Post-Vacation, New Season
Lee Dae-hyun went on a trip to Busan with Alice Kim. He insisted on no security detail and drove there himself. They took in the sea, savored delicious food, and naturally, their next stop was the soccer stadium. The 15,000 fans at Gudeok Stadium showed a fervor rivaling the Premier League.
Thud— thud thud— thud thud—
Drums pounding,
Busan Daeyang Royals supporters chanting in unison.
The rhythmic drums and the supporters' cries drew involuntary applause.
"It's hard to see from the comprehensive stadium."
They had prime seats for just the two of them, but no broadcast cameras—just local radio commentary. The patchy grass, rough physical play, leisurely referee whistles—it was soccer worlds apart from Europe. Still, the variety of stadium snacks and its unique charm made it enjoyable. Alice cheered along to the Busan Daeyang Royals vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings match, munching on butter-grilled squid with canned beer.
"That number 22 is good."
"Mmm."
Busan's number 22. A Yonhee University soccer alum who joined Busan this season, a defender showing Rookie of the Year caliber. His name was Song Jung-guk, currently Busan's right back. Slim build but fearless in tackles, quick too—he'd clear the ball and sprint down the right flank. Then there was that Eastern European midfielder roaming the midfield. Urmov? Ulmov? He took Song Jung-guk's pass and unleashed a screamer that ripped into the net, leaving Suwon keeper Lee Woon-jae helpless.
"Goal!"
"Wow!"
Lee Dae-hyun hugged Alice and jumped for joy at Busan's goal. Yeah, winning feels just as good here.
As the crowd thinned out after the match, he slipped quietly into the Gudeok Stadium locker room. The coach and players jumped in surprise, rushing to greet him.
"O-Owner?"
"How did you get here?!"
"Just dropping by."
Unlike at Blackburn, the players fawned over him with utmost respect, while coach Kim Tae-woo broke into a cold sweat.
"Coach, great win today."
"Th-Thank you, sir."
"Song Jung-guk, right? The rookie's impressive."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Haha, not Chairman yet."
He pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to the coach.
"Special bonus for today. Treat the players to some meat."
"Th-Thank you, sir."
The coach signaled with his eyes after receiving it, and the players erupted in applause. Keep it up, everyone—especially Song Jung-guk.
After a full 3-night, 4-day Busan itinerary with Alice, they hit the road back to Seoul. Bored, Alice turned on the radio, and news came on.
When the sports news hit, Alice spoke quietly.
"5-0."
"Mmm..."
"Well, what can you do against France."
"Oh?"
"Why drag me into this again?"
The radio took a weird turn.
Beep— Alice shut off the radio. It soured their good mood heading to Seoul. He knew the Hiddink shake-up was coming, but now that he was involved this lifetime, the target was on him too.
"Once we're back in Seoul, we head straight to England."
"Transfer market prep?"
"Yeah. For the title."
"League win... good luck."
"Champs too."
Alice nodded with a subtle smile. These agitators shaking things up now? He'd see them next year. He'd remember every one, dig out the anonymous insiders, and deliver fitting payback. Blame your own shortsightedness.
After the date, he packed quickly and prepped for England. He got approval from his father and exchanged morning goodbyes.
"Back from vacation and off again? Will you at least get married this year?"
"It'll take a bit."
"What? You need to marry soon so Sull-ah can too."
"You go first—why follow birth order?"
"That's not the point!"
Parents insisting on marriages in sequence. They'd gotten to know each other, families informed, and post-Blackburn Champs win, wedding promised.
"Stay healthy. I'll call often."
He loaded up and headed to the airport. Now Incheon International, not Gimpo—a longer drive. Heynckes was back from vacation too, sending a long email. Shocking transfer requests from within Blackburn, rare signing proposals. Plenty to handle there. At the airport, reporters swarmed pre-departure.
"VP Lee Dae-hyun, a word on Coach Hiddink?"
"Saw the Confed Cup? Heard you were deeply involved in his hiring."
"One comment on the national team?"
Reporters pounced; security held them back. One word anyway? He raised a hand to halt them and faced the press. Amid flashing shutters, he spoke slowly.
"The Confed Cup was disappointing. But I see it as growing pains for Korean soccer."
"Growing pains? Even a 5-0 thrashing?"
"Doubts about Hiddink run deep domestically—what do you think?"
He beckoned for a mic; a broadcaster handed over a wireless one swiftly.
"First off: Korean soccer has spirit and fight, but the world's vast, powerhouses many."
Reporters scribbled furiously, shutters clicking.
"Koreans have been on tricycles. Now with training wheels on a four-wheeler for the World Cup—against pros like Netherlands, France, Brazil, Argentina."
Silence fell; he drove it home.
"We're at the stage of removing training wheels. Remember your first bike? Falling on flat ground, scraping, hurting, getting up—racing free. That's Korean soccer now."
"Too abstract?"
"Overly optimistic with just a year left?"
"Over a year remains, and Korean soccer will keep growing. I recommended Hiddink? Yes—and I'll share the blame for results! That's it!"
He tossed the mic back and headed to the gate. He could imagine the headlines, but no sweat. Cross lines too far, and Dad as Daeyang Chairman or brother Dae-chul as President wouldn't stand for it—they'd gripe indirectly, praise his faith or whatever. At the gate, he boarded for England.
Back at Blackburn Rovers' office, paperwork towered. First, the release list.
"Marlon Broomes to Sheffield Wednesday for £500k. Keith Gillespie to Leicester for £1m, Darren Dunning loaned to Rochdale, Kevin Davies to £6.5m transfer, David Dunn to Birmingham for £3m, Burton O'Brien free to Livingston."
Cleaning out second-stringers unused lately netted about £11m. They had to go, but surprises too.
"Paul Ince leaving..."
Heynckes across the table handed a letter. Envelope opened: Paul Ince's farewell.
Dear Blackburn Boss, Mr. Lee,
In my soccer career, Blackburn will be an unforgettable team.
But I'm 35 now. I want to play my own soccer. I politely decline renewal and seek a team close to my heart for my final years.
— Paul Ince
"Mmm..."
"Ince hasn't returned. Thinks this was his last Premier League-caliber season."
"Still, could've told us at season's end for a proper send-off."
Admiral Paul Ince gone—need a replacement.
"And Kevin Phillips requested a transfer."
"!"
"Wants a new challenge."
"New challenge to Arsenal or United, I hope not?"
"Hahaha, no. Outside PL, other leagues. Offers from Serie A and Bundesliga clubs."
Kevin Phillips: 30-goal league Golden Boot first season, European Golden Shoe. Solid this year too, but wants overseas challenge.
"Mr. Lee, your call. City's big, but defense is my priority."
"Which team offered Phillips most?"
"Serie A Parma."
"Gotta check Italy then."
This season's Serie A market exploding with mega-deals anyway. He'd dive into the storm gladly.
"By the way, Mr. Lee—heard? Luis Figo's record fee shattered."
"Yeah. Juventus' Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid for €77.5m."
"Terrifying. Player values hitting €100m era."
Figo's €60m was huge; Perez nabbed Zidane first anyway.
"Anyway, off to Italy. Won't return empty-handed."
"Then I'll handle returning players' training steadily."
01-02 summer transfer window begins.