Hiring an Agent
— …Are you discriminating against me right now?
— Nein! Not Chino, Jino! Jino!
A tiny(?) misunderstanding cropped up during the return trip home.
Thankfully, I managed to clear it up before blurting out something like, "Your grandpa was a Nazi party member—he's getting deep-fried in hellfire right now."
That said, I really need to work on my temper. I can't just charge in headfirst every time I get frustrated or pissed off.
Europe has a higher ratio of crazies compared to Korea, and I'm not living alone in Germany anymore.
For the sake of my family's safety, I need to exercise some restraint.
…Once I make bank later, I'll hire bodyguards and go wild.
Can't play my way at Dortmund? That's gonna eat away at my lifespan.
Anyway, a month passed—short if you call it short, long if you call it long—and I finally made it back home.
Not to Korea, but to my home in Germany, which felt a bit weird.
Well… wherever Gyeowol is, that's my home.
"Son Jinho, you back!? Where's my gift?"
I silently hugged Han Gyeowol, who stood there with hands on her hips and a weird look on her face.
"Right here. Your gift."
Truth be told, I'd totally forgotten to buy souvenirs. But that was some top-tier improv, right?
I cautiously checked Gyeowol's expression as she nestled in my arms. Her face was flushed red like a persimmon.
"…Tch. What kinda gift is that."
She grumbled from her mouth, but she couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips.
I secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Crisis averted successfully.
That evening, after I thought I'd dodged the bullet, a message came from my father-in-law.
I was thrown off by the sudden message from Father-in-law, but the follow-ups made it clear what had happened.
Here's what went down.
"Mom, has Dad ever given you a gift like this?"
Gyeowol had bragged (straight-up spilled the tea) to Mother-in-law about what I'd said, and Mother-in-law unleashed her wrath on Father-in-law.
I silently apologized to Father-in-law in advance. I'd promised myself to show more affection this life—stuff I couldn't in the last one. Looked like he was in for a roasting from Mother-in-law.
Dortmund gave me some rest after I returned from the AFC U-19 tournament.
Since their goal is developing good players over results, they were extra cautious about injuries for youth players.
Korea was heading that way too, bit by bit.
Even so, the few haters back home (anti-Jinhos) saw the lineup and went off because I wasn't even on the bench, let alone starting.
A few sports media outlets even compiled netizen reactions into articles.
Not all reporters were like that, but it felt like journalistic integrity was fading.
They could've just checked Dortmund's official site to see I'd been given rest. Slapping in "netizens" without fact-checking and firing off articles like that? Made me scoff.
Is it because there are so many online news outlets now? But this was a major media one.
"Why write articles without even checking facts!"
"Media's always like that. It's fine—you know the truth, right?"
I soothed the fuming Gyeowol and started thinking about the need for an agent.
Come to think of it, Coach Gi-hyeon gave me those agent files. Should check 'em out.
No big need for an agent in K-League, but Europe's different.
Not on Mino Raiola's level of chucking chairs during negotiations, but having someone in your corner protecting your interests was essential.
Agents handle not just transfers but all the crap so players can focus on soccer.
Some might call them expensive foreign slaves who take big cuts…
Hm. Maybe that's a bit much?
Anyway, the hunt for an agent began.
"Haha… Sorry. That's beyond my capabilities."
"Hm… That's a bit."
"…Do you really have to include that condition?"
I talked to countless agents, but none met my standards.
'Saying no without even trying?'
Looked like Coach Gi-hyeon had only left me the duds.
"No talent. No talent anywhere."
That's why I had high hopes for this meeting. The guy's a super agent.
"Nice to meet you. Jinho."
See? He pronounced my name perfectly. Agent basics.
Even something small like that feels different when you're on the receiving end.
"Mino Raiola."
"Son Jinho. Nice to meet you."
I shook hands with the super agent Mino Raiola and exchanged light greetings.
Figured the boss himself wouldn't come for a mere prospect, but hey—means he rates me high.
Soccer fans' blood pressure spikes at Mino Raiola's name, but for players, he's the best.
We hit it off quick and started bantering casually.
"So, I always fight for my players' interests…"
I cut off Mino Raiola as he started on player value and threw out my one key condition.
"Mino, I want to transfer to Manchester United later, and at minimum, enough pull to influence their signing policy."
To lift the Big Ear at Man U, I had to block Woodward's shit deals—that was essential.
"…What?"
Mino Raiola stared at me like the other agents had—like I was Coach Gi-hyeon.
Ouch, that stings a bit.
Mino Raiola had high expectations for this meeting.
He'd signed countless sports stars, but he took pride in nurturing talents like Paul Pogba or Erling Haaland.
Like crafting the best players himself.
'Bigger talent than Paul or Erling!'
He recalled the crowd cheering for that Eastern boy in a Dortmund youth match he'd stumbled upon.
Son Jinho had dazzling talent plus the knack for electrifying fans.
"Mino! I think the soccer market's gonna boom, and players aren't getting their fair share yet!"
Over dinner, he realized the kid was surprisingly easy to talk to.
Word from Dortmund insiders: clean personal life, diligent training. Perfect client material. Except for one thing.
"…Hm? Jinho. Sorry, think I misheard—say that again?"
Mino Raiola gave Son Jinho an awkward smile. No prejudice, but Easterners he'd met were polite and humble.
But Son Jinho was different…
"I want to join Man U and have a say in their signing policy."
A little crazy. And by boiling it down politely, he seemed even crazier.
'Oh, Dio. Influence signings against that old fart Ferguson?'
Mino was floored. Son Jinho knew Ferguson would retire soon; Mino didn't. Gap in foresight.
'Can I pull this off?' Unsure of the future, Mino closed his eyes. Then pictured the transfer fees and on-pitch glory Son Jinho would bring.
Too sweet to pass up. He grabbed Son Jinho's hand.