Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: The Numbers Are There to Be Read (5)
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Black-Haired Tactical Genius
Chapter 64: The Numbers Are There to Be Read (5)
Uwaaaaaaaaah-!
The Bolton Wanderers fans leaped to their feet as one, practically flying into the air as they roared.
It was a massive upset.
"Whoa, fuck."
Even Ma Jeong-woo couldn't hold back the curse that slipped from his lips.
A free kick created by Chong-a Pak.
Owen Precise nailed it with pristine precision and power.
The ball, struck with the inside of his instep and whipped with heavy spin, cleared the defensive wall by a fist's width over their heads.
It then curved in a sideways arc into the corner where the keeper couldn't even dream of reaching.
This was a wonder goal crafted purely by Owen Precise himself.
"Hmm... feels like there's even more power in his ankle now?"
The fruits of their one-on-one tutoring sessions, perhaps.
Jeong-woo's lips were now stretched in a grin that threatened to split his face.
There was no need to hide his joy at the impending victory anymore.
A quick glance showed every Manchester United player staring blankly in defeat, their faces utterly deflated.
Some didn't even have focus in their eyes.
The game was over.
What followed was straightforward.
Having pulled off another unexpected goal, Jeong-woo eliminated even the slightest risk.
The commentators turned toward the fourth official.
[The Bolton bench is pulling out substitution cards!]
[Three players at once!]
Out came Sensuous Rough, Chong-a Pak, and even Owen Precise—all their attacking threats subbed off.
In their place, defensive reinforcements parked the bus—two of them, in fact.
Even in the process, they found gaps to:
Thwack-!
Crash-!
"Aaaargh!"
Provoke United's young talents into Middle Eastern bed soccer fits of rage.
Meanwhile, Mike Phelan, who had taken coMad Dog after Solskjær's sending-off, issued no new instructions.
In his eyes, the game was already done.
It became certainty the moment Jeong-woo stripped his attack bare.
Better to end it like this than trot out the starters and eat more shit.
With Bolton milking time through celebrations, barely four minutes remained.
The moment the ball went out of play over the touchline, a banana dropped at Jeong-woo's feet.
A glance back at the stands revealed a man in a vivid red jersey amid the sea of Bolton kits.
"That guy's got balls."
Jeong-woo smirked.
He'd clearly ditched his seat just to chuck this banana, sneaking into the Bolton supporters' section.
That Red Devil bellowed in fury.
"Uwaaaargh! What a fucking boring game!"
Jeong-woo's mental translation?
Yeah.
We fucking crushed it.
The Red Devils in the stands couldn't continue.
They'd wandered into Wanderers territory, after all.
"Ugh, ugh!"
With that, he was silenced as burly Wanderers fans grabbed his mouth, arms, and body, dragging him away.
What came next was best left to the imagination.
* * *
Flash, flash, flash!
The moment Jeong-woo stepped into the press conference, camera strobes assaulted his eyes.
He squinted slightly at the onslaught, then settled into his seat with a smile curving his lips.
"Manager, you employed several tactics against Manchester United today. Could you elaborate?"
One reporter asked, cheeks flushed with excitement.
Jeong-woo grabbed a water bottle from the table and replied.
"We mixed three tactics. The common thread? They were all defense-first. Against a powerhouse like United, you can't afford risky plays."
"What do you mean by 'risky'?"
"Simple: not giving them counter chances. Especially not before our defense is set. Teams like United would shred us without a sound."
An undeniable truth.
That's why he always prioritized defense, ensuring it was organized.
"Was it true that you relayed tactical instructions through Bolton kids in the stands? Any reason why?"
The press had caught on after several card sections.
Jeong-woo shrugged.
"Our tactical signaling isn't perfect yet, so we borrowed from the supporters."
It also prevented quick opponent reactions.
Like a pitcher's ball suddenly popping from behind the batter and diving in.
Questions kept coming.
Some reporters gazed at Jeong-woo with genuine admiration.
He'd just beaten United 2-0.
Sure, football loved its upsets.
Seven years ago, United got thrashed 4-0 by MK Dons from League Two.
But some rated Bolton's game management even higher.
Even now, they watched him with sparkling eyes, thinking:
'Dons scored mostly off United mistakes!'
'That United side was in a total slump!'
'But Bolton's different...! United dominated the flow, yet Bolton took the points!'
Of course, some glared daggers at Jeong-woo.
The Manchester United sympathizers.
"Manager, after the 70th minute, you played that Middle Eastern soccer you got flak for at Wigan. Aren't you ashamed?"
The expected question.
Many Brits still saw Middle Eastern tactics as dirty.
But Jeong-woo was shameless.
"Did it look like Middle Eastern soccer to you?"
"If not, what was it?"
Jeong-woo feigned thought, then flashed white teeth.
"We just played a bit dirtier than usual."
"W-what?"
The reporter faltered at the unexpected response.
Jeong-woo was too brazen.
He cocked his head sideways, heron mode activated.
"Exactly that. We played dirty. Rolled in the mud together. United got played. And... some outlets said even against a team like Bolton, United needed a four-goal win to dodge criticism. No matter the circumstances."
Jeong-woo narrowed his eyes.
"Nick Powell from Sky Sports wrote that piece, right, Mr. Powell?"
The questioner's face—Powell himself—burned crimson.
Charlotte Emma might blow up at his combative reply.
