Chapter 42
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: 00/01 Season, New Manager Candidates?
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One by one, they all left, leaving me in a situation where I had to build everything from scratch.
With the FA's official takeover approval, Blackburn Rovers has formally declared that it will appoint Lee Dae-hyun of Daeyang Global as the new chairman.
Jack Walker had willed all his remaining shares to me, granting me absolute control with 80% ownership as both club owner and chairman.
Of course, that came with taking on all the associated debts, and negotiations over the stadium ownership with Jack's eldest son, Hyde Walker, followed soon after.
"After selling off the steel business, Father shifted the family's ventures into real estate development and aviation."
"Right, you're talking about Fly-European Airlines."
"To be frank, Ewood Park is a new stadium that Father personally oversaw the renovation of. If we're discussing ownership transfer, we'll need a deal in return."
"What kind of negotiation are we looking at?"
"Your company, Daeyang Global, acquiring a friendly stake in Fly-European Airlines to act as our white knight. Plus, I'd like all of Daeyang's transportation assets directed our way."
"We can do that. But in return, since we're not just in soccer but also trading and construction, we'd appreciate priority in your construction bids."
"If your technical capabilities check out, gladly."
Hyde approached it purely from a business angle, proposing a contract that benefited the foundation and businesses he inherited.
He might not care much about soccer, but he was sharp as a tack when it came to business interests.
And people like him could make excellent partners, depending on how you structured the deal.
"Let's carry on Father's legacy and make this work."
"Couldn't agree more."
We shook hands on it, then I headed into the Daeyang Global office and called the London branch.
"Yes, Vice Chairman. Congratulations on becoming chairman of the soccer club."
"Thanks, Representative Kim. How are the recent construction bids going?"
"The government's pushing a $10 billion overseas construction project, so the Ministry of Land is calling constantly."
The year 2000.
After graduating early from the IMF crisis by repaying debts ahead of schedule, the government was chanting things like 'Prayers for XXX billion in contracts' and 'Prayers for XXXX billion in exports' left and right. Daeyang, like all the other companies, was running ragged chasing overseas deals.
"Hyeonkyung Construction just nabbed a $130 million factory deal for construction equipment in Paris, France. Samshin Engineering got a $300 million port project in Greece. The Chairman tasked you with at least $200 million..."
"Representative Kim, look into construction opportunities for soccer stadiums and airlines."
"Pardon? Airlines and soccer stadiums?"
"Starting this year, Europe will be tearing down and rebuilding or expanding soccer stadiums left and right. And post-EU, transport regulations will loosen, kickstarting the LCC boom. Focus on airports and hangars."
"Understood, Vice Chairman."
I wrapped up the call with Representative Kim from the London branch.
"I should've gone to the Netherlands for Euro 2000..."
"The defending champs Germany drew with Romania."
Section Chief Park shared the match results, but I already knew everything there was to know.
"France will win it. They're at their peak post-World Cup."
With headquarters matters somewhat sorted, talk turned to the next manager for Blackburn Rovers.
John Williams, now in an advisory role, showed me a list of candidates for the next manager. I cross-checked it with Commonwealth managers I knew.
"Mark Hughes took over Wales after retiring. What do you think?"
"His experience is short, and I don't see him excelling."
Names like Mark Hughes, Steve Bruce, Martin O'Neill—the usual 'EPL public property managers'—came up, but none satisfied.
And when I looked for names I recognized, their careers at this point were...
"David Moyes is still in the lower leagues."
"The Preston one? Impressive promotion from third to second division, but unproven at the top flight."
"Graham Souness applied too?"
"Seems he's looking to return to England after middling in Portugal."
In the original history, Blackburn rebuilt well after relegation, earned promotion back to the EPL, and signed solid players like Kerry Moncur, Dwight Yorke, and Brad Friedel to thrive...
"Let's keep them as candidates for now."
"Brian Kidd agreed to stay as assistant, so internal promotion's tricky. He just wants a raise."
"Give it to him, and we'll take our time."
I couldn't ignore them entirely since they were advisors, so I politely added a few to the shortlist and decided to take matters into my own hands.
"Blackburn's offer is deeply appreciated. But I re-signed after winning the Rangers league this season."
Dick Advocaat, the Rangers manager I'd met during a preseason friendly in Scotland ahead of last season.
He'd later have ties to Korea, and at this time, with stints at the Netherlands national team for the '94 World Cup, PSV Eindhoven, and Rangers, he had league titles and Champions League progress under his belt—a solid coach.
I'd considered him after Dalglish's resignation, but he politely declined.
