Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Debut Match
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Debut match.
***
The match between Union Berlin and FC Anker Wismar had begun.
Even though it was an away game, a considerable number of Union Berlin fans had made the trip to Anker Wismar's home stadium to watch.
This was due to the fans' high loyalty amid the club's crisis.
In fact, German clubs were inherently known for their strong fan loyalty, rooted in local communities.
But Union Berlin's was particularly fanatical.
The sudden financial crisis had greatly strengthened the sense of community between the club and its supporters.
In the future, Dortmund fans would bond even tighter with their club during their own financial woes, but Union Berlin had gone through that process a bit earlier.
Anyway.
The away stands were packed with red jerseys swaying like waves.
"Dem Morgengrauen entgegen, ziehn wir gegen den Wind. (Toward the dawn, we'll march against the wind.)"
Union Berlin's chants echoed through the stadium.
"Wir werden alles zerlegen, bis wir Deutscher Meister sind. (We'll tear everything apart until we're German champions.)"
Most fans had decided to wait and see after the chairman's heartfelt persuasion.
Of course, a single speech hadn't convinced everyone.
There were still plenty of fans who couldn't accept a manager in his early thirties and an eighteen-year-old Asian as assistant coach.
'Fine, maybe I can stomach a thirty-something manager. But an eighteen-year-old Asian as assistant coach? Has that chairman got a bullet hole in his brain?'
Meyer, who had come to the stadium, felt the same way.
'Hmph. Still, I don't want the team to lose, so I'll cheer my heart out.'
But once the match kicked off, even they belted out the chants at the top of their lungs, genuinely hoping for a Union Berlin victory.
Union Berlin was the team that held their history—from their fathers, or maybe grandfathers' time.
And shortly after.
As the early probing between Union Berlin and FC Anker Wismar ended and the game turned fiercely competitive.
Meyer couldn't hide his bewilderment.
'...Isn't the only Asian on our team the assistant coach?'
The match was being dominated by the playing assistant coach.
"Yannick! Don't ease up on the pressure!"
***
The league opener between Union Berlin and FC Anker Wismar was being broadcast nationwide, despite being a fourth-division match.
Thanks to Union Berlin recently becoming a hot topic in Germany.
When life gets tough, people naturally seek out romance. With Germany's economy in the doldrums, the nation was enthralled by Union Berlin's romantic story.
In fact, politicians were deliberately promoting it.
No country wants economic hardship fueling a surge in far-right parties.
Germany, having once let a far-right party rise and plunge the world into war, was extremely wary of any far-right gains amid financial crisis.
Anyway, for various reasons, the match was airing across the country.
- Oh.... What a dump this stadium is.
- Can't be helped in the fourth division.
- Guys, for fourth division standards, this place is actually pretty well-maintained.
The facilities were poor compared to the top flight.
The broadcast quality was spotty too.
[Union Berlin versus FC Anker Wismar. Union Berlin kicks off to start the match.]
Yet the raw stadium atmosphere captivated some viewers.
[Oh, and there's the hot-topic manager Thomas Tuchel and assistant coach Park Chan-hyuk caught on camera.]
└ An Asian? No, forget that—aren't they way too young?
└ Apparently, that Asian guy's player, assistant coach, and director all in one.
[That's right. They go way back to Stuttgart. They parted ways when he was appointed youth director at Augsburg, but they've reunited at Union Berlin.]
[Yes. Word is, Tuchel accepted the Union Berlin job on the condition of appointing Park Chan-hyuk as his coach.]
[Their story is pretty dramatic and romantic.]
[Ah, and assistant coach Park Chan-hyuk is wearing a player kit this match. Remarkably, Union Berlin's assistant coach is starting as a field player.]
[A playing assistant coach—now that's a rare sight.]
[Haha, first time I've seen it in all my broadcasting days. And right as I say that! David's shot! Union Berlin creates a dangerous chance right from kickoff!]
[Park Chan-hyuk cheers the shooter. We worried he'd be dismissed for his youth, but he seems well-respected by the Union Berlin players.]
***
"Nice shot!"
