Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Firmly and Brilliantly (5)
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Black-Haired Tactical Genius
Chapter 84: Firmly and Brilliantly (5)
From the moment the columnist uploaded that post, interest in Mad Dog boiled over even more.
The media often acts as an amplifier.
Just like that, word spread like wildfire in waves that a Premier League coach—of world-class caliber, no less—had praised Mad Dog's tactics.
And in the process, it got distorted.
[Premier League's Top-Tier Manager! Applying Mad Dog's Tactics to...!]
Public opinion reacted swiftly.
- : I had no idea someone named Mad Dog even existed until today. But apparently, he's pretty amazing?
- : Came here after hearing the rumors. I checked out World Management and searched for Mad Dog. I was shocked. I have a coaching license myself..., wow! This guy reeks of pro-level expertise.
: I'm a Manager in the fifth division. I've borrowed Mad Dog's tactics a few times. In simple terms..., Mad Dog is like the textbook of tactics.
Ma Jeong-woo's name started popping up too.
It was for a simple reason.
Mad Dog had already once praised Bolton's manager in a report after watching a Blackpool vs. Bolton match.
In the columnist's piece, the manager was even introduced as someone who had defeated opponents employing Mad Dog's tactics not once, but twice.
Some Wanderers fans reacted warmly.
- : Whoever it is, if they're praising our manager now, it puts me in a good mood.
- : Director Ma definitely has the tactical chops! Nothing like Derek Scott!
: Scott? That guy rotting in jail? He's no manager. He's a criminal!
Of course, most reactions were ones of disbelief.
- : Seriously, getting all puffed up over praise from some anonymous online tactician whose real name we don't even know?
- : Come on, this is too much. Even if Jimmy Jones or Eric Laye acknowledged him, it's still just praise from some nobody.
- : Exactly. I don't get how praise from an online tactician ends up in the media like this. Ma is a pro manager! Meanwhile, this Mad Dog internet user—we don't even know if he's a real coach!
And the one who poured gasoline on the fire was none other than..., Ma Jeong-woo.
He posted very briefly on SNS.
[Comparing keyboard warriors who exist only online to an actual working manager.]
“You crazy bastard! Who told you to trash-talk like that!”
Just like any other day, Park Hee-won was checking new articles on his phone when he jolted upright and shouted.
He had trash-talked for real.
* * *
One hour later.
“Why did you do it? Tell me. Why?”
Park Hee-won stormed into the owner's office and stood rigidly in front of the desk, his face full of incomprehension.
Ma Jeong-woo was sprawled in the executive chair, looking up at him.
With a fairly serious expression, Jeong-woo stopped picking his nose midway, furrowed his brow slightly, and asked back.
“What, nose-picking?”
“You insane fool! This!”
Park Hee-won held up his smartphone. It showed his SNS post and a flood of explosive replies below it.
Jeong-woo narrowed his eyes and glanced at it, then let out a snort of laughter.
It was all insults.
“Ah, that?”
“That?!”
Park Hee-won was dumbfounded to see Jeong-woo smirking as if he'd just remembered.
He let out a deep sigh.
“Phew! Come on, I didn't tell you to trash-talk like that!”
“Then how should I have done it?”
When Jeong-woo shot back, Park Hee-won suddenly recalled a movie scene and adopted a dramatic tone.
He even gestured as if aware of the camera.
“And..., I am Mad Dog...! Something like that. Then the camera strobes go flash-flash-flash right after.”
“Damn it, am I Tony Stark?”
Jeong-woo just clicked his tongue at Park Hee-won.
Even that reaction was incomprehensible to him.
“No, why not trash-talk the identity..., no. Why not reveal it publicly? Why?”
He hadn't revealed his identity—he'd just trashed Mad Dog outright.
The ripple effect was bigger than expected.
Self-proclaimed Mad Dog fans on World Management had swarmed YouTuber channels, unleashing a barrage of criticism.
From a manager who'd come up from the third division, no less.
But Jeong-woo didn't care.
Instead, he shared his thoughts froMad Dogifferent angle.
“There are a few reasons.”
“What are they? Let's hear it.”
Park Hee-won carelessly set down a water gun on the desk and asked.
