Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: 2022-2023 Season, Championship (1)
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Thud, thud, thud.
Jeong-woo, dressed in a black suit, strode forward confidently as always.
"Whoa, here he comes!"
"Congratulations, Manager Ma!"
The moment he reached the mixed zone, some reporters let out exclamations of awe, while others greeted him warmly.
'It's a sea of familiar faces.'
From those who clearly didn't like him to the local Bolton reporters, they were all lined up in a semicircle beyond the table.
There were more journalists than usual.
It was the final matchday of the league, and one that decided the championship, after all.
Jeong-woo responded to them with a bright smile and took his seat.
Leon Mojis, who had spent over a year criticizing Jeong-woo, looked at the completely unflappable Jeong-woo and posed the first question.
"Bolton Wanderers defeated Hull City 6-1 to claim the League One championship trophy. How does it feel to become champions of League One?"
Jeong-woo was mildly surprised to hear Mojis—who had been nothing but venomous—ask a perfectly normal question for once, but he opened his mouth calmly.
"From the start, I saw this club as one close to winning it all. Ever since I took the helm here, I've had that conviction. That our Wanderers players could achieve something meaningful in League One."
Of course, it was bullshit.
At first, there was no such certainty.
But as the rounds progressed, that conviction grew.
It came from the players who supported hiMad Dog strove to grow—the certainty that they could leap to greater heights.
Jeong-woo continued proudly.
"Despite the fierce headwinds, our players pressed on steadfastly. And at the end of that path, they seized the championship trophy."
"It was two matches that defied everyone's expectations, wasn't it?"
Another reporter chimed in with a question.
It was about the big wins against Plymouth Argyle and Hull City.
Jeong-woo nodded slightly.
Before he could even respond, yet another reporter added,
"You absolutely roasted Plymouth and Hull City! Some soccer experts and fans are already hailing it as a tactical masterclass and praising you, Manager Ma!"
Even now, chants of "Ma! Ma! Ma!" erupted from the fans on the pitch outside.
The water bottles on the table trembled faintly.
But Jeong-woo shook his head.
"You're saying no?"
The reporter who had asked looked puzzled and followed up.
Jeong-woo scanned the room slowly.
From Leon Mojis on, every reporter was gazing at him with curious eyes.
Some still clearly disliked him, but it didn't matter.
As the reporters focused solely on him, Jeong-woo lifted the corner of his mouth slyly and began his response.
"After beating Manchester United in that preseason friendly, Bolton changed. Coincidentally, after facing them again in the FA Cup, Bolton changed once more."
Now, only Jeong-woo's voice rang clearly through the mixed zone.
The reporters couldn't even swallow dryly.
Unlike the smile playing on his lips, his eyes gleamed sharply like those of a bird of prey, sending chills down their spines.
Everyone in the room grew eager for his next words.
Especially since he had brought up Manchester United right after the league finale victory.
'What is he trying to say?'
'Yeah! Man United is our punching bag, kek!'
Manchester United fans shot him dissatisfied glares.
'Damn it! Tripping over us Man United again?'
'Did this guy have a vendetta against Man United in a past life...!'
'Should I just deck him?'
Undeterred by the hostile stares, Jeong-woo pressed on.
"To put it bluntly, that's when I knew for sure. There was no reason to stay here any longer. As a result, we wrapped up what were expected to be tough promotion playoffs and the League One title decider with a goal barrage—nice and simple."
That statement alone was headline-worthy.
Jeong-woo knew it.
'Those who hate me will slap on labels like arrogant, cocky, and every other adjective in the book.'
But he didn't care.
He was just stating the facts.
"We're a prepared team. We used the media as our megaphone to claim this title, upgraded our staff, and restructured the Bolton squad through a massive rebuild."
Jeong-woo's fist clenched tightly on the table.
"Above all, we focused on shaking off that defeatist mentality. For nearly 10 years, their consciousness had been shattered by constant losses—we smashed it to pieces and planted a new winning mentality in its place."
Jeong-woo kept going.
By now, a good number of reporters were getting swept up in his fervor as time passed.
"Not just League One—be it the EPL, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1... we poured effort into physical training so we'd never fall behind any team in stamina."
He also acknowledged the dedication of many.
"As someone once said, in 1 year and 7 months... Bolton isn't the same in any aspect. It's the collective effort and passion of all our staff, players, and Wanderers fans."
"In the end, we've grown into a team beyond League One level. No one can argue otherwise. Not with today's scoreline and our season record."
How much time passed like that?
Jeong-woo paused for a moment and scanned the reporters again.
Every one of them stared back with flushed, excited faces.
Even Leon Mojis wasn't provoking him like usual.
'I was ready to throw a punch if he tried.'
Sensing they were properly tempered, Jeong-woo straightened his posture and fired his final shot.
"We're aiming to win the Championship too."
Flash, flash, flash!
Camera strobes exploded from all directions right then.
This time, prepared for it, Jeong-woo endured without squinting.
* * *
[Bolton Wanderers! Crush Hull City 6-1!]
