Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Park Chan-hyuk, Acting Manager - 4
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***
Yannik Feit's shot ripped into the net, and a hush fell over MSV Neuruppin's home ground, Volksparkstadion.
Even the Union Berlin side fell silent for a moment at the unexpected early goal.
“…J, Jaaaaaaaaaa!”
“Yannik Feit!”
But soon, the Union Berlin fans snapped out of it and erupted in cheers.
Yannik Feit, who had scored the opener, charged toward the away fans, roaring triumphantly, and the stadium atmosphere ignited in an instant.
‘What… what just happened?’
Separate from the heating crowd, Wolfgang Sidka, the MSV Neuruppin manager who had been lounging confidently on the bench, couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
He was so flustered that he didn’t even notice Park Chan-hyuk’s card taunt.
Union Berlin’s counterattack, executed seamlessly with the ball interception, was too precise and lethal to believe it had come from a rookie manager.
‘…Does a monster always have another monster beside him?’
Wolfgang’s gaze drifted unconsciously toward the Union Berlin bench after they blindsided him with that unanticipated counter.
He was curious what kind of face Park Chan-hyuk was making.
‘…Probably smirking down at me.’
But contrary to his expectation, Park Chan-hyuk was staring intently at the pitch with a serious expression.
‘At least he’s got basic manners.’
Just as the MSV Neuruppin manager started to breathe a sigh of relief.
“You just activated my trap card.”
Park Chan-hyuk, locking eyes with him, pulled a card from his pocket and flashed a rotten grin as he provoked him.
‘You… my trap?’
The stadium noise drowned out Park Chan-hyuk’s words, so he couldn’t make them out clearly, but it was enough to recognize it as a taunt directed at him.
Wolfgang’s face flushed with rage, and the MSV Neuruppin fans who witnessed Park Chan-hyuk’s provocation showered him with boos.
‘That, that, that insolent bastard!’
If the referee hadn’t pulled out a warning card, Wolfgang might have forgotten all dignity and thrown down with the 40-years-younger punk. He was that furious.
“No, why is this a yellow card?”
“…Put your hand on your heart and think about it.”
For a moment, the brazen look of injustice nearly made him lose his temper again.
But as he barely held back his anger, what caught Wolfgang’s eye was Park Chan-hyuk juggling a card in his hand, lost in thought.
‘…He’s a madman, no matter how you look at it.’
***
Around the time Wolfgang Sidka was starting to fear this unknown entity named Park Chan-hyuk.
Kim Sun-myung, who had gone from Union Berlin fan to volunteer to intern, was filming the Union Berlin vs. MSV Neuruppin match with a camera in hand.
The footage would be used for post-match feedback and edited into highlight reels for Korean Union Berlin fans to post on the homepage.
‘Why am I the one filming this?’
Kim Sun-myung couldn’t wrap his head around why he was shooting video, but unfortunately, he couldn’t voice any complaints.
It was an order from his direct superior, the one and only optimized talent, Park Chan-hyuk.
For the record, Park Chan-hyuk had given the order for no particular reason.
“Sun-myung, your major’s computer engineering, right?”
“Yes? Yeah, it is.”
“Then you must know how to handle a camera.”
“W-well, not really…”
“Comp sci folks know their electronics, don’t they?”
“…”
It stemmed from the stereotype that computer engineering students were gadget otakus.
“Then, make sure to film the next matches well.”
While Kim Sun-myung was momentarily speechless, Park Chan-hyuk smoothly dumped the task on him.
And later, when Kim Sun-myung brought it up, all he got back was, “Ahem, there’s no such thing as a Good Company in Germany. Wherever Koreans work is a Good Company.”
Anyway, having received this new assignment from Park Chan-hyuk, Kim Sun-myung’s days grew busy.
To film, he had to coordinate with MSV Neuruppin in advance.
Filming for internal feedback wasn’t a big issue.
But uploading highlights to the homepage could cause problems with the opposing club.
It nearly fell through because of Park Chan-hyuk’s sudden provocation.
But thanks to MSV Neuruppin’s consideration, they secured cooperation for the shoot.
And finally, today.
Fueled by his efforts, Kim Sun-myung’s artistic spirit blazed as he held the camera.
He captured Park Chan-hyuk’s taunt crystal clear on video.
