Chapter 90
Chapter 90
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Summer Transfer Market -2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After wrapping up negotiations with the Japan Football Association, I began transfer talks with the players.
In reality, transfer negotiations are the club's responsibility, not the manager's, but I could at least sketch out the rough framework.
‘This great one is practically the club.’
Anyway, my input carries heavy weight when it comes to signing players.
Anyway.
The Japan FA had expressed regret over the lack of a striker position, but Union Berlin's striker spots were firmly held down by Lewandowski and Yannick Foight.
Yannick could also play on the right wing, which meant the only opening left was on the left wing.
As harsh as it might sound, pitting a Korean against a Japanese player for the same position would be a burden not just for me, but for the Japan FA as well.
This was a different issue from stoking rivalry between the two nations through jersey sales.
“Well… if that’s the case, nothing we can do.”
The Japan FA readily agreed with my stance.
Anyway.
In Hasebe Makoto's case, talks were already underway with Wolfsburg.
Regrettably, he decided to head to Wolfsburg instead of Union Berlin.
[Hasebe Makoto transfers to Wolfsburg. "Grateful for Union Berlin's offer, but couldn't betray the trust after talks were already progressing with Wolfsburg."]
[Union Berlin manager Park Chan-hyuk: "Good player. He'll adapt well to the Bundesliga."]
In contrast, Kagawa Shinji's transfer negotiations went smoothly.
That was because Kagawa Shinji was now the rising star making waves in Japan's second division.
Kagawa's club cooperated actively as well.
With only the player's own intentions left to settle, it was his club, Cerezo Osaka, that convinced Kagawa.
"Your success in the Bundesliga will be a source of pride for our team and our fans. Please become our pride and return to us someday. We'll wait until then."
Hearing those words from the Cerezo Osaka chairman, Kagawa decided to make the move that very day.
Nagatomo Yuto's case was a bit special. He belonged to FC Tokyo, but he was still a 'specially designated player.'
Negotiating for Nagatomo Yuto proved even easier than for Kagawa. FC Tokyo let their specially designated player go without a fuss.
[2008 Beijing Olympics squad member Nagatomo Yuto shares thoughts on Union Berlin transfer. "I'll return as the world's best defender and don the FC Tokyo shirt again someday."]
With Nagatomo Yuto's signing complete, my business in Japan was nearly wrapped up, and I boarded a flight back to Union Berlin.
"Manager, what exactly will we be doing?"
For reference, two Japanese staffers from the football association had come along to learn Union Berlin's soccer system.
I looked at the two, now official Union Berlin employees, and answered with a smile.
Well, they wouldn't have all that much to do.
"Just handle interpreting for the Japanese players, player management, club administrative tasks, and translating the Union Berlin homepage into Japanese."
The Japanese staffers' faces began to drain of color, but there was no helping it.
Multitasking was a Union Berlin tradition, after all.
And with the plane already boarded, it was too late to turn back.
‘Just in case, maybe confiscate their passports when we land in Berlin.’
Anyway.
I returned to Germany once more.
“I’ll be back.”
To wrap up the transfers that were still pending.
‘Well… preseason Asia tour means I’ll have to head back to Japan anyway.’
***
[Union Berlin backup midfielder Kai Heiden transfers to St. Pauli…]
[Paul Zimmer transfers to VfL Osnabrück, promoted to 2nd division.]
While I was flying back from Japan to Germany, some Union Berlin players made their moves.
It's only natural for soccer players to leave in search of more playing time.
Union Berlin made time for the departing players to bid farewell to the fans.
There was no reason to part on bad terms, especially after their full commitment last season.
If the players didn't want it, the event wouldn't happen.
Fortunately, the players shared a final goodbye with Union Berlin fans.
"Kai and Paul. Thanks for all your hard work. We appreciate your dedication."
Amid the resounding applause from Union Berlin fans, I approached the two and offered words of encouragement.
“……Boss, why are you suddenly getting all serious?”
"It's our last time, so I figured I should.”
"What do you mean last? We'll come back to Union Berlin when we retire."
And so, Kai Heiden and Paul Zimmer left for other teams in pursuit of playing time.
