Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Summer Transfer Market -4
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I moved quickly to sign Cafu.
Cafu had already confirmed his retirement back in May.
To get him into match-ready shape, I needed to bring him on board as soon as possible to give him time.
Union Berlin and I approached Cafu’s agent right away.
“It’s an honor to meet the manager who’s been making waves in Europe lately.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
When I expressed our desire to sign Cafu, his agent gave an awkward smile.
It was a signal that turning his client’s mind away from retirement wouldn’t be easy.
But I dove into serious negotiations to bring Cafu on board.
“Two years.”
“......?”
“I’ll make sure you can play at least two more years.”
Cafu had announced his retirement due to physical limits, not a loss of passion.
In reality, his current condition wasn’t objectively great.
At 38 years old, it was fair to say he was past his prime as a footballer.
Promising two years in that state was no different from throwing money into the wind.
Just seeing the agent’s excitement at the unexpectedly generous contract length told me as much.
“But I can’t guarantee playing time.”
“We understand. Player selection is the manager’s call.”
Unfortunately, Cafu’s skills had declined too much for him to start regularly right now.
What Union Berlin wanted from him wasn’t flashy play, but a defender who could steady the team’s core.
Cafu was known to have no issues with his character either.
Unlike the typical Brazilian player stereotype, he was incredibly diligent.
‘And sharing his Champions League experience will be huge.’
But even with this serious offer, swaying Cafu—who had already declared retirement—was tough.
He was mostly worried whether his current level could even help the club.
“Mr. Cafu, I’ve had a dream since I was a kid: lifting the Champions League trophy. People might laugh. They might say a poor club and an Asian manager are getting ahead of themselves. But I don’t want to give up on that dream just because we’re poor or because I’m Asian. To keep chasing it, we need your experience. Please help us.”
But my persistent persuasion finally turned Cafu’s heart.
“......I’m 38. You’re okay bringing in someone my age?”
I smiled at his question and quoted Fabio Capello’s response.
“You just need to play twelve games or more in a season. Let’s lift the Meisterschale together.”
That day, I successfully finalized Cafu’s signing.
[Cafu publicly apologizes to AC Milan club and fans for reversing his retirement.]
[AC Milan supporters to Cafu... ‘We’ll cheer for you.’]
And at the same time, I sealed the deal for Thiago Silva too.
I’d managed to sway Thiago Silva, who had been leaning toward AC Milan.
Since AC Milan had half-given up on signing him, there was no backlash.
Union Berlin had spent an astronomical sum this transfer window.
Still, it wasn’t enough to make the club wobble.
***
[Union Berlin signs ‘legend’ Cafu.]
└ ?
└ ?
└ ?
└ ?
└ What the hell? For real?
└ Holy shit, Union Berlin really made it to the top flight.
└ Lol fr, I was like ‘yeah, as expected’ with all their no-name prospects, but Cafu? My heart’s pounding now.
└ Lmao shit, buying a Union Berlin Cafu jersey this season.
└ Fr lol, Cafu? No way I’m passing on this.
***
This summer transfer window saw us bring in four defenders, saturating the backline, which prompted some Union Berlin players to request transfers.
[Marek Janikowski requests transfer from club.]
[Florian Leiber heading to a lower league?]
They’d given up on the fierce starting spot battle.
The moment I heard about their requests, I sat down with each player for a talk.
“So, where do you want to go?”
“Somewhere I can play a lot.”
They’d been acting like they’d committed a crime, but their faces relaxed as we talked.
Requesting a transfer wasn’t their fault.
It was natural for spots to tighten when new players arrived.
‘It’s partly because I brought in so many new faces to begin with.’
But as Union Berlin’s manager, I had to seize opportunities when they came.
It wasn’t anyone’s fault—just the situation.
Anyway.
I accommodated most of their demands and put them on the release list.
The second those Union Berlin players hit the market, lower-league clubs came swarming.
My reputation was entirely to thank for that.
‘My name carries absolute weight in the lower leagues.’
Down there, Union Berlin alum = solid footballer was already the formula.
Lower-league sides competed to snag Made in Union Berlin talent.
‘At least my rep hasn’t spread to other countries or the top flight yet. Lucky.’
If it had, Dante’s signing would’ve fallen through.
‘Thiago Silva and Modrić were expensive names, so it’s different.’
Even in the Bundesliga, question marks hung over my eye for talent. Top-flight players weren’t the same as second-division ones.
‘Same old talk I always hear.’
One thing was clear: if Union Berlin performed this season, signings would get brutal going forward.
‘Then I’ll have to fire off smokescreens with indiscriminate bids.’
Anyway.
Union Berlin wrapped up the transfers swiftly.
We could’ve dragged negotiations to inflate values, but we chose to forgo the petty gains.
It was our way of repaying their dedication.
***
[Marek Janikowski transfers to Cologne.]
[Florian Leiber joins Mainz.]
[Union Berlin quality holds up? St. Pauli, VfL Osnabrück give positive reviews on ex-Union Berlin players.]
[Union Berlin manager Park Chan-hyuk thanks departing players. “I’m grateful for your dedication. Even on another team, I hope you shine.”]
***
The new Union Berlin signings arrived, and ahead of full preseason, we ran light sessions to check fitness.
Our tactic this season: three at the back.
Specifically, a 3-5-2 with Lewandowski and Yannick Peitz up top as the duo.
Supporting them: Son Heung-min, Luka Modrić, Thomas Meyer, Shinji Kagawa, and Marcus Mättig.
The three-back core this season—Dante, Cafu, Thiago Silva—formed the so-called Brazilian Connection.
True to their roots, they boasted superb technique and vicious kicking power.
Their piercing long passes from deep would be Union Berlin’s key attacking route, no doubt.
‘Dante, Silva, and Cafu all excel at long balls.’
And all three were masters of self-care.
Cafu played for AC Milan until 38, Thiago Silva at Chelsea until 39, and Dante past 41 at Nice in Ligue 1.
Thiago Silva and Dante showed fierce club loyalty too.
‘We’ve got Van Dijk in the youth team as well.’
The back door was secure for at least 15 years.
Plus, they had solid reps for personality.
‘Dante impressed me the most, personally.’
Despite the competition, he was thrilled about Thiago Silva and Cafu joining.
Dante had a soft side deep down and was genuinely happy to see more Brazilians on the team.
I wasn’t worried about factions forming.
Thiago Silva, Dante, and Cafu weren’t the locker-room politics type.
In fact, Cafu—despite his stellar career—showed respect to team captain Yannick Peitz.
‘Definitely nailed these signings.’
Right now, not a single Union Berlin player had Champions League knockout experience.
Most had risen from the lower leagues with us, and we’d focused on prospects.
Cafu’s arrival was a massive security blanket.
If he fatigued, youth team Van Dijk would step up.
I nodded in satisfaction at the bolstered defense.
Union Berlin had completed its wall of tears—the Berlin Barrier.
A few days later.
Union Berlin headed to Japan for preseason.