Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Bolton, You See (4)
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Thank you!
Black-Haired Tactical Genius
Chapter 52: Bolton, You See (4)
As the 2020-2021 season came to an end, a rest period arrived in England's football world—long if it felt long, short if it felt short.
But not everyone was taking a break.
In Jeong-woo's office,
Warm sunlight filtered through the half-open window.
"Electrical wiring work and water supply construction began today."
Facilities manager Thompson stood in front of the desk and reported.
He had gone on vacation early but returned yesterday and jumped straight back into the front lines.
"Electrical wiring, lighting fixtures, lights, outlet relocations and additions... The cost per building is expected to be 1,200 pounds (about 1.9 million KRW)."
"I see. Good work."
Jeong-woo nodded as if it were no big deal.
A true leader must be like a deeply rooted tree.
One that wouldn't sway in the fiercest winds.
Of course, inwardly he thought,
'Damn, that's expensive as hell.'
For the food corner, the existing vacant spaces just needed simple interior work.
But for non-vacant spaces, they had to build brick walls from scratch and run electrical wiring and water lines.
It was a major construction job.
Jeong-woo narrowed his eyes slightly and asked,
"There won't be any issues during preseason, right?"
"Of course. All work is being done on the outer areas, and we're taking every safety precaution."
"That's a relief."
After that, more reports came in on facilities management,
Player releases,
Sponsors, and more.
"Alex Lee has a groin muscle strain, but he should be back in two weeks."
"Ro Darsh is fully recovered today. His match fitness will have dropped significantly, but with gradual training, it shouldn't be a big problem."
Only after hearing the team doctor's injury report did the afternoon schedule wrap up.
The doctor left the office after that.
The moment he stepped out the door, Jeong-woo slumped back into his chair.
Creak!
The chair groaned.
The players the doctor mentioned were promising youngsters that Bolton cherished.
The youth director managed them directly.
But Jeong-woo received real-time updates on a select few standout prospects, just like this.
'You never know when one might turn into a Harry Kane or Jamie Vardy.'
Life is unpredictable.
Who knew if Bolton had a future Three Lions star like Harry Kane lurking in its ranks.
"For now, we'll nurture them all."
People can change, after all.
As they age, their thinking or beliefs shift.
A shocking event might upend their entire life path.
Sunderland had been plenty stimulating in that regard.
A clear goal had suddenly appeared right before their eyes.
And from the moment he decided to run the club for one more season, Jeong-woo had even more worries.
Creak, creak!
Now, sitting in his executive chair, he rocked his upper body back and forth out of habit, lost in thought.
They had survived relegation, but Bolton was still a poor club.
This season's sponsor money? A measly 300,000 pounds (about 47 million KRW)...
"It's average compared to League One... but still..."
Not enough.
Ever since the former Sunderland owner bragged everywhere like he won the lottery—"I hit the jackpot!"—nothing satisfied anymore.
Of course, he hadn't actually gone around boasting that obnoxiously, but that's how it felt to Jeong-woo.
"Fuck."
They'd secured survival, but no new sponsor offers came in.
"I hear the neighbors in Wigan landed a sponsor worth about 1 billion KRW."
Separately, Luton had failed to promote to the Championship.
By just one point.
The damage from losing to them had been too great.
"Pfft."
He burst out laughing without realizing it.
After failing to promote, Wigan manager Lowell Gardner had openly vented his frustration at him.
[Middle Eastern bed football must disappear! Middle Eastern football is the vile, low-class act dragging down the level of this game!]
"That punk—winning isn't cowardly or anything."
But just like that, his lips drooped straight down, no trace of the smirk.
Wondering if there was more, he searched for articles on Lowell Gardner...
[Lowell Gardner! Signs 4-year extension with Wigan!]
[Third-highest salary in League One! Around 500,000 pounds (about 79 million KRW)]
[Wigan Athletic! 'We believe in Lowell! This season, he'll truly lead us to the Championship...!']
[Among League One's 24 managers, the lowest-paid is Ma Jeong-woo! A pitiful 20,000 pounds (about 3 million KRW)...!]
"..."
The League One average salary was about 35,000 pounds (around 5 million KRW).
In that context, Jeong-woo's current pay was stingy on top of stingy.
Simple reason.
As owner, he didn't really need much money.
'Board and lodging are handled right here in the office.'
Above all, he figured it was better to invest elsewhere than raise his salary.
Absolutely not because he was broke.
Still, he envied it.
After a long while passed like that.
During his break, Jeong-woo logged into a wholesome adult site—youTuber channels.
Then, suddenly, he narrowed his eyes.
"Quite a few Koreans...?"
As he said, among the comments on Sims, the 300,000-sub Wonderers YouTuber, there were plenty of Korean ones.
Out of nowhere, Jeong-woo's nose twitched.
A familiar, tantalizing scent wafted from his phone.
* * *
A few days passed.
He'd hoped for new sponsors, but there was still zero news on that front.
In the meantime, executive director Richard Geers returned from vacation.
Sitting primly on the sofa, he murmured while looking through the binder in his hand.
