Chapter 122
Chapter 122
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: 09/10 Summer Transfer Window -1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
***
Union Berlin's championship parade continued for several days.
It wasn't funded by Union Berlin's money, though. The Berlin Tourism Board had poured funds into it to highlight and promote Berlin's appeal as a gateway to European travel.
‘...They sure know how to get things done.’
In fact, a significant number of Asians headed to Germany—specifically Berlin.
It was only natural that direct flights between Korea and Germany became a regular fixture.
Berlin's citizens might have been annoyed by the noise and crowds.
Still, the backlash wasn't as severe as one might expect.
[Global giant Guten signs industry-academia partnership with Berlin University.]
Who would complain about job creation and rising property values?
Tourists who came to Berlin for the championship parade started their trips on a high note.
The current atmosphere, thanks to Union Berlin's victory, made it impossible to casually spew anti-Asian racism.
Of course, there were cases of people who tested that and got their asses handed to them.
Well... at least they were still breathing.
‘That Chinese guy speaks Korean pretty well, huh?’
Come to think of it, in this era of the 2000s, Korean citizens' awareness didn't seem as high as it was before my regression.
***
[Record-breaking crowds flock to Union Berlin championship parade...]
[Berlin state government deploys full police force to prevent accidents.]
[Berlin residents suffer accumulating damages from influx of tourists.]
[Ugly Koreans spreading across the world.]
[Koreans lacking self-control on trips—why is the shame ours to bear?]
[Pizza place pulls out kimchi to top their pies....]
└ This doesn't sound like a Korean.
└ Who the hell puts kimchi on pizza?
└ ...I do.
└ In Italy, you'd get shot.
└ LMAO for real.
***
Berlin was still basking in the sweet scent of victory.
Unfortunately, as Union Berlin's manager, I couldn't afford to dwell on the past.
Once the festivities ended, people had to return to everyday life.
To ensure Union Berlin kept delivering consistent results, I needed to start preparing for next season ahead of time.
Well, it had taken a little over 21 years and 300 days to finally reach the starting line, but here we were.
‘Feels like it didn't take as long as I thought.’
Anyway.
Winning the Bundesliga had successfully elevated Union Berlin's profile.
And the feat of going from the fourth division to the first with consecutive titles was nearly as hard to achieve as an unbeaten championship.
‘...Unless a top-flight team gets directly relegated all the way to the fourth division, it's damn near impossible.’
Union Berlin had made its name known worldwide with this fairy-tale triumph.
Thanks to that, unlike before, we could now slide transfer offers under the door of somewhat notable players.
‘We could actually say, "Join our romance."’
In any case, the first thing I did to prepare for next season was declare to the players that if any wanted to transfer, they could come to my office anytime.
"If any of you want to transfer, feel free to stop by the manager's office anytime. If the fee's right, I'll let you go."
I needed to sort out the squad before bringing in new signings.
Pushing aside personal sentiments, I steeled myself to release anyone who wanted out.
But a few days later...
"...Why hasn't anyone shown up?"
I ended up sitting alone in my empty office, feeling pretty lonely.
***
"If any of you want to transfer, feel free to stop by the manager's office anytime. If the fee's right, I'll let you go."
After hearing Park Chan-hyuk's statement, the players began seriously contemplating their futures.
The celebratory mood from the championship forced them back to reality.
[Big clubs approaching players from Bundesliga champions Union Berlin...]
Players started discussing their next-season options with their agents.
"Luka! With all the interest right now, a transfer could get you a bigger payday!"
"Sorry, but I don't think it's time yet."
Luka Modrić, who had played a key role at Union Berlin, firmly rejected his agent's transfer push.
Thomas Meyer's defensive presence overshadowed it, but even Modrić had struggled in some matches.
Plus, unlike Union Berlin, he wasn't confident he could adapt immediately to another club.
‘...How should I put it? The boss seems to know exactly what kind of play I want and where I need to improve.’
Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski, entering his third season at Union Berlin after two solid years, seriously considered an offer from Bayern Munich.
Bayern was his dream club, after all.
But Lewandowski ultimately turned down the temptation and decided to stay.
He felt there was still plenty to learn at Union Berlin.
‘Play one more season in the top flight, boost my value, then go.’
He also wondered if Louis van Gaal, Bayern's new manager, truly wanted him.
"Thiago, what about you?"
"I'm staying. You, Dante?"
"Me too."
"Then let's go train."
Thiago Silva and Dante went without saying.
They were players with strong loyalty to the club.
In the original timeline, Thiago Silva only left AC Milan due to their financial woes, going to PSG—but he always expressed nostalgia for Milan.
Dante was so satisfied with life at Union Berlin that he didn't even consider a move.
[Shinji Kagawa on transfer rumors: "I still have room to grow."]
└ This guy's never outright saying no to a transfer.
└ Japanese fans hype up the Premier League like we do.
└ Do they really rate our guys in the Premier League that highly?
└ At least higher than the Bundesliga.
└ Why do Japanese fans love the Premier League so much? Korea makes sense 'cause our players are there.
└ Japanese kids studying abroad in the Great British Empire from a young age or something?
└ This dude's on some British Empire wank—living in the 20th century much?
The rest weren't the type to leave even if told to. Either their performances weren't quite big-club caliber yet, or their loyalty to the team was off the charts.
"Ugh, just read the contract before signing, please!"
"The boss probably took good care of it."
Thomas Meyer and Yannick Foight, who had risen from the lower leagues together, didn't even have agents. They just showed up solo and signed the renewals.
Park Chan-hyuk had to sit them down and patiently explain what had changed from their previous deals.
"Boss, if you ever get fired as manager, wanna be our agent?"
Yannick Foight's casual remark nearly gave Park Chan-hyuk a neck cramp—a utterly routine episode at Union Berlin.
[Union Berlin announces renewals with existing players...]
[Union Berlin's squad holds steady post-Bundesliga title? What's the secret!]
And above all, the main reason players weren't aggressively pursuing transfers was Park Chan-hyuk himself.
Soccer players care about immediate gains, sure, but they also look at a club's vision.
Park Chan-hyuk's ambition to turn Union Berlin into a Bundesliga powerhouse gave players a glimpse of that future.
And this season, by actually lifting the Bundesliga trophy, he proved it wasn't just pie in the sky.
During Union Berlin's championship parade.
When Park Chan-hyuk declared he'd lift the Champions League trophy too, the players couldn't help but feel their hearts race.
And so, as players one by one signed renewals with Union Berlin.
One player visited Park Chan-hyuk's office to terminate his contract.
"Boss—no, Chan-hyuk. I think it's time for me to really retire."
It was none other than Cafu.
***
Cafu had made up his mind to retire, regardless of his remaining contract, around the time Union Berlin sealed the title against Bayern Munich.
He realized his current physical condition wouldn't let him start even 10 games next season.
Cafu decided to broach retirement first.
‘The boss is softer-hearted than he lets on.’
It would be hard for Park Chan-hyuk to bring it up himself.
"We still need your experience in the Champions League..."
Sure enough, Park Chan-hyuk tried to convince him to stay.
"I've watched you—you'll do fine."
But Cafu shook his head firmly, cutting him off.
Under Cafu's gaze, filled with trust, Park Chan-hyuk had no choice but to accept his retirement.
"Still, at least play your final match here at Union Berlin before you go."
Cafu nodded at Park Chan-hyuk's words.
It was only right to give the fans a proper farewell.