Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Let's Secure the Real Gains (2)
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Black-Haired Tactical Genius
Frank Gerrard (18) was born in Liverpool, Merseyside, Northwest England.
As a Liverpool native, he was a die-hard supporter of the club.
On top of that, bearing the surname Gerrard, he had idolized Steven Gerrard since childhood.
This admiration was largely acquired later in life.
Just hearing his surname made people react with intrigue.
“Gerrard? That's a cool name. Perfect for Liverpool.”
“Were you born with that name to become the second Steven Gerrard? Huh?”
“Frank, you're going to be a great footballer.”
Adults showed affection and showered him with praise based solely on his surname.
Naturally, Frank Gerrard grew to idolize Steven Gerrard and nurtured his dream of becoming a footballer.
But reality was harsh.
As a child, his small stature compared to his peers kept him from even stepping foot in Liverpool's youth academy.
After much persistence, he managed to join Manchester City's academy.
Even then, he never gave up on his dream of signing with Liverpool.
Frank Gerrard threw himself into training and devoured every food that could help him grow to overcome his physical shortcomings.
The result?
“Come to Bolton.”
“Bolton... you say?”
Frank Gerrard blinked his large eyes.
Ma Jeong-woo, sitting across the table, grinned at the young man's wide stare.
He recalled his recent conversation with Carson.
‘Frank Gerrard is still physically immature. That's why he failed to get promoted to the reserves this season too.’
‘But his technical skills seem reserve-level, no?’
‘Of course. His technical completion is more than enough for reserves.’
That explained it.
Unlike his famous namesake, the black-haired Frank Gerrard before him had a small frame.
‘Size-wise, he's like a young Ngolo Kante.’
His height, under 170cm, said it all.
But Ma Jeong-woo had seen it clearly in practice matches.
As a defensive midfielder, he had tackling and interception skills, plus ball-carrying ability and off-the-ball movement.
One word came to mind.
‘Hexagon.’
Bolton's current captain, David Dignity, was also close to a hexagon player.
But he was bluntly average at best—league one level.
No standout abilities.
His agility was particularly poor, often falling for quick dribbles.
But this Gerrard was different.
‘Incredibly sharp, with great work rate too.’
Ma Jeong-woo pictured it.
‘Pair him with David Dignity in midfield. Perfect big-and-small combo in a double pivot.’
Fortunately, Carson had approved the loan for this Frank Gerrard.
It was Pep Guardiola's decision too.
But the persuasion was entirely up to him.
Prioritizing the player, Pep and Carson made it clear: if Gerrard didn't want it, no loan.
With that, Ma Jeong-woo was about to launch into his full pitch, energy flask freshly topped up...
“Say...!”
“I'll go.”
“Huh?”
Ma Jeong-woo barely got a word out before blurting a dumbfounded response.
In that instant, Frank Gerrard's large eyes sparkled.
“You mean a loan to Bolton Wanderers? Count me in.”
Ma Jeong-woo's half-open mouth slowly closed.
He stared straight at Gerrard.
His narrowed eyes asked the unspoken question.
Wait, why?
* * *
Shwaaaaa—!
Frank Gerrard stood alone under the shower stream.
Even as he did, his mind raced.
‘This is my chance...!’
Deep down, he still dreamed of joining Liverpool—Anfield, specifically.
Someday, whenever that might be.
Naturally, he was a Kopite.
Which made Manchester United the ultimate enemy—pure rivalry.
Manchester City had become rivals to Liverpool since the 2010s.
But the history and depth of that feud paled compared to United.
Many Kopites and Cityzens didn't even see each other as true rivals.
Just big clubs competing in the league.
That's where Gerrard had seen it clearly.
A few days ago, the black-haired manager leading Bolton had utterly dismantled Manchester United.
It gave him chills all over.
And it felt damn good.
Watching United crumble like a sandcastle to two counters.
After the match, Bolton's manager said this in his interview.
[Someone once said there's only two paths in this world: grow or die. So... Bolton will help you grow so you don't die.]
[It's your decision. Think it over, really think. Whether to join us Wanderers or not. Through hardships or despair. If you're stagnating, knock on doors and fight. The more you do, the stronger you'll get.]
It was Ma Jeong-woo's response to a question about affiliation agreements and loan players.
After watching the United game, hearing those words shook Frank Gerrard to his core.
‘Grow or die...’
Those words hit hard, despite his youth.
He'd been rejected by clubs for his size.
Back then, each academy rejection made his footballer dream fade.
But that manager said:
[Bolton is a place of opportunity. I'm the manager who can develop talent like you.]
So brazenly confident.
Yet it didn't sound empty.
Maybe because he'd pulled off that upset against United.
Gerrard didn't know tactics well, but even to the eye, Bolton's manager handled his players masterfully.
And post-match, mingling with them... it felt so approachable.