The shot had missed, but I clapped and gave a thumbs-up.
Such small gestures could boost team morale.
David, who'd taken the shot, grinned back and returned the thumbs-up.
Of course, it wasn't like the Union Berlin players had accepted me as assistant coach from day one.
It had taken quite some time for them to acknowledge me.
If I'd had the official qualifications to serve as assistant coach, I could've asserted authority over the players.
Unfortunately, my DFB C License wasn't enough—even for the amateur fourth division.
So at first, I approached the players very cautiously.
Who would respect an eighteen-year-old Asian without the required DFB B License for the role?
For reference, I was able to serve as assistant coach because we'd applied for a DFB exception.
The rule allowed appointing a C License holder as assistant coach if no B License holder was available, on the condition they enroll in the B course.
We could've just contracted me as a regular coach and used me as assistant, but to their credit, the club pushed for the proper assistant coach contract.
The DFB knew Union Berlin's situation, and my appointment sailed through faster than expected.
Anyway, separate from the appointment being fine.
The players truly started respecting me as assistant coach because....
- You all might have complaints, but Chan-hyuk here is a coach with talent even I, the manager, recognize.
It was thanks to Thomas Tuchel's endorsement and my 'sincerity' toward the players and club.
-Oppa, what's Union Berlin like?
"A club that'll make it to the Bundesliga someday?"
-One that's destined to skyrocket if we invest?"
"Yeah? But don't even think about investing. It'll take over ten years."
- Still, if 'we' invest, couldn't we make it happen faster?
"...Yeah, probably?"
- Then let's invest.
- And oppa.
"Yeah?"
- Next time something tough happens, don't drown it in booze—tell me. I'll fix it.
My sister's grace turned out more powerful than I'd imagined.
After Dirk Zingler the chairman, she became the club's biggest investor.
My authority as assistant coach naturally followed.
Maybe all human relationship issues boil down to a lack of money.
"You've got money, huh? Any chance of more transfer funds?"
Thomas Tuchel treated me the same as always, of course.
He had the mindset that if the board acted like asses, he'd quit as manager and walk.
We had to handle Tuchel carefully to keep him from exploding.
That's why I stepped in as his personal mental therapist.
Anyway.
'Ah, I see. Your level.'
Having gauged the opponents in the early probing phase.
'This is boring me to death.'
I signaled the players.
And we launched intense pressure from the front.
Union Berlin's advantage in the fourth division was our generous 21-man roster (including assistant coach).
Thomas Tuchel and I had prepared a high-stamina pressing game.
While he handled tactics.
I ramped up fitness with brutal training sessions.
I'd planned those sessions myself as assistant coach, letting me use future knowledge freely.
The downside? They were hellishly tough.... But stamina rose fast.
'Assistant coach, I think we can stop this training now.'
'Why? Can't you see yourself improving?'
Come to think of it, that's when people started respecting me as assistant coach.
'Was it my imagination?'
Anyway.
The opponents were thrown by Union Berlin's suddenly fierce pressing.
"Run!"
Yannick Feith, whose one-star stamina stat was now fully realized, stole the ball cleanly.
We countered instantly.
Yannick passed to the winger on the flank.
David received on the wing and whipped in a cross. I threw myself at it without hesitation.
Splash—!
"Jaaaaaaaaaaa—!"
The ball rippled the net.
We'd scored in the fifth minute.
***
[Oh, my goodness! The selfless assistant coach! Park!]
[Park shakes the net! Who could even call this guy an assistant coach?! Union Berlin takes the lead in just five minutes!]
[The away fans go wild as the assistant coach dashes into the stands.]
[Haha. With heroics like that from the assistant coach, the fans' complaints have no choice but to fade away!]
***
Meanwhile, at that moment.
[Title: Update on that viral fourth-division Korean assistant coach.]
(Park Chan-hyuk goal GIF)
Just scored in the opener.
└ ?
└ ?
└ ?
└ ?
└ Isn't he the assistant coach...?
Back in Korea, Union Berlin and Park Chan-hyuk were slowly gaining traction in online communities.