Chapter 58
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Korean Prospects' Overseas Study Project?
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[Blackburn Rovers cruising with 2 wins and 1 draw since the Charity Shield!]
[Figo and Baggio turn a small Lancashire town team into title contenders.]
[Blackburn owner Mr. Lee: Beyond the football team, the Blackburn Master Plan to develop the entire city.]
They'd only played three games, but the British press was going wild.
Just three matches in, and with nine points from three wins, we were tied for second with Arsenal behind leaders Leeds. Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool were below us.
The transfer window wasn't closed yet, and who knew what big signings other clubs might pull off later, but expectations for the new arrivals this season were sky-high.
Not just our signings Figo and Baggio, but Arsenal had splashed out on class acts like Robert Pires, Chelsea on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink—transfers were the big story.
And Leeds had broken the record for a defender with a £27 million move for Rio Ferdinand from West Ham.
Truth be told, if the Figo deal had fallen through, I'd planned to honor the 'world-class promise' with a winger recommended by Heynckes plus Ferdinand. But Ferdinand was destined for Leeds anyway.
Whatever, I could always snag an even better defender later.
More than that, though, the 'Blackburn Master Plan' within the city was making waves beyond the sports pages, spreading through the British media.
A club owner from a distant Asian country wasn't just taking over a team—he was launching a project to develop the entire region. Everyone was intrigued.
The staff my father had sent were settling in smoothly at the Blackburn office, and design plans for expanding Ewood Park would be ready soon.
[RRRR- RRRR-]
"Mr. Lee, a call from Korea."
At my secretary's words, I picked up the receiver and dialed the number.
[Call connected.]
"Vice Chairman Lee Dae-hyun?"
[...?]
It wasn't Daeyang Group.
[This is the Korea Football Association.]
Jang Jun-mo, the KFA chairman, had called out of the blue.
What could it be? The Sydney Olympics hadn't even started yet.
"Ah, Chairman. How are you? Everything alright?"
[Hahaha, interest in overseas leagues is huge in Korea right now. Baseball's MLB, football's the Premier League.]
"The more attention our team gets back home, the better."
After greetings, Jang Jun-mo got to the point.
[Vice Chairman Lee, after that last friendly, with the World Cup coming up, we've realized the biggest issue for Korean football is our players' lack of experience in advanced football.]
"!?"
[So we're running a project to send young prospects abroad to broaden their horizons. But we need connections—overseas agents are pushing them to places like Belgium or Austria...]
He trailed off oddly.
No way he was asking me to use my name to open doors in the English Premier League?
[Vice Chairman Lee, that Blackburn team of yours has famous players. Could you take some along to let them learn?]
...He was asking for even more.
Basically, slot some players in through my connections? From the KFA chairman???
"Send the details by fax first. No guarantees they can play for our team."
[Vice Chairman Lee, I owe you one. I'll remember this—I owe you a big debt.]
This was insane.
And so, when the documents arrived, they were all high school and university players.
Names I'd never heard of, videos of pre-pro amateurs who'd been drafted.
But one familiar name stood out.
"Kwanghan University footballer Seol Ki-yoon..."
Striker, 187cm tall, 82kg—a sturdy build that could hold up in Europe, later a key player in the 2002 World Cup.
The others, I didn't know, but this guy appealed to me a bit.
So I called in Heynckes early after training that day, handed him the videos and profiles, and asked.
"What do you think?"
"To be honest, there's no spot for them here."
"Ah, Coach. They're prospects—can't we take them to broaden their horizons?"
Heynckes crooked a finger at me.
"I appreciate the dedication from Korea for the World Cup in two years. These must be the hot prospects in your country. That's exactly why it won't work."
"!"
"If they'd come at 14-15 as students, maybe. But late teens, early twenties who've already matured physically? Trying to develop them in the EPL now? Impossible."
Heynckes was brutally frank about the Korean players.
"Mr. Lee, it's like those Olympic reps you pointed out in the Korea friendly—Park Ji-seon, Lee Young-hyo, Lee Chun-soo. Solid for your domestic first team. But not Premier League."
In Heynckes' eyes, even the future 2002 World Cup stars were 'below standard.'
