Chapter 43
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Bilbao Summit, World-Class Signing Pledge
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Jupp Heynckes.
A legend of the 1970s German national team and a figure who built even more legendary status as a manager.
Even at this point in his career, he was a name etched in history with two league titles in Germany and Spain, one Champions League triumph, and three Super Cup wins.
But after stepping down from Real Madrid following their Champions League victory, his career had taken a downturn.
He was treated like a washed-up old manager drifting toward his first retirement, only to make a dazzling comeback in the 2010s and add more legends to his name as "Don Jupp."
"We need to go see him right away. Straight from Madrid to Bilbao."
"I'll make the contact first."
The executive stood up and dialed on his mobile phone, then quickly hung up.
"He's staying at a place called La Roca Hotel in Bilbao and had an interview with Athletic Bilbao this afternoon."
"Tell him we're coming right away."
"There are no flights available, so I've arranged train tickets. It'll take about four hours. When I explained the situation, he said he'd be happy to meet in the evening if we can make it."
The executive had prepared meticulously.
It was 10 a.m. now, so we'd arrive, prep for the interview, talk to the club, and that should do it.
"Finish your meal, and let's head to Madrid station."
I grabbed the train tickets the executive had prepared and set off, calling England on the way.
[Jupp Heynckes... That manager from Borussia and Real Madrid?]
"That's right, John."
[Look, Mr. Lee. I appreciate your hands-on approach to getting things done, but do you know there's never been a German manager in the Premier League?]
Come to think of it, that was true.
The English Premier League drew top players from around the world, yet it oddly had almost no German players or coaches.
The first one probably didn't come until the 2010s—maybe Magath or Jürgen Klopp...
"If he's got the skills, what does nationality matter? He's my pick, so I'll take the responsibility."
[Understood. We've also sent scouts to Euro 2000. We'll prepare a signing list tailored to the new manager.]
"Yep."
After finishing the call, I dialed other numbers.
I contacted our Daeyang Global expatriates in Italy, France, and the Netherlands, asking them to check sports papers for released players or free agents.
On the train, I didn't rest for a second—my phone was blowing up, and I jotted down plans for next season in my notebook.
The executive glanced at it from the side and spoke up quietly.
"The name Florentino Pérez has come up as a candidate for Real Madrid president this time."
"Pérez, huh..."
A man who would leave the biggest mark in Real Madrid's history.
"Daeyang missed out on two thermal power plant bids in Spain and South America, right?"
"Embarrassing as it is... yes, we lost them to Pérez's ASC Construction."
Pérez wasn't just a football administrator. He was the chairman of ASC, Spain's top construction firm and a global powerhouse dominating project bids in the Spanish-speaking markets of Central and South America.
Not just us at Daeyang—even giants like Hyeonkyung, Zeus, and Samsin had been repeatedly outmaneuvered by ASC.
"The Spanish press is analyzing Pérez's chances of becoming the next Real president."
"If he took bites out of us in construction, we should return the favor in football..."
I'd declared to the English press that we'd sign world-class players this season, and Spain had plenty of them.
Time to make the construction division shed a tear on the pitch.
Bilbao, Spain.
A city in the Basque Country, home to Athletic Bilbao, famous for its unique blood policy.
"A strange team where only Bilbao-born players or youth academy graduates can play."
"They're the soul of Basque football."
I found La Roca Hotel with the executive, where Heynckes was staying, and met him in the hotel's coffee shop lounge.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Lee Dae-hyun, owner of Blackburn Rovers."
"Jupp Heynckes."
The 55-year-old German manager nodded with a smile and shook my hand.
We sipped coffee and got straight to business.
"How'd things go with Bilbao?"
"I managed Bilbao starting back in '92. After leaving Benfica, I applied when they needed a new boss."
"What contract did they offer?"
"Two years, with an extension for one more if we hit UEFA Cup spots."
"We'll offer five."
"!?"
"Three-year base, plus two more if you win five trophies within three years. Super Cups and above count as trophies."
Heynckes suddenly trembled, his face flushing redder by the second.
They said he earned the nickname "Osram Bulb" because his face lit up like one when excited or angry—and it was true.
"Honestly, I've never even considered England. Even German players avoid challenging there. You're offering this to an old German coach?"
"Yes."
Heynckes scratched his flushed face and let out a long breath.
"I'm looking for a new job, but five years is a heavy commitment. With five trophies, it's essentially three years guaranteed?"