"Profits have risen sharply compared to last year."
Unlike Jeong-woo, Richard Geers wore a very satisfied expression as he compared to the previous year.
"1.5 million pounds (about 2.4 billion KRW) from ads and merchandise alone..."
The gacha events and Jeong-woo's dolls had played a huge role.
Geers added with an impressed look.
"That's about 700,000 pounds (around 1.1 billion KRW) more than last season. Impressive."
"Ah, well, yeah, sure?"
Under Geers' proud gaze, Jeong-woo shrugged awkwardly from the opposite sofa.
He still wasn't used to such complimentary looks.
But it felt good.
His lips twitched upward on their own.
Uniform sales had surged too.
"Owen Pressage dominates the sales rankings."
"He's Bolton's present and future."
Jeong-woo was honestly surprised too.
Three times the sales of second-place star Park.
"You really do have to be handsome to sell."
His mobility had declined, but his passing and kicking were top-tier.
By now, the Wonderers were calling him Bolton's Beckenbauer.
Owen was that handsome, evoking Beckenbauer.
After that, Geers gave additional reports on a few more items.
Jeong-woo listened attentively.
After some more time passed.
"Then I'll take my leave."
As Richard Geers started to stand, Jeong-woo reached out to stop him.
"Hold on."
"Yes?"
Geers gave a puzzled look, then quickly flashed his signature beaming smile.
Jeong-woo looked straight up at hiMad Dog opened his mouth.
"I wanted to get your opinion on something."
"Go ahead."
"Don't be shocked. Seriously."
"Yes, understood."
Despite the unwavering smile, Jeong-woo put extra force into his eyes.
He lowered his voice as much as possible.
"For this club... I'm thinking of becoming a YouTuber."
No need for long deliberation.
Most viewers of 300,000-sub Sims were Wonderers—potential subscribers.
Seeing plenty of Koreans watching too, Jeong-woo resolved.
Korean and English channels!
Koreans especially remembered when Bolton was once called the national club.
Even now, some couldn't forget and wandered into this YouTuber's channel.
People show immense interest in things they've never experienced.
Especially if the job is club owner.
"A YouTube channel?"
Caught off guard, Richard Geers paused before asking back.
Jeong-woo nodded with resolute expression.
"Yes. I'll film myself running the club, starring yours truly."
He'd searched yesterday—no owner was a YouTuber.
So this was...
"I guarantee it. Blue ocean. And this YouTube will be our megaphone, spreading Bolton worldwide, Director."
Growing subscribers alone would make money.
Of course, the primary pure goal was sponsors.
He'd seen it clearly.
A celebrity landing tons of ads through their YouTube channel.
Just like that, Jeong-woo steeled his resolve.
'Reel in the big fish.'
It'd help with player signings too.
Of course, plenty more ideas bubbled up.
He had to dance the transfer market knife-edge for summer signings, after all.
* * *
Donald Victor, now in his mid-40s, had a secret hobby no one knew about.
YouTubing.
With vacation until tomorrow, he was in the middle of filming in his living room right now.
"Lucky! Here! Good boy! Did you all see that? Lucky just understood me!"
Unlike usual, Donald Victor raised his voice tone quite high.
His channel, 'Lucky & Victor', focused on daily life with his pet dog.
Initially, it was just to spend time playing with his dog.
But as he adapted to the YouTube world, greed crept in.
Of course...
'Only 24...?'
Live viewers numbered a measly 24.
The live comments made him frown involuntarily.
- : My Afro spins on 'spin' and lies down on 'down'.
- : Hmm, just cute. No special talents.
- : What? An old guy? Thought the owner might be hot, but nope. Smiling there like a shriveled tomato...
'This blood hasn't even dried on my head, you little shit...?!'
He flared up momentarily but quickly smiled generously.
"Whoa! Back in my day, I was quite popular, you know. And Lucky can spin too."
He'd started his channel around the same time as neighbor Charles, but theirs already had over 1,000 subscribers.
'No way I'm losing!'
Victor spoke with earnest desperation now.
"Come on, Lucky! Spin!"
Lucky looked into Victor's eyes, wagged his tail, and sat down.
A long time passed.
After the live stream ended, Donald Victor flopped onto the sofa.
Lucky hopped up onto his lap.
Victor chuckled and stroked Lucky's head.
"Good job, Lucky. Let's try harder tomorrow, okay?"
Then he browsed YouTube.
It was a form of study.
Checking various channels to see what satisfied subscribers.
Suddenly, his eyes widened.
'Bolton Wanderers...?'
The recommendation algorithm popped up the Bolton emblem.
Below, it said official account.
While he was on vacation, the club must have launched a channel.
"Well, they're doing this now too?"
Naturally, Victor tapped it and played the first video.
After a black screen, a familiar face appeared.
"Huh?"
Victor's mouth fell open.
The owner sat in what looked like his office, in the executive chair, grinning and waving one hand.
[Hey? I'm owner Ma Jeong-woo!]
Using the trendy greeting style too.
Have a great day~
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