Chapter 116
Chapter 116
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Park Chan-hyuk and Rival
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I began intensive closed-door training in earnest ahead of the match against Dortmund.
The man currently leading Dortmund was Jürgen Klopp, known as my fated rival.
‘This must be their latest tactic…?’
In Union Berlin’s manager’s office, I analyzed Dortmund’s recent tactics.
‘Sure enough, unlike the original history, their gegenpressing has evolved a lot.’
I could see they had addressed the weakness of the early gegenpressing that burned through players.
Klopp had refined his gegenpressing based on the tactics I had used.
‘……Not bad.’
Tactics were advancing much faster since my regression, but I didn’t feel any fear or negative emotions.
Instead, a sense of anticipation took root in one corner of my heart as I watched the developing tactics.
The evolution of soccer tactics was more than enough to add tension to my previously lax mindset since regressing.
‘This is how it should be to make it fun.’
In truth, being a soccer manager was a job that was hard to stick with unless you were utterly obsessed with the sport.
The moment you slacked even a little on self-improvement, you became yesterday’s news in an instant.
On top of that, the immense responsibility and workload unique to managers often led to burnout.
Yet the reason managers couldn’t give up the job was simple.
Once you fell into soccer—or sports in general—it was hard to escape. Sports are often all or nothing. It’s victory or nothing.
And in this world of wins and losses, managers unknowingly became addicted to the dopamine rush of each match’s outcome.
That was why even those who retired often returned to management after just a few years.
Anyway.
[Union Berlin’s Park Chan-hyuk vs. Dortmund’s Jürgen Klopp.]
[Two young managers set to revolutionize the Bundesliga?]
The media was currently framing Jürgen Klopp and me as rivals.
Klopp was among the youngest managers in the Bundesliga, after all.
‘Klopp’s 41 now, turning 42 soon.’
I was 21 by the calendar, turning 22 soon.
That made me exactly 20 years younger than Jürgen Klopp, the so-called “young manager” of the Bundesliga.
Right now, I had a significant advantage over Klopp.
A younger age was better for learning new things, even if just by a year.
‘If you can make up for the inexperience typical of youth and control the locker room, being a young manager has its perks.’
There was no helping it.
As you aged compared to your youth, it was only natural for your mind to turn slower.
***
Ahead of the Dortmund match, Park Chan-hyuk held an interview with the press.
With Union Berlin charging at the top of the Bundesliga, a huge crowd of reporters filled the press conference room.
- The next match is against Dortmund, currently seventh in the league.
“Playing Dortmund is always tough. They have players like Mats Hummels, Roman Weidenfeller, Marcel Schmelzer, Mohamed Zidan, Sebastian Kehl, and more—tons of great talent. And Jürgen Klopp is one of the world’s top managers to me. Facing him always gets my blood pumping.”
Park Chan-hyuk handled the interview with ease amid the countless flashing cameras and attention.
‘He’s only 21, but he doesn’t seem nervous at all in front of this many people. Impressive.’
‘What was I doing at 21…? Probably just drinking and partying.’
‘There’s a reason people succeed young.’
The reporters marveled at Park Chan-hyuk’s unflappable composure.
‘Facial expression control. Facial expression control.’
Meanwhile, Park Chan-hyuk, who was born an attention hog, desperately fought to keep the corners of his mouth from turning up under the barrage of stares.
[Union Berlin Manager Park Chan-hyuk Ahead of Dortmund Clash… “Dortmund now has a great manager in place. I believe they’ll overcome their slump soon.”]
In any case.
Park Chan-hyuk lightly praised Dortmund, his next opponents.
Many reporters took it as lip service, but he meant it.
Some of Dortmund’s players had potential that didn’t fall short of Union Berlin’s squad at all.
[Park Chan-hyuk Offers Advice to Dortmund and Now Bayern Munich: “Bayern Munich Needs Reform from the Roots, Not Just a Manager Change.”]
And then he followed up with kind words for Bayern Munich.
He hoped Jürgen Klinsmann would hold the reins at Bayern Munich for as long as possible.