[League One Finale: Bolton Tops Hull City with 111 Points for the Title!]
[Wanderers Chant: 'Praise Owner Ma~!']
The post-match media frenzy was in full swing.
Within hours, highlight reels of the Hull City match were up on YouTube channels, sending Korean fans into ecstasy.
- <LifeIs90KMiles>: Whoaaaaa! What a scoreline. Korea, give us some coverage!
- <BlueDragon>: Wow... Just a year and a half ago, they were floundering in the relegation zone, and now a comeback title? Is this real?
- <SonHeungbinIsBest>: Insane. 6-1 win? And why is our pride Pak doing so well? He just runs past everyone?
- <PakPlaysSoccerWell>: Paulo Vente! Pride Pak to the national team!
- <SergeantKang>: Congrats on Championship promotion and league title!
The players were showered in praise.
Especially Pride Pak, who notched 26 league goals alongside Rahim Strong to claim joint top scorer.
Owen Pressais dominated assists with 27 for a coMad Doging first place.
And some Wanderers fans began to hope.
For the Bolton Wanderers of about 10 years ago—the one Lee Chang-yong played for—to return.
In other words, they yearned for a return to the EPL someday.
But for owner-manager Jeong-woo, there wasn't even time to celebrate the title and promotion.
"Emmanuel Adebayor's one-year extension clause has been triggered."
In Jeong-woo's office.
Executive Director Richard Geers, with vacation a week away, sat demurely on the sofa, savoring a sip of tea before adding,
"Personally, I recommend re-signing Adebayor."
With that, Geers handed over a binder analyzing Adebayor's season data.
Seated at the head, Jeong-woo nodded slightly.
He didn't even need to look—it screamed "Re-sign him now!" from the cover.
'Well, this season alone, he was the ultimate super sub.'
Ranking 4th in goals despite limited minutes proved it.
Richard Geers continued.
"Three days from now, Cole Palmer and Frank Gerrard's loans end."
"We have to... keep those two, at least."
The season was over, but Jeong-woo had to jump straight into squad management.
Frank Gerrard, in particular, was an essential card for the Championship challenge next season.
Then, glancing at Geers, Jeong-woo suddenly asked,
"Full transfer's impossible, right?"
Geers gave his usual warm smile and replied softly.
"Impossible."
"Why not?"
Jeong-woo furrowed his brow slightly.
He knew the reason, of course.
The fatal flaw of loan players.
No matter how well they performed, without a buy option, you were just fattening someone else's squad.
'I thought I was getting close to Hoseb hyung.'
But he was ruthlessly pragmatic about business.
Post-League One exploits had skyrocketed both players' values.
They hadn't included full transfer clauses from the start.
'Something about policy for our rising stars.'
At loan prices back then, acquiring Gerrard and Palmer permanently was out of reach.
Geers recapped.
"Transfermarkt values Cole Palmer at £4 million (6.4 billion KRW), and Frank Gerrard at £8 million (12.9 billion KRW)."
More than double in one season.
"Hmm, well... I'll visit Man City in a few days anyway, so let's push for another loan deal."
A few days later, reps from affiliate and lower clubs would swarm Man City's youth talents for loans.
It was called a scramble in these circles.
Scouting endlessly promising prospects.
Not bad for Man City either.
Players maxed out on experience at reserve level could gain new experiences elsewhere.
'Like Palmer and Gerrard.'
His gloom didn't last.
Richard Geers had popped a candy in his mouth.
"Six Bolton players made the League One Best XI this year."
[ST: Emmanuel Adebayor]
[LW: Pride Pak]
[CM: Owen Pressais]
[LDM: Frank Gerrard]
[RDM: David Dignity]
[CB: Dominic Shield]
"Kuhh."
His nostrils flared involuntarily.
Out of 24 League One teams, these were the season's standout performers.
'Still... defense is a letdown.'
Champions, yet only Shield made it—total wipeout for the rest.
A bit disappointing.
But Geers' next words stretched Jeong-woo's lips into a grin.
"Heartfelt congrats on being named League One Manager of the Year."
"Ah, well. It's all thanks to everyone, ahem."
Despite skipping Northwest Cups except FA Cup, he'd claimed the title and these honors.
Owen Pressais took League One Player of the Year too.
Good news all around.
Geers then rattled off season settlements and upcoming schedules nonstop.
"Bolton receives £700,000 (1.1 billion KRW) in participation prize money from League One."
"To comply with Financial Fair Play in the Championship, we can't exceed £6 million (9.6 billion KRW) in losses over the season."
"Bolton will get about £4 million (6.4 billion KRW) from Championship broadcast revenue..."
"With promotion to the Championship, we must form a max 25-man squad..."
Jeong-woo's expression shifted by the moment.
Bright at how good it sounded, then darkening at transfer budgets, player/staff renewals leaking cash.
Then brightening again at the next bit.
Geers smiled warmly.
"Ahead of this season, Chicken President offered sponsor renewal, and the Malpyo Group requested a new sponsorship deal."