Jeong-woo's right hand instinctively reached for the cigarette pack on the desk.
Even as he did, he continued.
“If it gets out that I'm Mad Dog, sure there'll be benefits, but drawbacks too. For starters, opponents will obviously study my tactical foundation.”
That was a risky part, no doubt.
Jürgen Klopp's Gegenpressing, Pep Guardiola's Tiki-Taka.
Tottenham's Son-Kane duo counterattacks.
What they had in common was dominating the league for at least half a season, or longer.
Another commonality: they were inevitably cracked by opponents over time.
Tottenham's Son Heung-min and Harry Kane-centric tactics, in particular, had their weaknesses pierced after just half a season.
“They couldn't even muster proper strength in the second half of the season.”
In that regard, the tactics Jeong-woo had uploaded to World Management were quite extensive.
Of course, they weren't made with full effort poured into each one.
And each tactic had its own strengths and weaknesses.
But one key point.
“The foundation and core, literally.”
“Foundation and core?”
“Yeah. Even if the tactics vary, the core foundation is unified.”
Just look at Liverpool's leader, Jürgen Klopp—he still uses Gegenpressing as his mainstay.
But compare four years ago to now, and it looks like a whole different tactic with all the changes.
Over time, he supplements the flaws.
Sometimes deriving new tactics from Gegenpressing as the base.
“Like how Gegenpressing originated from Arrigo Sacchi's Sakism.”
Sakism referred to pressure-based soccer tactics.
And countermeasures for it had already been developed.
So, Mad Dog's tactics weren't immune to countermeasures either.
He had laid them bare, presenting at least 20 tactical boards per tactic, plus responses for every situation.
On one hand, it surprised Jeong-woo too.
‘I didn't expect it to blow up this much.’
He already knew his tactical level was high from watching a few matches.
The results proved it.
Sure, it only worked against lower league teams so far.
He had faced Manchester United, but they weren't at full strength.
‘And I don't even know who this Premier League coach who mentioned Mad Dog is.’
From Jeong-woo's perspective, the media had inflated the topic.
‘Way too much.’
He had seen it himself.
Articles growing more sensational with each iteration to rack up views.
Still, Jeong-woo smugly added.
Attention was good, after all.
“Of course, even if my full tactics are exposed, the odds of me getting cracked are slim..., but there's always that one-in-a-million chance.”
Especially since Jeong-woo valued strategy above all in real matches.
He might seem a bit off otherwise, but he was dead serious about tactics and strategy.
And he hated exposing any weakness to opponents.
“Providing even a sliver of weakness can lead to defeat down the line.”
It might not happen immediately, but since the tactics were public, they could be cracked anytime.
“Plus, this is live warfare right now.”
Jeong-woo then spread two fingers and grinned.
“Second reason: if Mad Dog zealots keep popping up, that's even better. Mirror matches become that much easier for us.”
Exactly as he said.
‘They're up against my own tactics.’
Jeong-woo hated tough fights.
Right now, quick wins were best—conserving player stamina while steadily piling up points.
So he had no desire to reveal he was Mad Dog.
‘Who knows who's using my tactics already? Two third-division managers have admitted to adapting them.’
A mirror match was as good as securing three points from the start.
Even with modifications, if it bore his color, he was confident he could break it.
Afterward, Jeong-woo explained a few more reasons.
The more Park Hee-won heard, the more convinced he became.
Before long, Park Hee-won plopped onto the sofa, his worries seemingly eased.
After a long pause, he seemed to mull it over before asking.
“What if you get caught?”
“What? That I'm Mad Dog?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, then we'll deal with whatever future comes.”
Jeong-woo flashed a broad grin and spread his arms wide, as if embracing an overwhelming future.
Jeong-woo really seemed properly crazy.
* * *
Amid the boiling controversy, matchday 10 of the league kicked off.
Ipswich Town manager Jaël Glove wore a bewildered smile.
Bolton starting Manchester City's young talent Cole Palmer and Frank Gerrard was fine.
But the rest of the lineup looked like a virtual second string against them.
‘The nerve...!’
It was absurd for Jaël Glove.
Sure, they were dead last at 24th with not a single win, but the season was barely half over.
‘Park! Owen! Shearer! No lineup without them!’
