manager Graeme Souness. When Moores sacked Souness in January 1994, it marked the first time a Liverpool manager had been dismissed since 1956. Moores explained at the time that the decision was made because "the results have been well below what is expected by the club and its supporters."
Marina said, "Currently, Moores is increasingly seeking external investment to help the club develop a new ground."
Richard raised an eyebrow. "A new ground? You mean replacing Anfield?"
"No," Marina replied. "The idea is to redevelop and expand the existing Anfield Road End, adding a two-tier stand that increases seating capacity by approximately 6,000. There is also the Anfield Plus project, which aims to redevelop the surrounding area, including demolishing certain properties to make space for stadium expansion."
Richard thought for a moment, imagining the impact of such a project. A new stadium could transform Liverpool, but it would also be a massive undertaking. "And the investment?" he asked.
"Mostly external investors," Marina explained. "Moores is looking for partners who can provide the financial backing needed without compromising the club’s control."
"Alright, understood. Thank you very much," Richard said.
After hanging up, he immediately left his room.
"Is it done, Mr. Maddox?"
Richard nodded.
"Then this way, please, Mr. Maddox," Miss Claire said, returning to lead the way.
A moment later, a sleek Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of the hotel. Its polished black surface reflected the soft sunlight, and the subtle hum of the engine spoke of power and luxury. For someone like Richard, nothing less would do.
"After you, Mr. Maddox," Claire said, opening the rear door. Richard stepped in gracefully, settling into the leather interior.
As for his two bodyguards, they rode in Richard’s own Rolls-Royce.
"The drive to Anfield should take about ten minutes. Traffic isn’t too heavy at this hour," Claire remarked.
Richard nodded, then turned to her. "Ms. Claire, you don’t sound British. Are you?" he asked, intrigued by her flawless American accent.
"Yes, sir," she replied with a small smile. "I’m originally from Liverpool, but I lived in the United States while studying."
"Oh," Richard murmured, leaning back slightly in his seat, curious but patient.
"Mr. Maddox," she said, tilting her head politely, "is there anything else you’d like to know?"
"Yes," he said, his tone measured. "Why does your chairman want to meet me? Do you know the agenda? Could you give me a brief?"
Claire’s expression remained professional, but a flicker of understanding passed over her eyes. "I can give you an overview, sir. Everything else will be discussed in the meeting itself."
"...Fair enough," Richard replied flatly.
Unknown to Richard, just as he was about to hold discussions with the Liverpool chairman, a major recruitment meeting was taking place at Wythenshawe Hospital, where Martin O’Neill was being treated for a broken nose.
O’Neill sat silently, studying the two people in front of him. To be honest, he felt flattered but also hesitant. Across from him sat John Elsom, the new chairman of Leicester City, who had previously served as vice-president and later as a director of the club.
"Excuse me, but why would the top management of Leicester City come all this way to meet me?" O’Neill asked. To be honest, this move by Leicester City could hardly be made without controversy.
Elsom leaned forward slightly. "Martin, we know this is sudden, but we believe you’re the right man to take Leicester forward. The board is fully behind you, and we can offer the support and resources you’ll need."
O’Neill nodded slowly, his eyes scanning the room. He wasn’t impulsive—he liked to weigh every detail. "I see," he said, keeping his tone neutral. "Tell me more about your plans. How do you envision the next few seasons?"
To be honest, leaving Manchester City was no longer at the forefront of O’Neill’s mind. Who would want to manage a team where he had no real power in the transfer market? Even now, the players at City that he felt understood him best were probably Larsson and Neil Lennon—those who quickly grasped what he was trying to convey.
For him, it wasn’t about having the most skilled players—it was about building a team with synergy. He listened carefully, occasionally glancing down at the floor as he considered his options. He appreciated the ambition, but he also weighed the practical realities. For now, he said nothing more, merely observing and calculating.
Elsom exchanged a glance with his assistant, then outlined the vision: consolidating Leicester in the First Division, making a breakthrough into the Premier League next season, investing in youth development, and building a squad capable of competing in domestic cups and European competitions.
The new Leicester City chairman wasn’t playing around. He wanted to make an instant impact, and what better way than to recruit the manager who had taken Manchester City to the Premier League title just two seasons after their promotion?
They needed a guarantee—and the guarantee was sitting right in front of them.