Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Manchester is Blue (5)
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With about two weeks left until the first preseason match against Manchester United.
Ma Jeong-woo and Park Hee-won sat side by side on the reception sofa, heads together.
As always, Jeong-woo took the lead in planning the training sessions.
"For the aerobic training to build stamina, let's keep heart rates around 60%. Distance of about 8km running. The staff will agree during the meeting later."
On top of that, Jeong-woo suggested combining fartlek and interval training with two-minute rests.
"Sets at 10."
If skills fall short, prioritize building stamina first.
It was a familiar sight for Hee-won, but it still startled him at times like a seizure.
Outwardly, no one was more sly, yet when it came to soccer-related matters, no one was more meticulous.
"We need counter-attack and short-pass training too. Especially sessions for overcoming pressure situations. In a 5-5 formation, space-wise... good. Let's do 50x30."
His knowledge lacked in non-soccer fields, but in soccer, it was downright impressive.
Whether tactics or training sessions, it made no difference.
Still, there was some worry on his mind.
'No matter what, it's Manchester United... hm.'
My furrowed brow mirrored Hee-won's wrinkled one.
Two weeks was ample time, but the opponent was overwhelmingly strong.
Of course, if Solskjær had his head on straight, they wouldn't go full throttle against underdogs like us.
'The problem is they're scary even without full effort.'
A simple friendly would be approached lightly, but not this one.
'The alliance deal with Man City is on the line with this friendly.'
So Hee-won casually leaned back against the sofa, stretched, and asked naturally.
"Ahh~ Sitting so long makes me tired~ Oh yeah, Jeong-woo. Got any genius tactics up your sleeve this time? You know, like that Middle Eastern bed soccer from the Wigan game. That Lowell guy still seems to hold a grudge against you. Every time he shows up at press conferences, he mentions you."
Personally, Hee-won thought pulling out bed soccer against Manchester United wasn't a bad idea.
Iran's bed soccer against Spain in the 2018 Russia World Cup had shown enough stickiness against a powerhouse.
Meanwhile, Jeong-woo glanced up and smirked.
'Look at this guy.'
His face pretended nonchalance, but 'worry' was plastered large across Hee-won's brow.
"Ahem."
Jeong-woo cleared his throat shortly, straightened his back, and crossed his arms.
"Why are friendlies great?"
At the out-of-left-field question, Hee-won narrowed his already small eyes further and replied.
"Because they... make money?"
"Right. And you only have to beat down one team."
"Beat down one team...?"
As Hee-won tilted his head slightly in confusion, Jeong-woo nodded emphatically.
"During the season, prepping for each team one by one takes too long and spreads you thin. It's a huge drain physically and mentally. But right now, we can go all-in on Man U."
Preseason for Bolton included three other opponents besides Man U.
But Jeong-woo cut them off decisively.
"We can take the others lightly. Run them just to check player form. But Man U is different. As you know, the alliance deal's at stake, and it'll draw massive attention."
Bolton's in-season games were broadcast only locally and in the opponent's area.
But this Man U match would span the UK and the world.
That was why Jeong-woo had pushed so hard for the wide-area deal on this Man U game.
'Better to chuck a stone at a historic team than pick off some mid-table nobody for buzz.'
And even a loss wouldn't hurt much.
Everyone saw Bolton as the underdog anyway.
Of course, it was a chance to seal the Man City deal and a huge stage to promote Bolton.
Starting from zero, no downside, but grab any upside you can.
Just like that, Jeong-woo's eyes sharpened for a moment.
"Against a team like Man U, upsetting them with surprise won't work anyway."
Gotta acknowledge what’s true.
So,
"This time, we go at them properly. A plan made just for Man U."
* * *
Bolton's players returned five days earlier than Man U.
And from day one, Jeong-woo implemented the training sessions he'd planned head-to-head.
Day one.
"Huff, huff, huuuff—!"
Shearer Kane, newly joined, let out ragged breaths nonstop.
He thought tactical training from morning might spare some stamina.
"Shearer! Run!"
Jeong-woo, in a black tank top training outfit, yelled from afar.
Shearer Kane hesitated then bolted across the field.
From day two, they focused on drilling the new formation.
It was an unusual one for the players.
David Dignity moved per Jeong-woo's instructions, thinking,
'Never thought I'd get brainwashed by tactics...!'
Day three, same formation training.
Day four, too.
Jeong-woo poured passion into this tactical work, even adding night sessions.
A week flew by.
Bright morning sun.
Captain David Dignity stepped onto the training ground first.
Delicate, following, muttered with a weary face.
"Gonna die."
"Me too."
Dignity agreed softly.
Somehow, training intensity exceeded even the season.
This tactic emphasized organization more than ever.
One slip meant interval circuit punishment.
The unique part: as tactics improved, punishments got harsher.
"Now tactics pop up even in my sleep."