"Hmm, that's a shame. You'd be a huge help to our team."
"I'm staying in the Netherlands right now. I regret it with my Rangers contract still in place."
"You're not... eyeing the next Netherlands job for Euro 2000, are you?"
"Ahahaha."
Bingo.
He was positioning himself for the national team job depending on Frank Rijkaard's results.
Too bad, but it'd be Louis van Gaal, not you.
After the call with Advocaat, Louis van Gaal came to mind.
"At least he hasn't gone senile yet..."
A quick search of Spanish media turned up info on La Liga's big two.
Barcelona fires Van Gaal under new president Joan Gaspart.
Nunez and Louis van Gaal resign together. Who's Barcelona's next manager?
Real Madrid hires new manager Vicente del Bosque.
My gut told me opportunity lay not in the UK, but in Spain and Portugal.
"Time to file a business trip request."
"Vice Chairman, you're here? Let me take your bag."
"No, I'll carry it. This isn't company business."
"Haha, soccer matters then?"
Executive Director Lee Yang-jin at the Daeyang Global Iberian branch was a veteran who'd spent 20 years in Spain and Portugal.
Originally a Spanish Foreign Ministry official who resigned and was specially recruited, he ran the branch single-handedly. Later, he'd succeed Representative Kim as head of the European branch—a true talent.
"I'm not fluent in Spanish, so I appreciate the interpreting help on the way."
"Happy to assist."
With his hearty build and easygoing demeanor, we booked lodging around Madrid and sat in a nearby café to talk.
"Spain and Portugal are soccer-mad, so it works wonders in business deals."
"This area's famous for it."
"Thanks to that, I'm a Valencia fan in Valencia, Sporting or Benfica in Lisbon, and it switches daily in Malaga, Valladolid, Barcelona, and so on."
Executive Director Lee showed me the materials I'd asked him to prepare.
"Remember the Dutch manager who lost 5-0 to us in the '98 World Cup? Guus Hiddink."
"!"
"After resigning from Real Madrid last season, he's looking for a new club to restore his reputation."
Hiddink... Hiddink!!
...But for the good of Korean soccer, I should yield him.
"Can we get in touch with Van Gaal?"
"Local media says he's gone back to the Netherlands."
"For Euro 2000?"
"Yeah, probably gunning for the national team job."
Same situation as Advocaat. What was up with Rijkaard's Dutch team that all these Dutch coaches were circling like sharks?
"Excluding Real, Barca, and Valencia, any good managers out there?"
"Atletico just got relegated, and their manager went to Chelsea."
"Ranieri..."
I could rattle off over 30 soccer managers off the top of my head, but finding a 'top-tier' one available for our team right now was tough.
Some were still players, others low-level coaches or lower-league managers with little experience.
Hours in the café yielded no sharp leads.
"Even if we skip Barcelona's Van Gaal, didn't they have a capable assistant?"
"Jose... no, Jose Mourinho? He just got appointed Benfica manager in Portugal."
"Whew."
The ashtray filled with cigarettes, and with nothing else to do, we reviewed the branch's business status and called it a day over dinner.
Even in the hotel, I needed someone of Ferguson or Wenger caliber for a long-term project.
My instincts pointed to Spain, but maybe I should pivot to Italy? They had Lippi, Ancelotti, Spalletti, Zeman, Mancini—a solid lineup.
I tossed and turned all night, chain-smoking.
The next day.
Exhausted, I sipped a Spanish cortado while waiting for breakfast.
"How was the Spanish lodging?"
Executive Director Lee arrived, ordering his own cortado and churros loaded with sugar.
"Sorry to drag you into my personal errand."
"Vice Chairman, I did some digging at home last night. What about Portugal?"
"?"
"Didn't I mention yesterday that Barcelona's assistant went to Benfica in the Portuguese league?"
"Right."
"With Mourinho taking over at Benfica, the previous manager's shopping for a new team. Speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and English fluently."
"...?"
"Heard it from a sardine cannery owner in Porto who's a Benfica fan—we import/export Daegu and sardines. Benfica's ex-manager even coached Real Madrid."
"What's his name?"
"Jupp... Heynckes? Henkels? Heynckes? German guy."
"...!!!"
How did I miss that name?
Jupp Heynckes.
Perfect—he'd just left Benfica and was on a break. I had to track him down!
"We need to find him."
"I called Benfica and got his contact. He's vacationing in the Spanish Basque Country right now."
"Executive Director, thank you. Truly."
I grabbed his hand tight, expressing my genuine gratitude for going as far as contacting the Portuguese club to pinpoint his location.