Excellent Player Overseas Study Abroad Project
I followed Coach Choi Gi-hyeon, who was grinning unpleasantly for some reason, into the coach's office. The place reeked of the usual cigarette stench.
'Ugh! So bright! Is this a flashbang?'
A balding middle-aged man with a shiny head greeted me, shivering a bit.
"Oh, Player Son Jinho! Nice to meet you!"
The balding guy stood up from his seat with a kindly expression and offered a handshake. Hmm. His face looked familiar somehow. He had to be a high-ranking official from the Korea Football Association.
"I'm Jo Yeon-jong, president of the Korea Football Association."
Ah, so he was the president. No wonder this jerk Choi Gi-hyeon was beaming like an idiot.
"I'm Son Jinho, first-year at Geum-sun High."
As I exchanged greetings with the association president, I subtly glanced at Choi Gi-hyeon with just my eyes. There he was, muttering to himself, 'Heh heh. The coach who nurtured a promising talent spotted by the Korea Football Association president? It's me.'
Sigh. Was it really that great? His mouth wouldn't stop grinning ear to ear.
"This might take a while, so why don't we sit down?"
At the president's words, the coach and I took our seats. Confirming that, the president cautiously opened his mouth.
"Player Son Jinho. Are you aware of the study abroad program run by our Korea Football Association?"
"Yeah, I know the basics..."
Just as I nodded and started to reply, the president ignored me and launched straight into a history lecture.
"It all started back in 2000 when Seol Ki-hyun transferred to Royal Antwerp..."
I see. I let the president's words go in one ear and out the other. It was all stuff I already knew.
In 2000, the Korea Football Association actively supported Seol Ki-hyun's overseas transfer. In a way, Seol was the first participant in the Excellent Player Overseas Study Abroad Project.
Then, inspired by Seol's performance in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, the association realized the need for an overseas study program.
Starting with the first cohort of the Excellent Player Overseas Study Abroad Project in 2002, it ran until 2008 but wrapped up after the sixth cohort due to internal backlash and various issues.
'But the fact that they're proposing it to me means...'
It seemed my performances were slowly changing the future.
'Tsk... What if I end up causing Manchester United to fail their dark evolution because of me?'
No way. The best word to tease Winter with was Manggu.
-Hey, don't call me Manggu—!!
While the imaginary Winter vented her anger in my mind...
"The truth is, we were planning to discontinue the Excellent Player Overseas Study Abroad Project."
The boring history lecture finally ended. The president finally explained why he'd come here in person.
"The internal opposition was really fierce. 'Brain drain of prospects,' they said. Everyone had something to complain about. Some schools even nominated candidates, which led to a temporary halt."
Jo Yeon-jong, the association president, took a sip of water as if his throat was dry, then continued.
"But our Son Jinho here has shown such outstanding talent. So I pushed hard for it. 'Just one last time, the absolute last,' I said. We compiled footage from your U-19 national team play and high school league records, sent them to clubs in Germany, England, and Spain. As a result, Borussia Dortmund in Germany and Swansea City in England showed interest."
Excellent Player Study Abroad Program, huh. As I listened to the president, I glanced at Coach Choi Gi-hyeon, who was smirking with a weird glint in his eyes.
From what I knew, other coaches told their players to sandbag games to avoid getting sent abroad.
'Why is this guy so happy about it?'
Man, you never could tell with him.
"Oh, Mr. President. By the way, SBK reached out to Jinho too. It was a variety show planning to film overseas contract tests. How about combining it with this study program?"
Coach Choi Gi-hyeon was even actively pitching ideas to support my overseas study.
"Oh, really?" "Yes, we talked about it just yesterday!"
While Coach Choi Gi-hyeon and the president chatted, I slowly closed my eyes and sank into thought.
Accepting the president's offer would solve the issue of me not going overseas in my previous life.
The FIFA underage transfer ban would be handled by the Korea Football Association.
They'd probably send an official letter to FIFA's Ethics Committee requesting special exception treatment as a unique case.
For reference, Son Heung-min went to Hamburg the same way.