Sensuous Ruff, arriving minutes later, shook his head and grumbled.
Ten minutes more, all players arrived.
One minute later,
Thud, thud, thud.
Dignity paled.
At the training ground entrance, Jeong-woo entered—black hair tied up with a headband, brows furrowed in anger.
Gulp!
Shearer Kane, in his first session, swallowed dryly without thinking.
Black tank top, shorts hugging his thighs—he looked like a MMA fighter.
His physique outdid most players.
Jeong-woo grinned at the already fatigued players.
"Come on, mess up once today. I've got a hellish circuit waiting. Time to fertilize the pitch."
* * *
Time flew to match day.
Bolton University Stadium was packed.
Press box full of reporters too.
Broadcaster Parker Vince, 54 this year, commentated with fresh emotion.
[2011-2012 season, after Bolton dropped to Championship—nine years exactly. Facing Manchester United in preseason opener here at University Stadium! Hits me a bit poignant.]
[What, Parker?]
[Last time I called a game here was nine years ago too. Shows how long Bolton's been away from the EPL...!]
Locker room.
Cheers from both fans echoed nonstop beyond the door.
Inside, Jeong-woo stood center in a sharp black suit.
Dressed up for once.
Even ironed his usual rumpled suit smooth.
Players encircled him.
Jeong-woo scanned their faces carefully.
'These guys are tense but excited underneath.'
Facing not just a strong team, but a global giant—most faces flushed red.
"Time flies, huh? And of all first preseasons, it's Man U. Some might think, 'Fuck! No slacking now!'"
Contrary to his joke, everyone's expressions intensified.
Simple reason.
None had faced an EPL team before.
Before Jeong-woo took the helm, most lingered in reserves or obscurity.
Jeong-woo slouched casually, hands in pants pockets.
"Love every face here. Worried you'd all tuck tails like scared puppies."
He meant it.
Man United was still a powerhouse, even post-Ferguson.
But the players buzzed more with excitement facing an EPL big boy seen only on TV than fear.
Then, Wanderers' chants rang from outside.
Fuck! Manchester United!
Fuck! Manchester United!
Fuck! Manchester United!
Loud enough to vibrate the locker room faintly.
Whatever, Jeong-woo continued.
"That's normal. If the gap's narrowed, fear kicks in... but we're a team that clawed back from the swamp. The difference with Man U is just history and club value."
Might bruise egos.
But no one objected.
Jeong-woo tilted his head slightly and pressed on.
"And media's mocking us as fragile, swamp-bound now. Mostly Red Devils fans."
Sensuous Ruff nodded in agreement.
Shearer Kane, newly joined quickly, clenched his fist tighter.
'Manchester United...!'
First home game for Bolton.
Against a TV-only giant...!
Unknowingly, he hung on Jeong-woo's voice closest.
No, it pierced without effort.
"What I want to say is simple. Gap between us and Man U? Just history and club value. Player differences? Set aside. They brag superiority based on visible gaps."
Jeong-woo winked one eye sharply, raising his voice.
"People are probably mocking we'll get humiliated against a top dog like Man U."
"'Bolton's owner went mad for ticket cash, picking Man U crazy.'"
He added,
"Some say we're desperate to impress Man City... all wrong. You know better. Anyone here not fertilized the pitch?"
Pain flashed across players' faces. Jeong-woo was demonic in training. No rebellion though.
They puked once on field; he ran alongside, urging, puked twice, thrice himself.
Jeong-woo eyed each player sharply.
Then said,
"Today raises your value. Fuck, after all that hell, no results? No fun left in soccer. Do well here, get sold high. Next season, or the one after."
Newcomer Shearer Kane jolted.
Others surged past confidence to dopamine rush.
Jeong-woo kept going.
You can lose this game.
But it's worth a shot.
Really, loss is fine.
Everyone's already calling our defeat.
Raise your value, catch top clubs' eyes.
But the next words made every eye widen.
"So, let's make Manchester blue, even for one day. Show them how terrifying guys with nothing to lose can be."
Come to think, Bolton was blue too.
* * *
Players filed out first.
Coaches followed.
Briefly, only Jeong-woo and Hee-won left in locker room.
Hee-won gazed at Jeong-woo, emotions high, face moved.
'This bastard...!'
Such oratory to stir hearts.
Then.
Thud, thud.
Jeong-woo, frozen statue-like in center, finally moved.
He reached for a spot.
Camera in hand now.
Grinning slyly at puzzled Hee-won, he muttered.
"Edit well, it'll be killer footage? Like Rafael Benítez, Miracle of Istanbul hero from way back? Heh. Ah, cut the 'make Manchester blue one day' line first. Man City suits might misunderstand."
"..."
YouTuber camera.
Hee-won looked at Jeong-woo admiringly, in a new way.
"You... had it all planned from the start?"
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