The two fetched a pretty penny—courtesy of the so-called 'Park Chan-hyuk premium.'
Well… they were rotation players heading to lower leagues, so it wasn't an insane amount.
‘……Still, together they brought in about as much as Dante's transfer fee.’
***
[Union Berlin's summer transfer window continues.]
[Tottenham Hotspur issues £20 million (₩40 billion) final offer to GNK Dinamo Zagreb.]
[Croatian Ivan Petrović contacts hot commodity Luka Modrić. "Union Berlin is young and changing fast. We can make history here."]
***
The chaotic summer transfer market raged on.
[Bayern Munich sacks Thomas Tuchel… "Uphold the club's traditions."]
[Jürgen Klopp steps down as Mainz manager. Tearful farewell ceremony… "Danke Kloppo!"]
Thomas Tuchel was sacked, and Jürgen Klopp resigned from Mainz. Opinions on Klopp pegged him mostly as a young, promising manager.
[Real Madrid and Chelsea show interest in Thomas Tuchel.]
Big clubs like Chelsea and Real Madrid approached the sacked Tuchel.
Even though he slipped up against Manchester United in the Champions League semifinals, he was the manager who took Bayern to the semis in their first go.
If not for Oliver Kahn's fatal error right at the end, Bayern Munich might have reached the final.
Had they made the final, Tuchel's Bayern could have achieved the club's first treble.
[Bayern Munich double… And still sack the manager?]
[Board and manager conflict was severe, insider leak reveals.]
[Anonymous staffer: "If not for internal strife, Bayern Munich would have won the treble."]
With the league title, Pokal win, and Champions League semifinal run.
Tuchel's abilities were proven, and despite minor 'personality flaws,' clubs salivating over his talent were a dime a dozen.
Amid the flood of offers from big clubs, I got a call from Thomas Tuchel.
I recommended Manchester City manager position, as I'd planned.
[Manchester City becomes Middle Eastern prince's toy.]
There were concerns that Manchester City was being run like a plaything by Middle Eastern royalty.
But I, from the future, knew how serious Mansour was about soccer.
Big investments, no meddling, and plenty of patience. Perfect match for Tuchel.
‘……Maybe flip and recommend Real Madrid instead.’
It felt like creating my own roadblock, but given our friendship, I gave him sincere advice.
[Thomas Tuchel chooses Manchester City?]
Taking my words to heart, Tuchel began talks with Manchester City.
[Thomas Tuchel appointed Manchester City manager.]
The day the article broke about Tuchel becoming Manchester City manager.
‘Got one out of the Bundesliga for now.’
I smirked like some shadowy mastermind.
Champions League wins be damned—for now, cracking the top three in the league was key to qualifying.
[Fallen giants Dortmund appoint Jürgen Klopp as manager.]
Meanwhile, fallen powerhouse Dortmund named Jürgen Klopp as manager.
‘……This one's following original history.’
New Dortmund boss Jürgen Klopp decided to bring his protégé along.
When I heard Dortmund were after Neven Subotić, I went full shit-stir mode.
[Union Berlin's Park Chan-hyuk joins race for Neven Subotić… "He's a good player. Plenty of room to grow under me."]
That very evening, after the article dropped.
My phone rang—Jürgen Klopp.
- You really doing this?
I could hear the anger simmering in Jürgen Klopp's voice, so I fired off a video call and grinned as I replied.
“Welcome to the Bundesliga.”
A beautiful provocation from a Bundesliga junior to a senior.
***
Even though I stirred the pot, Neven Subotić ended up at Dortmund.
Not just the player, but Mainz considered Klopp's relationship and agreed to send him for a similar fee.
[Dortmund signs Neven Subotić.]
Dortmund paid a bit more because of me, but history wouldn't shift much.
And three days later.
I heard Bayern Munich had appointed their new manager.
[Bayern Munich appoints Jürgen Klinsmann as manager… "Tactics have reached their peak. Training methods will decide results from here on."]
[Bayern Munich manager Jürgen Klinsmann hires four physical coaches.]
Whether it was history's resilience or restorative power, one thing was certain.
‘……Is the Munich board full of idiots?’