At first glance, it sounded like a golden opportunity. But later, when the truth about Son Heung-min's Germany study came out, the shock was massive.
'The dispatched staff sent to manage the kids got arrested for theft, leaving the players neglected, right?'
He mentioned internal backlash, but maybe they were trying to cover up that incident too.
As I made a serious face, Coach Choi Gi-hyeon burst out laughing and patted my back.
"Haha, looks like Jinho's worried about going overseas."
I snorted at his words. Did he think I was a kid scared of going abroad?
"Don't worry, Jinho! This loyal coach Choi Gi-hyeon will go with you and take good care of you!"
Uh. That actually sounded kinda scary. I gave him a dubious look before bursting into laughter. Hate turning to affection, I guess. Well, if Coach Choi Gi-hyeon was coming along, at least I wouldn't be bored abroad. Nice to have someone I knew.
"So, who'll be the coach at Geum-sun High then?"
But what came out of my mouth was different from my true feelings. It wasn't like confessing love to Winter. Kinda awkward spilling my heart to a crusty old uncle.
"Huh? The assistant coach can handle it. That guy's been studying tactics hard lately."
I let out a genuine sigh at Coach Choi Gi-hyeon's follow-up.
Aw, man. Coach Ki-hyeon. Please. Study some yourself.
I told the president I'd think positively about it and left the coach's office.
What can I say? My mood was all mixed up. Honestly, I really wanted to go study abroad. In my previous life, I never got to challenge the European stage.
But there was one serious problem.
Getting neglected wasn't an issue. If I were a real high schooler, maybe, but my mind was that of a veteran midfielder.
'Plus, Coach Choi Gi-hyeon is coming along anyway.'
Language wasn't a problem either. I didn't know German, but my English was decent.
More than those minor things, the real issue was that if I went abroad, I wouldn't see Winter.
This was a truly serious problem. To me, Winter was light and salt—essential, indispensable to life.
"Winter, today the football association asked if I wanted to go study soccer in Europe."
After finishing with the president, I headed straight home and spilled everything to Winter. Brooding alone wasn't my style.
And since we were going to get married, there shouldn't be any secrets, right? Most relationships break over petty misunderstandings. Rebuilding lost trust is that much harder.
"Of course you have to go! It's Europe!"
Anyway, Winter, hearing my story, got mad like I'd said something ridiculous.
"But if I go study abroad, I won't see you?" "Wait a sec!"
At my words, Winter put on a serious face and pondered, then dashed out in her pajamas.
-Mom! Send me abroad too!
Did the door not close properly? I could hear Winter and Mother-in-law.
-You crazy girl, barging in like this—what's this about studying abroad!
Hmm. Mother-in-law's shouting was impressive.
Winter's study abroad was decided easily. No real deliberation needed.
-I'm worried. How can I send you two off alone? I'll go too.
Once they understood why Winter wanted to go, her family bulldozed through the discussion, deciding not just for Winter but for Mother-in-law's trip to Europe too. Father-in-law suddenly became a goose dad.
-Aigoo, Son-in-law. Take good care of Winter and Miyeon!
For some reason, he looked cheerful. Even though the study abroad wasn't confirmed yet, we were treating it like a done deal. Well, considering my soccer skills, it was natural.
'Dortmund and Swansea.' I recalled the two clubs the president mentioned. Honestly, I leaned toward Dortmund over Swansea. The club's prestige aside, the dark side always had more edge than the righteous path.
Scouts from Dortmund and Swansea City were coming to the four-nation U-19 friendly in Vietnam this July. I hoped other players caught their eye and went overseas too.
"But Jinho, you're all excited, what if you don't get called up to the U-19 team?"
I snorted at Winter's words.
"I'm Son Jinho."
I had no worries about missing the U-19 call-up. And for good reason.
After the last call-up, Coach Han Gwang-jong had been hounding me to prepare for 'I'm a Striker' for a while.
Come to think of it, I'd been blocking out his constant mental pep talks. Hmm. A grown adult wouldn't sulk over that and leave me off the call-up list, right?