Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Coach
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"What the hell was that with Adam Dolan?"
"Must be a fluke, right?"
"Haa..."
Martin Leo wanted to bellow that there was no way that play was just luck after watching it unfold, but he swallowed the urge deep down and let out a heavy sigh instead.
Right before kicking the ball forward, Adam Dolan had clearly turned his head to check the exact spot he wanted to send it to.
And there was even a player who had spotted that movement, confirmed the same space, and sprinted into position...
There was no hiding his astonishment.
On top of that, the composure to check the goalkeeper's position and boldly finish into the net.
It was practically an open goal, but even so, this was another long-range strike following his first goal.
A long-range goal.
Just as the term implied, it meant he could target the opponent's net directly from distance.
"Is that why he made those demands... aiming for this?"
Martin Leo was floored, words failing him.
Confidence in his shot power and finishing ability, backed by the actual skill to match.
He was proving it all before halftime had even ended.
With that level of attacking prowess, it really was a waste to confine him to fullback.
Now he could see why a position change was on the table.
His movement to receive the ball when the team was under pressure was top-class.
Normally, the second team would struggle just to hold possession.
But with just Lee Si-eon added to the mix, the entire squad had come alive.
Especially Adam Dolan.
He'd shown flashes of brilliant passes occasionally, but truly just occasionally.
Infrequent enough that it seemed more like luck than skill, so he hadn't factored into Martin Leo's plans anytime soon.
But this match? He was outstanding.
Even accounting for Lee Si-eon supporting him on the side, this had to be Dolan hatching from his shell on his own.
"Si-eon and Dolan, huh..."
"Coach, those two look the best out there this game, don't they?"
"...Yeah."
How did this guy only spout the most obvious, nutrient-deficient drivel?
People said the coaching staff had jumped ship en masse when the previous manager got the boot, and they'd scrambled to fill the spots, but this was ridiculous.
Right now, Martin Leo had no one he could even have a tactical discussion with.
"Haa... We've got a long way to go."
Finding gems was great, but it was a harsh reminder that he was still wading through the muck.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The halftime score was 2:0.
Against everyone's expectations, the second team made up of Lee Si-eon and the youth players had utterly dominated—practically toyed with—the opposition.
Naturally, Martin Leo headed to the first-team players, while the two coaches assigned to the second team approached them.
"Si-eon! That was incredible! At this rate, you'll be promoted this season, no doubt!"
The coaches swarmed over as halftime hit, chattering away.
He'd initially thought it was match feedback and listened attentively, but no matter how long he waited, it just felt like bootlicking flattery.
Why show up now? Amazing plays. Just keep it up in the second half.
'Hopeless...'
Their expressions and gestures screamed failure from the start.
The same words could encourage a player needing a confidence boost, but this wasn't it.
Just babbling in genuine shock.
He could've grabbed random Espanyol fans off the street and gotten the same reaction.
No—fans' cheers and passion would actually help more.
And he wasn't putting up with this frustration anymore.
"Coaches, if you've gotten your fanboying out of your systems, you can go rest now, right?"
"Wh-what?"
"Oh, was that supposed to be match feedback? Feels like you could've grabbed any passerby and they'd say the same... right?"
The mood plummeted in an instant.
"You little... Hoo..."
Before they could continue, he turned and walked away.
"Hey, hold on..."
He faintly caught voices talking behind him.
As he sat on the bench, Martin Leo came over and took a seat beside him.
"How did it feel, playing your first match?"
"Eh... Still shaking off the rust, feels a bit awkward."
"Ho... Even after that performance, you're saying it's not enough?"
"Just personal regrets. Anyway, what'd you think?"
The timing felt pretty good, actually.
Almost like he'd laid out the board for this on purpose.
"Think about what? Want my evaluation of your skills?"
He threw the question back, but there was no way he didn't grasp the intent.
The knowing curve of his smile proved it.
"I know you'll acknowledge the skill... I mean the position thing I mentioned before."
"I remember it well. The somewhat lenient condition where you can switch if I approve."
Emphasizing that it hinged on his permission, positioning himself above.
But Martin Leo was the coach, and he was the player.
The hierarchy was set—why use that tone?
A coach was inherently above any player.
Except for one case.
The team's pillar.
How could he spot that after just one training session?
Precisely because of it—he had no choice but to see him as the ace to lead the team.
Skipping authorized rest for jet lag to train, then dominating with an underdog squad.
Denying it here would be absurd.
Martin Leo definitely had the chops to lead Espanyol's golden era ahead.
"Right... lenient condition."
"But that's not what I meant just now."
A position change was needed, sure, but not urgently.
He wanted to tackle it after settling body and mind—not his style to dive in raw.
"Remember the second condition?"
"Pedro Yong, you mean? I checked him out after you mentioned. Impressive prospect. But one good training session doesn't mean I'll cave."
"Yeah, not asking to sign him now. Window's closing anyway, and I was targeting the next one from the start."
"Then what are you getting at?"
"You saw what I did with Dolan, right?"
"Hm... So you really did something there."
"Hoo..."
The words he was about to say made even him—on his second life—nervous.
"Honestly, the current coaches are hopeless. How about we talk team composition going forward?"
"..."
Once the words spilled out, they flowed freely.
He'd planned to meddle in team building anyway, but not declare it outright like this.
Take over the squad gradually, build influence.
But the coach's vibe—like 'prove it and go wild'—pushed him to gamble.
...
"Uhahahahaha!! Hahaha... Huhuh?!"
"Hm..."
Was this level of laughter a good sign?
He'd planned to shake that smug composure after seeing him brush off everything calmly, but not like this.
He waited until Martin Leo calmed from his fit.
"Hoo... Heh... Sorry. Haven't heard something this amusing in ages—couldn't hold back."
Back to his usual tone, like the outburst never happened.
"The coaches... already caused some trouble?"
"Not trouble, but... didn't seem reliable."
Instead of scolding the rookie's boldness, the coach asked if the coaches had slipped up.
Seemed Martin Leo was fed up with the dead weight too.
"True, calling the current coaches competent shows a slight... shortfall. But that doesn't mean I have to heed your opinion."
Straight talk.
Coaches incompetent, so chat with players? Fix or train the coaches—don't drag players into it. He'd never seen that.
"How about another condition then?"
"Fine by me. If it motivates you to push harder, it's a win for me regardless."
"I'll turn three players, including Adam Dolan, into compelling starters. If I succeed, seriously consider what I said."
"Music to my ears... No loss for me, so go ahead. Even two would be worth it. Dolan's already halfway polished."
Done.
Board was set.
Now he just had to perform.
The rest would follow naturally.
"Then I'll prep for the second half. Any feedback?"
"Hm... Not feedback, but can you show some defensive work in the second?"
Here, he was certain.
He could go all in with Martin Leo.