But he had to say it.
"Victory means no holds barred. Short of injuring opponents and violating sportsmanship. And..."
Jeong-woo trailed off, chuckling dryly.
"If United led by one, I wouldn't have played dirty, would I?"
"..."
He fanned the flames openly.
But the United-friendly press fell silent.
They'd lost.
Jeong-woo didn't stop.
He delivered his earlier line, tweaking just the end.
"Ultimately, Manchester United was sorted on our turf."
Having actually won, the impact was worlds apart.
The United reporters trembled in impotent rage.
Jeong-woo was certain.
Whatever else, a connection formed with a big club like Manchester United.
A thin thread of history between the teams.
'Grow it into a local derby.'
Endless commercial value.
This match alone etched Bolton deep into minds.
* * *
Post-match media reaction exploded.
[Manchester United! First League Two Loss in 7 Years!]
[Bolton! 2-0 Win Over Manchester United!]
[Owen Precise, Chong-a Pak! Top Ratings for Both Teams!]
[Ole Gunnar Solskjær! Sent Off in Preseason for Ref Protest... Red Devils' 'Another Black Mark... Embarrassing!']
Even Wanderers saw it as a miracle.
- : What the hell? We beat United? Even preseason, this is praiseworthy AF.
- : Beat a team where one player’s worth equals our club’s valuation. Still pissing myself.
- : This was a real game disguised as friendly! United came full throttle.
Solskjær, sent off mid-match, stayed mum.
Red Devils unleashed fury on him.
Jeong-woo poured oil.
He posted a photo on his SNS: him striding to midfield post-whistle, smirking.
Behind: blue sky, contrasting players.
United slumped or sat dejected.
Bolton beamed, arms wide in joy.
Hugging even.
Caption below:
[Look, Manchester's blue alright.]
Hashtags: #MaJeongwooMerch #StressRelief #FanTalkChallenge #DurableAF
Winning was everything.
* * *
With Bolton vs. Manchester United broadcast worldwide, Korean soccer galleries erupted.
- <LifeIs90Miles> : Y'all watch Bolton?
<UijeongbuDdeok> : Huh?
<LifeIs90Miles> : Bolton sank Maeng-gu lololol
- <OxygenTankLuvr> : First manager high since Vietnam's Park Hong-seo fr.
- <HobbyIsSleeping> : Wait, Korean manager in Prem? Bolton?!
<ChongAPak> : Bro. When was Bolton last in League One?
<HobbyIsSleeping> : League One = Tier 1?
<BlueDragon> : What an idiot? Why's a soccer noob here.
Even Korean media splashed it big.
[Relegated-to-League-One Bolton! Massive Upset in Friendly vs. Man Utd!]
[Park Chong-a! Man Utd Youth Crumble to Owen Precise Thunderbolt!]
[Black-Haired Bolton Boss Ma Jeong-woo Makes Manchester Blues!]
Jinju CF staff from Jeong-woo's days flipped instantly.
[Jinju CF Owner: 'Bolton's Ma? We Produced Him!']
Like proud parents, via interview cam.
Jeong-woo saw, screenshotted, posted on SNS with one word:
[凸]
* * *
A day passed.
Among Man City reserves, one team buzzed lately.
Bolton Wanderers.
"I watched yesterday's game. Insane."
"Who?"
"Owen Precise, right?"
"Saw it too. That free kick...! Like the ball was alive, curving away from the keeper."
"Honestly, his set pieces might be better than mine."
Break time.
City's prized youth lounged under shade by the bench, chatting.
Mostly: How'd Bolton beat United?
"Our coach said Bolton prepped insanely tactically against United."
"Yeah, looks that way. Every shot blocked."
Some chalked it to luck.
"United's finishing looked off across the board?"
"Some should've gone in. Amad Diallo's offside... debatable. Toenail close."
Still, they relished United's drubbing.
"Got ammo to rib the reserves now, heh!"
Then one got serious.
"Anyway. Thinking of loan to Bolton?"
Silence fell.
They knew Pep Guardiola and Bolton owner-manager's deal.
Public via press.
Hours post-United, BBC official:
[Man City! Affiliate Agreement with Bolton Wanderers!]
Pep kept word.
Bolton beat United convincingly.
Their manager praised for tactical flexibility, man-management.
Mixed on Middle Eastern style.
But none fancied League Two loan.
Most League Two sides below City reserves level.
Bolton barely escaped relegation last season at 16th.
Some saw it as downgrade...!
"I'm going."
Eyes turned.
They gaped.
Cole Palmer, 19, curly blond.
"Want to learn under that manager."
The one dubbed Cole Palmer added to stunned teammates.
"Met already yesterday. With Pep and Bolton's manager."
Jeong-woo's silver tongue had reeled him in.
* * *
A day passed.
Nelson Oakley, third-gen Wanderers family, checked Bolton's homepage.
Refreshed a few times.
Hoping for transfer news.
"Hmm, nothing yet."
Sipped wife’s juice, clicked community board.
"Heh heh heh."
Pleased smile.
Half-season ago, board drowned in hate.
Since Ma Jeong-woo took owner-manager role, vibe shifted.
Dramatically positive.
Mostly praise now.
Wanderers hyped for season.
Beating United topped reasons.
Some time later.
Click-!
Another refresh.
He froze.
"What’s this?"
A new popup appeared.