‘Please, get fired after we meet them in the second half…’
Having finished the interview, Park Chan-hyuk clasped his hands and prayed fervently.
It was a wish shared by every Bundesliga fan except those of Bayern Munich.
***
Time flew by.
The day of the Union Berlin vs. Dortmund match arrived.
“Please take care of the match today.”
“You too.”
Jürgen Klopp and Park Chan-hyuk shook hands with smiles.
Even without the media, they recognized each other as rivals.
They had clashed last season, acknowledged each other’s skills, and formed a positive rivalry where each influenced the other beneficially.
“I ask you all! Do you crave victory?!”
“Jaaaaaaaa!”
Park Chan-hyuk instilled confidence in his players that they could win.
He had no inkling of defeat in this match.
“FC Union, du sollst leuchten wie der hellste Heiligenschein!
(FC Union, you shall shine like the brightest halo!)”
Today’s match was at Union Berlin’s home ground, after all.
With the Union Berlin home fans’ chants echoing,
Union Berlin and Dortmund’s players entered the pitch.
Moments later, the referee’s whistle blew.
Union Berlin and Dortmund ramped up the tempo insanely from kickoff.
The crowd’s roars grew louder at the relentless pace that left no room to catch your breath.
“Luca!”
Luca Modrić grabbed the ball and dribbled forward to shake off his marker.
He linked up with Cafu, who was overlapping.
Cafu broke down Dortmund’s right flank and whipped a cross into the penalty box.
Cafu’s cross sliced sharply between the defenders and keeper.
Yannick Poyt rushed toward the razor-sharp cross.
Yannick Poyt flung himself at the ball, extending his leg.
Tap—.
His shot barely connected, shaking Dortmund’s net.
“Yeaaaaaaaaah!”
Union Berlin fans erupted at Yannick Poyt’s early first-half goal.
Yannick Poyt rose leisurely from his seat after scoring and strolled to the corner flag for his celebration.
Spring had arrived for Union Berlin’s attackers.
***
The Union Berlin vs. Dortmund match unfolded far more one-sidedly than expected.
With passionate home support and Yannick Poyt’s early opener, it was the perfect scenario for Union Berlin.
The momentum completely swung to Union Berlin.
No matter who the opponent was—even Jürgen Klopp—Union Berlin was on another level now.
In the first half, the many new signings had left the team a bit short, but now in the second half, they had fully gelled.
Shinji Kagawa intercepted the ball near the penalty box.
Shinji Kagawa passed to Luca Modrić and surged into the box.
As Shinji Kagawa dragged Dortmund’s defenders, shooting space opened up.
Luca Modrić swung his right foot into the gap.
Thwack—.
Luca Modrić’s long-range shot rippled Dortmund’s net.
Union Berlin surged to a two-goal lead in a flash.
I quietly clapped, signaling the players to push even more aggressively.
Celebrations were important, but not more than winning the match.
‘……Still, after putting four in, let one slip in at least.’
***
The first half ended with Union Berlin leading, and in the second half,
Union Berlin added another goal right from the start.
From a corner kick, Roberto Lewandowski buried a brilliant header past Dortmund’s keeper.
“The match isn’t over yet! Don’t give up until the end!”
Jürgen Klopp urged his players from the touchline.
Dortmund, barely regrouping mentally, managed a consolation goal right before full time.
‘Whew… Chan-hyuk, you’ve built an even better team than last season.’
As Jürgen Klopp moved to applaud and encourage his Dortmund players without celebrating,
Something in a black tracksuit darted past him.
“……What?”
Jürgen Klopp stared blankly at his hands poised for clapping, then unwittingly turned toward the corner flag.
“Whoooooooooo—!”
“……What? Did we just concede again?”
Dortmund’s away fans could only gape at the Union Berlin manager roaring in front of them.
“Eisern Union—!!”
Park Chan-hyuk’s celebration tricked a few Union Berlin fans into thinking it was a goal, and their chants filled the stadium.
Union Berlin’s stadium descended into total chaos in an instant.