‘Like a big brother.’
Realistically, League One experience beat sticking in U-19s.
So he chose Bolton.
In the end, Ma Jeong-woo realized he had a habit of rambling without even noticing.
* * *
A darkened office.
Only one computer monitor emitted a white glow.
Seated before it, Horwich Daily reporter Kevin Potters hammered away at his typewriter.
Yet he couldn't shake the shock.
‘Impossible...!’
Potters had covered Bolton nonstop from just before last season's end to now.
Focusing on the owner-manager especially.
He was certain.
Of a scoop.
And that the recent good form hid some trick.
‘Assault! Blackmail! No professional ethics!’
That's what Jeong-woo's Korean acquaintances had said.
Every interview was negative.
But his actual reporting told a different story.
‘The Ma I saw... led staff meetings.’
Everyone listened intently to Jeong-woo.
And more.
‘I even trained with them.’
What manager trains with the squad?
At 100% intensity!
But that's Jeong-woo.
He monitored each player's workload while running alongside.
Dragging stragglers if needed—tough as nails physically.
And so damn disciplined.
‘In at 6 AM for one-on-ones...’
Potters saw it.
Club owner office door opened sharp at 6.
Jeong-woo in training gear, heading to the center.
There, rotating with Sensuous Ruff, ace Park, Owen Precise, etc.
One-on-one sessions weekly.
Then 8 AM cafe for light breakfast.
9 AM staff meetings.
9:45 first-team training.
Lunch at noon.
‘Afternoon sessions after...’
It didn't stop.
Post-afternoon, suited up for team leader meetings.
Then club tours.
Lately, overseeing food corner construction...
‘Evenings: scouting beyond Bolton...’
Sometimes with the Manager, even to Scotland.
Schedules varied, sure.
But recalling Jeong-woo's routine darkened the bags under Potters' eyes.
He muttered to himself.
“Weekly kindergarten collab for owner office camping...”
That shocked Potters too.
Suddenly, kids barely waist-high swarmed the office like a playground.
He saw it.
The owner bound by climbing kids.
His face... serene.
“Stadium maintenance...”
Simple fixes.
AC broken or short-staffed, Jeong-woo grabbed tools from facilities and fixed it himself.
“Not just... a gimmick.”
Jeong-woo repaired the AC like a pro.
Spotting Potters in the shadows, he said:
‘Did some GOP during military service—facilities guy. If contractors were late, we'd tinker first.’
Potters didn't know GOP or facilities soldier, but Jeong-woo was more versatile than expected.
A doubt arose.
“Is that guy... really a Terminator?”
No human could handle that workload.
At the same time, a strange feeling writhed in Potters' chest.
He'd felt it weeks ago.
Against United prep, man-to-man, he was smitten.
Thud-!
Potters pulled his hands from the keys.
The screen held a brief chronicle of Jeong-woo's days since coverage began.
“Ahem.”
He couldn't look away.
Shock gone from his face.
Instead, his pupils trembled faintly, past scenes of Bolton's manager flashing by.
Now, Potters could conclude.
Owner-manager Ma Jeong-woo had ‘passion’ and ‘love.’
For everything Bolton Wanderers.
* * *
Time flew.
Bolton Wanderers capped preseason with a 3-0 win over Turton, finishing 5-0.
Fans buzzed with season expectations.
Hadn't they loaned Frank Gerrard (18) and Cole Palmer (19) from Man City?
- : Transmarket values Cole Palmer at 1.5M pounds (3.23B KRW)! Frank Gerrard 1.2M (1.9B)!
: Wow, kids not even pros yet over 1M?
: Palmer hit 2M (3.1B) pre-injury. Still full of talent, unlimited potential.
Wanderers pinned big hopes on the loanees.
Some no longer saw Championship promotion as impossible.
- : Time to admit. Jeong-woo Ma has top-tier tactics—beat United too.
: Fair. We took hits, but it was defense. Minimized risk, solid guard, waited for one shot!
: Say it right. Two shots, both counters.
Most Wanderers now acknowledged Jeong-woo's tactics.
Existing players' form rose steadily, now with City loanees.
And Jeong-woo announced more.
Via Bolton Funding, two or three more signings for squad depth.
Local and other dailies predicted high for Bolton.
Weststern: 7th.
Turton: 8th.
Blackroad: 5th.
Outside Bolton, mid-table consensus.
* * *
August 12.
League opener days away.
Bolton official site posted Bolton-Funding update.
[Invest in League Two's QPR left-back Morten Pedersen!]
[We run the team with you!]
[Live investment: 100K pounds (150M KRW)]
[Ends: Aug 15, 2021, 8 PM]
Below: Morten Pedersen bio, scout reports on current ability/potential per scout.
Including owner-manager Jeong-woo's.
Each view: 7 pence (100 KRW) charge.