‘I should edit this and post it to the community.’
At that moment, Kim Sun-myung had no idea the meme he created would circulate for over a decade.
***
Sure, I got a card for provoking the opponent, but it was a minor issue. I didn’t sweat it.
Unlike players who have to run on the pitch, coaches don’t need to worry about card laundry.
Managers get suspensions for accumulated cards like players, but far fewer since they don’t clash physically.
A calm, rational manager wouldn’t face discipline with proper handling.
‘Like me.’
A vague memory surfaced of unleashing a ‘perfect ten’ on absurd Korean league ref calls in my past life.
But that was youthful folly. With over 60 years across two lives, I’d recently attained imperturbability.
“You fucking idiot! Pass straight!”
Anyway.
Even in just a week.
It was enough to stamp my color on Union Berlin.
Their tactics were a clever blend of Tuchel’s philosophy and mine.
Thomas Tuchel favored aggressive play through intense high pressing.
I believed in doing whatever it took—fouls, beatings—to win.
In my past life coaching in Korea, I went all-out attack over parking the bus because it maximized win chances.
It reflected the league’s emphasis on goal difference through high scoring.
That’s why I adapted Leicester City’s 15/16 counterattack tactics to Union Berlin’s situation.
Of course, with short prep time, a defensive opponent would’ve spelled trouble.
But they underestimated me and came out aggressive, making it easy.
‘They park the bus? Just provoke them into attacking.’
Yeah… the taunt helped draw them out.
Unlike my pre-game nerves from returning to management, taking the lead calmed me down.
They’d dismissed me as washed-up, but I’d felt subconscious pressure knowing the opponent manager had promoted a 2nd division side to the Bundesliga in his prime.
‘We’re winning, so he is washed-up, right?’
Shaking off the pressure, I actively directed players from the touchline.
“Argh! How do you miss that?!”
Moments later, I groaned at Yannik Feit’s shot, squandering a one-on-one with the keeper.
“You miss them too, Coach!”
“You’re a player, I’m the assistant coach! You punk!”
Yannik Feit fired back instantly, but I shut him down with invincible logic.
And soon after.
Yannik Feit nodded a perfect redirection on a cross from the flank, scoring.
I smirked at the demoralized opponents.
‘Time to turn up the aggression.’
***
Union Berlin’s veteran striker Daniel Teixeira.
Fans called him Texas.
He first joined Union Berlin on loan in 2001 and led them to their first-ever Pokal title.
Fate didn’t allow a permanent move, though.
[Texas Returns: ‘Time to Repay the Love from the Fans.’]
Cherishing fond memories of the club from his loan spell, he returned when Union Berlin was in crisis to save the team.
That’s how much he loved the club, yet he initially resisted the 30-year-old manager and 18-year-old assistant coach appointment.
He believed they needed a charismatic, experienced figure to rally the team instantly.
But Thomas Tuchel and Park Chan-hyuk proved themselves with results.
Daniel acknowledged their abilities and followed without complaint.
With the senior-most Teixeira complying silently, control fell into place naturally.
“Daniel, calm down. Tuchel didn’t mean it that way.”
“Phew. Chan-hyuk, you’re always putting up with so much.”
Tuchel’s odd phrasing had grated on him multiple times, but seeing the young assistant desperately calming him helped quell the anger.
At 38.
Entering the twilight of his playing career, Teixeira was deepening his soccer understanding through these two geniuses.
Before returning to Union Berlin, he’d had no grand ambitions.
He couldn’t stand watching the team that warmly welcomed him on loan crumble, so he came back.
But grinding under Tuchel and Park Chan-hyuk sparked desire in his old bones.
‘I want to stick with these guys as long as possible.’
They were the best manager and assistant he’d seen.
‘Uh. Minus that punk Tuchel.’
Recalling Park Chan-hyuk desperately holding him back from snapping at Tuchel’s comments, Daniel Teixeira smiled.
He calmly swung his right foot at the ball flying his way.
The instep strike buried into MSV Neuruppin’s net.
‘Texas! Texas!’
Union Berlin fans chanted his name, just like four years ago.
“Texas! Texas!”
“Vamos lá─!”
Daniel Teixeira charged toward the crowd roaring his name and let out a triumphant roar.