Bolton's core players were all missing.
‘Fallen legend, huh? It's true...!’
Lately, the media had been buzzing with that.
Bolton's manager had racked up wins last season but was now flailing due to his legendary status.
Hence losing games they should've won.
Jaël Glove decided to turn it into an opportunity.
Grit!
His pride stung, teeth grinding, but he planned to ruthlessly exploit Bolton's weakened lineup.
‘I’ll give them a thrashing!’
Clang-!
[GOOOAAAL! Cole Palmer!]
The 189cm tall Cole Palmer grinned like a child after scoring.
It was Bolton's opener at the 27th minute of the first half.
From a corner kick, no less.
Palmer had lurked between defenders before bursting far-post to head it in.
‘It's fine! Still early!’
Glove's cheek twitched, but he steadied himself.
Just one goal.
He knew Palmer's weakness too.
‘The kid's physical is weak for his size. Pressure him to death.’
The mistake was purely defensive marking error.
The problem was Jaël Glove's own massive blunder.
Judging Bolton's lineup as true second-stringers, he'd gone with an ultra-attacking formation.
And so..., Ipswich's half became a boMad Dogment zone.
38th minute of the first half.
Thud-!
[Frank Gerrard!]
The commentators shouted.
Gerrard had intercepted an Ipswich attack from their own center circle with a single right-foot poke.
He followed with a straight ground pass.
Cole Palmer, breaking down the right flank, had slipped behind the fullback and lifted a half-volley.
Thud!
Bang-!
Clang-!
[GOOOAL Palmer! What is this?! Palmer! Appealing to Manager Ma for a starting spot with his performance!]
41st minute of the first half.
Tweet-!
Clang-!
[GOOOAAAL! Bolton Wanderers!]
[This time Frank Gerrard blasts one in from outside the area!]
[Three bombs in the first half alone! Rebellion from the Manchester City loanees!]
45th minute of the first half.
Clang-!
Even the commentators let out sympathetic sighs.
[Ahh! Ipswich...!]
[How hard can it be to snag one win!]
The absurdity peaked at the 43rd minute of the second half.
One commentator, catching his breath, checked his phone for news and couldn't hide his shock.
[Ipswich Town Manager Jaël Glove! Sacked After 10 Matches Without a Win!]
The match hadn't even ended, but the club had unilaterally announced his dismissal.
* * *
After the match, Jeong-woo entered the press conference.
As usual, some reporters lobbed uncomfortable questions his way.
Known for hurling insults at reporters, he was the ultimate brat among them.
Of course, Jeong-woo brushed it off and fired back.
After some time passed.
“With the Mad Dog buzz ongoing..., isn't trashing Mad Dog just a cheap ploy to grab attention?”
A reporter asked with a twisted smile.
It was Leon Moses, the one who'd taken a knuckle sandwich from Jeong-woo before.
Moses had been pushing the narrative that Jeong-woo was using the hot Mad Dog topic to boost his own profile.
Jeong-woo stared him down.
Inside, he cheered.
‘Jackpot. Lighting the fuse himself.’
That was the moment.
Jeong-woo raised both eyebrows and let his mouth run wild.
“Mad Dog is nothing but a ghost who won't even reveal himself. Could be some balding basement keyboard warrior. Or maybe he just pieced tactics together. With a keyboard, internet, and leaked pro tactics from searches..., anyone could call themselves a genius.”
“I don't get hyping some loser who might be a total nerd in his room as a 'tactical genius.' Who knows if it's even a guy or a girl? Right?”
Flash-flash-flash! Flash-flash-flash!
Camera strobes exploded in his face.
Even then, Jeong-woo realized.
‘Oh right, I am Mad Dog.’
Anyway, now was the time to stick to the present reality.
* * *
[Mad Dog might just be a total nerd.]
“...”
Zallico Bubac smirked at the TV screen.
“Seriously..., is this guy really Mad Dog?”
He looked like a moth liable to veer off anywhere.
[Oh, and Mr. Moses. Got a gift for you.]
[What...?]
On screen, Jeong-woo clenched his fist, supported his wrist with his palm, and thrust it at the reporter.
[Have a Korean-style potato punch.]
“...”
On second look, he was just a spark liable to fly anywhere.