A world-class judge of talent, as sharp as Hiddink, and just as merciless.
"Mr. Lee, the Korean players you recommend need at least 1-2 years under experienced European coaches drilling fundamentals and team play."
"Build basics first, then step up?"
I got why Hiddink was a legend, and why Heynckes was saying this.
"And frankly, none of these are ready for Europe right now."
"Hmm."
"This Seol K-yoon? Seol... Ki-yoon? Decent physique, could be useful for set-piece battles."
"Ah, Seol Ki-yoon."
"Not Premier League material, of course. Lower leagues to build experience, steady growth."
With that from Heynckes, I put bringing more Korean players to Blackburn on hold.
Better to wait post-2002 World Cup, when their potential fully blooms, and snag a few then—even if pricey.
"Oh, speaking of Korean players, what about Ryu?"
"Yes, Yoo Sung-chul. He's not getting much game time lately—it's on my mind."
The utility man Yoo Sung-chul—defensive mid, central mid, right wing, right back—had been a solid squad player.
But this season, Heynckes favored Jeff Kenna at right back, and Ince-Parker-Gattuso in central mid.
Holland took the multi-roles, and Shaun Wright-Phillips was getting the right wing push.
"I'm working on his basics. Cups and Europe this season—Figo can't play everything, so at least 10 games in the first half for him."
Minimum 10 games before the winter break. Hang in there, Mr. Yoo.
Love it or hate it, you're one of the 2002 World Cup heroes.
After Heynckes' assessment—no EPL-ready prospects.
But I'd gotten the request, and could rack up a 'big debt' from Hyeonkyung Group, so I figured I'd help the KFA once.
Jang Jun-mo's successor... I could aim for that.
Opportunity knocked unexpectedly.
While calling around England on non-football business, I reached Al-Fayed.
[Mr. Lee, Daeyang really gets things done fast. The stand expansion will finish ahead of schedule.]
"Faster than the rest—that's how you win more contracts."
[Hahaha!]
Al-Fayed, on a roll, said he'd positively review supplying Korean products via Daeyang Global to his Harrods department store.
"How's Fulham these days?"
[Early season still, but we'll promote this year for sure. You beat me to being the first foreign EPL owner, but second will be me.]
"From Division Four to Premier League—your steady build with Fulham will pay off big."
[Transfer deadline's September 1st. Got any spare strikers at Blackburn? Loan, like Kevin Davies.]
Kevin Davies was on a two-year loan and would return end of season... but he'd helped Southampton's promotion a ton.
When Al-Fayed asked for a promising loanee for Fulham too, a name popped up.
"Mr. Al-Fayed."
[Hm?]
"Korea's pushing prospects abroad pre-World Cup. Interested?"
[What, got a striker to recommend?]
"East Asian, but 6'2" (188cm), over 180lbs (81kg)—sturdy build, top amateur talent."
[Ho, cheap lottery ticket?]
Hooked, Al-Fayed.
No need to shop around—second division Fulham needed a strong striker. I clear the KFA debt, secure a London foothold, and Harrods distribution as a bonus.
That's how you do business.
[Kwanghan Univ.'s Seol Ki-yoon, pushing for Europe, heads to England's Division 2 Fulham FC.]
[A thousand miles begins with one step—aim for the second Korean Prem league player! Seol Ki-yoon to Fulham.]
[Daeyang Group and KFA backing? Analysis of Seol Ki-yoon's Fulham move.]
[KFA's 'Prospects Overseas Study Project' rides on Seol Ki-yoon's success.]
And so, Seol Ki-yoon joined Fulham.
"Contact the London office—make sure they help him out. Fulham's right next to our place, yeah?"
"Yes, Vice Chairman. Interpreter and housing sorted, and Manager Kim says staff will assist as sponsors for adaptation."
"Good."
After Seol Ki-yoon's Fulham signing, the Sydney Olympics loomed.
And as I'd advised, Jang Jun-mo planned to scout A-grade foreign coaches post-Olympics, already eyeing Guus Hiddink.
The field was plowed deep. I tended my business while smoothly planting roots in Korean football circles.