"I think it's very doable. Jupp, right now in England, a Scottish manager named Alex Ferguson and a French one, Arsène Wenger, are in for the long haul. I scouted for someone to build a long-term plan like them, and that's why I'm here."
Heynckes sipped his coffee and spoke quietly.
"My family won't like England's weather or food."
"Blackburn has cool weather and a restaurant run by the world's best Italian chef."
"Will you let me handpick my coaching staff freely?"
"As long as you gel with the current ones."
"I've heard of Blackburn. Kenny Dalglish from Scotland won two cup trophies this season. You'd have me following in his footsteps?"
"Yes."
Heynckes smiled one last time and asked.
"If I said I needed the world's best player right away, could you sign him?"
"Shall I fetch Luís Figo?"
"!?"
Heynckes's face turned even redder, and the executive beside me went wide-eyed.
"V-Vice Chairman, Figo's the world's top player at Barcelona right now."
"To sign him, it'd be about 56 million euros—40 million quid?"
The executive whispered softly.
'Vice Chairman, at current rates, Figo's fee is nearly 100 billion won...'
"I asked Coach Heynckes."
"Mr. Lee... are you serious?"
"If I bring him, can you control him?"
Heynckes burst out laughing.
"Well, I'll be—I've never had a club owner turn the tables and question me."
This must be a first for him.
Heynckes at this time had joined big-name clubs, only to butt heads with power-hungry boards dictating every move, unable to build a proper staff, and carrying everything on raw talent.
Invest heavily and let him run—he'd deliver results.
But from the owner's view, after pouring in big money, any lack of quick results breeds anxiety.
That's why hiring people is tough, but I had faith to back him fully.
Heynckes finished his coffee and spoke calmly.
"The offer from Blackburn's owner... it's too good to turn down."
"Welcome to Blackburn, Don Jupp."
"Ha, haha—I haven't earned the 'Don' yet; I'm not that old."
Ah, my bad.
That was the nickname for the more seasoned veteran Heynckes later on.
"I'll get your England flight sorted right away."
"I'll formally contact Bilbao and say I'm heading to Blackburn."
"Yes, do that. I'm off to sign players in other countries."
"Going to Euro 2000? You weren't serious about Figo, were you?"
"Hmm... He's on the list, and I'm aiming for a few more world-class talents."
And so, Blackburn's next manager after Kenny Dalglish was set: the German Jupp Heynckes.
I could hardly wait to see Heynckes's Blackburn take on Ferguson and Wenger in the 00/01 season.
After wrapping up in Spain, I got word that England was finalizing Heynckes's salary and bonuses.
And where I arrived was Padova, Italy.
"Vice Chairman."
"Manager Jeong, nothing major? Let's go straight there."
"Right now?"
"Why drag it out?"
Last time with Gattuso, our Italian expat Manager Jeong Ki-cheol had dug up everything from press to family details. Now he had intel on another in northern Padova.
"He was released on a free transfer from Inter Milan this season."
"A Ballon d'Or winner cut loose? What's his condition?"
"In peak shape, but he clashed with coach Lippi, who wouldn't play him, so he requested the free release."
Manager Jeong had wined and dined Italian journalists for steak and vino to gather this for me.
We reached a secluded villa amid lush vineyards and olive groves outside Padova.
As I stepped out and straightened my clothes, Manager Jeong whispered over.
"Vice Chairman, I've spoken to his agent, but we haven't set a meeting time yet..."
"The world's full of surprises."
Flowers and pastries bought at the airport en route, and I strode right up to the Padova villa door.
I knocked.
[Who is it?]
"From England. Lee Dae-hyun, owner of Blackburn Rovers."
[?!]
The door opened, and the lady inside jumped in surprise, calling to the family.
In the stunned atmosphere, he still invited us in.
The Italian player on the living room sofa had missed Euro 2000 and fallen out badly with his manager, leaving him jobless.
But a Ballon d'Or winner.
That one phrase said it all.
His long, curly hair tied neatly back, silver earrings glinting.
His features were so exquisitely sculpted, even a guy like me was blown away.
He was ridiculously handsome.
"Allow me a proper introduction. Lee Dae-hyun, owner of Blackburn Rovers. Call me Mr. Lee."
"From England? Welcome from afar. I'm Roberto Baggio."
Roberto Baggio.
Negotiations were now underway in earnest with the world-class player released on a free from Inter Milan.