Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: vs Stuttgart -1
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***
A few days ago, while visiting Korea for business, Park Jung-ah headed to the hospital where Park Chan-hyuk had been admitted.
It was to resolve his military service issue.
'No, you can just pay some money and get him exempted. Why stress over it...'
Since he had actually been hospitalized, a simple tweak to the diagnosis records would suffice.
'Idiot.'
Military exemptions were one of the easiest things to handle with money.
However, at the hospital, Park Jung-ah received an unexpected response.
"...So he really had ACL surgery?"
"Uh... yes. We informed the patient and got his consent form."
"Why the hell didn't this guy tell his family about the surgery?"
It was only natural for curse words to slip from Park Jung-ah's mouth.
She had carved out time from her busy schedule to come here, only to make a pointless trip.
'...Let's see how long he keeps it secret from the family.'
Park Jung-ah waited for the day Park Chan-hyuk would mention the ACL surgery.
"Hey, Park Jung-ah, would it mess up your business in Korea if I skip the military?"
"You're exempt, oppa."
"Huh?"
But only today did Park Jung-ah realize the truth.
Park Chan-hyuk genuinely had no idea about his own ACL surgery.
***
'No wonder it hurt like hell back then.'
The moment I heard the news from Park Jung-ah, a smile crept across my face.
"Why are you smiling?"
"I don't know. It just came out."
An ACL tear doesn't impact athletic ability as much as one might think.
'The meniscus is actually worse.'
Still, it's a serious injury that requires thorough management and rehab.
'From now on, lower body workouts are non-negotiable.'
For reference, after an ACL tear, you shouldn't do intense stuff like knee slides like I did.
But how many people actually follow the doctor's orders?
Even soccer players who've torn their ACL while playing often can't quit and keep going.
'...Maybe because my body was young, the recovery was exceptional.'
Anyway, looks like knee-slide celebrations end here for me.
'From now on, it's fist pumps for you, everyone.'
Regrettably, "no" celebrations weren't in my dictionary.
***
[ Bundesliga, Winter Transfer Window Opens...]
[Top Clubs Show Interest in Yannick Poyt.]
[Dortmund and Leverkusen Offer Transfers to Yannick Poyt...]
[Yannick Poyt Posts on SNS: "My Heart Is Made of Steel."]
└ Damn lol
└ But do they pay big? Union Berlin players' loyalty is insane.
└ They ship out anyone dissatisfied right away lol
└ Wow, Union Berlin's average age is ridiculously young...
└ Yannick Poyt is basically one of the oldest on the team, says it all.
***
The January winter transfer window had opened, but Union Berlin, stably managing its squad, had no plans for additional signings. So even during the window, things weren't as hectic as expected.
Youth promotions were already lined up, and losing one or two players suddenly wouldn't be a big issue.
I decided to save the transfer budget for next season.
If we promoted to the top flight this season, we'd need a major overhaul.
And promotion would expand our talent pool dramatically.
Players who might scoff at a second-division side would at least take a glance.
'Winter signings are too expensive anyway.'
No real need to buy in winter.
Union Berlin's players still had untapped potential, and they possessed plenty of it.
If they kept developing like this, we'd be even stronger next year.
'Next season, excluding prospects, aim for a 24-man squad?'
The Bundesliga had only 18 teams, fewer than La Liga, Premier League, or Serie A, so the schedule had some breathing room—unless you're in Europe.
'For now, prioritize scouting defenders with solid potential.'
Attack draws crowds; defense wins games.
Stable backline is essential for titles.
'And the rear needs stability for attacks too.'
I thought of Union Berlin's current defenders.
Regrettably, their stats lagged behind other positions.
'Sigh. Maybe teach them my secret weapon, the "Devil's Right Arm."'
It could stop even a tier above, but the downside was earning hatred from rival fans and a villain image.
In the Korean league, it was a small pond where everyone knew someone, so players avoided it. Risk outweighed reward.
'But here it's bigger—maybe someone wants to learn.'
Anyway, ask the defenders after vacation ends.
'Once in the top flight, rebuild the reserves first.'
I prioritized tasks for promotion, with reserves at the top.
Their absence caused more inconvenience than expected.
Union Berlin, true to second-division roots, once had reserves, but Thomas Tuchel disbanded them upon arrival.
'They were in dire finances, couldn't operate properly anyway.'
They'd been vacant ever since.
'Somehow, hiring coaches or managers is harder than signing players...'
Few wanted to coach under a young Easterner in his twenties.
That's why Daniel Teixeira was de facto assistant coach.
He handled things well, and assistants matter more for trust than raw skill.
'An assistant backstabbing is game over.'
They bridge squad and manager; sow discord, and it's chaos. Our family's majority stake meant quick retaliation, but prevention is best.
'Top flight promotion, and applicants will flood in.'
Right now, low prestige turns them off, but promotion changes everything.
***
Time flew, and a week before the DFB-Pokal Round of 16 against Stuttgart, the squad reconvened.
First day: light check on players' conditions.
Long breaks mean some return out of shape.
Obvious, really.
Players are human; resisting temptation is hard.
- Out-of-shape guys relive military boot camp in preseason.
Still, I warned them sternly before winter break.
"...You hate the military that much?"
"Ja!"
Unexpectedly, they loathed it even more than I thought.
Everyone returned in top form.
'Well... military aside, it's the promotion hunger.'
No second-half slump, and they're top-flight players.
'Can't take everyone though...'
Sorry, but necessary.
Culling underperformers is the manager's job.
Still, rotate and carry as many as possible.
'High-potential players without minutes complaints are rare gems.'
Anyway.
Time flew again, and the DFB-Pokal clash with Stuttgart loomed.
***
"Stuttgart, huh..."
We arrived at Stuttgart's home, Gottlieb Daimler Stadium.
I slowly took in the stadium for a while.
Returning here felt fresh.
'Most of the squad's changed.'
In a way, Stuttgart was my "parent club" this life.
Started my career here via the German study program.
Meeting Tuchel here was the biggest luck.
'He left pissed, and they became Nakdong River duck eggs after...'
No regrets.
Honestly, I wouldn't develop a prospect like me either.
"Park. Long time."
"Oh. Doing well?"
Anyway, light greetings with Stuttgart's higher-ups.
That was it.
Closest there was Philipp Lahm, now back at Bayern Munich.
"...Still, out of respect for the parent club, skip celebrations."
"Why take players' celebrations away, manager?"
Daniel Teixeira overheard my mutter and ribbed me, but I let it slide in one ear and out the other.
'No need to dignify that uncool question.'
***