86 - In-House Independent Enterprise
November wrapped up smoothly, and with Boxing Day on the horizon, they continued to hold firm at the top of the table. Not just in the league—progress in the Champions League and EFL Cup had been equally straightforward, crushing lower-league sides along the way.
"Blackburn Rovers have led the table all first half of the season, but their biggest problem right now has to be the injury crisis, doesn't it?"
"Yes, exactly. With the European campaign and all these cup competitions this season, the packed schedule is wearing the players down."
Kevin Phillips' words on the BBC broadcast had Lee Dae-hyun nodding along automatically.
"We're over the seven-eighths mark, though."
"Mr. Lee, here's the current squad status."
I checked through the squad report Heynckes handed me, one by one.
"Holland won't be back until January next year at the earliest, Damien Duff's got a hamstring strain for three weeks, Henning Berg's rib injury is two weeks, and Van Bommel's suspended for two games on yellow-card accumulation."
With Boxing Day looming, injuries ripping through the squad was an unavoidable curse of the EPL.
"Time to move in the winter transfer window?"
"For now, we can hold out by leaning hard on the existing subs."
With Berg out, Richard Dunne and Martin Taylor had stepped up from cup games into league sub roles, backing Southgate and Melberg. Yoo Sung-chul's minutes had dropped sharply this season, but he'd at least gotten some time as cover for Thuram and Figo.
"Mr. Lee, Paulo Bento's a fine strategist. Our midfield crushes leagues with Gattuso and Van Bommel's power duo, but they both suck at card management. Bento holds the base, pushing prospects like Barry and Parker forward."
"That's why veterans are gold—they step up when the team's rattled, steadying the young guns' nerves."
Of course, it wasn't just about experience; it only worked for players who linked well with teammates on the pitch and stayed out of off-field drama.
"We'll rotate somehow through Boxing Day to keep this position."
"Any players you need in the winter window?"
"Haha, not yet."
Heynckes was the type who rarely begged for signings, even in the original timeline—just molded what he had into winners. If the most he'd ever requested from a club was Bayern's €40 million Harvey Martinez, you could call him frugal.
"You sure the current lineup's enough?"
"If things get dire, we'll promote from the youth team."
"!"
With that level of confidence, the winter window could slide by smoothly.
"Mr. Lee, everything else is fine, but I'm not sure if it's my place..."
"Something else on your mind?"
"The club operations staff. How do you plan to build it out?"
"!"
"You're the best owner a club could have, Mr. Lee. But we need scouts, strategy analysts, marketing, grounds management, fan liaison—proper people."
Without a director, president, or GM, I'd been handling it all solo—that's what Heynckes was getting at.
"I spoke with John Williams; he says he's fully stepping down come the new year. Figured you must have a plan."
I nodded at the operations question and pulled out some documents.
"I tried hiring pro soccer admins as president to build a system. All flops."
Heynckes' eyebrows danced as he scanned the list.
"Johan Cruyff, Arrigo Sacchi, Michel Platini, Pete Dufresne..."
"All turned me down. Negotiating with Emre Zaki now—he won't commit but won't say no outright either."
Once I locked in one soccer pro, I'd bring over the Daeyang Group execs who'd backed me all along.
"Yupp, clubs can't have their own agency. But we need intel and negotiation pros—not just Commonwealth, but Europe-wide operators."
"How do you plan to build that?"
"I'm creating a CIC—an in-house independent company. Pulling talent from Daeyang Global and Blackburn to form a soccer consulting team under my lead."
"!"
"Made this myself—take a look?"
While overseeing stadium expansions and cheering with fans on matchdays, I'd prepped this on the side. After Perez's Figo meddling and Raiola's advice, a dedicated soccer consulting firm felt essential.
I'd seed it with 5% of my Daeyang Group shares and 15% of Blackburn Rovers equity, ensuring pro operations if I was tied up elsewhere. It'd also lure top Daeyang Global Europe staff to Blackburn.
"What do you think, Yupp?"
"Hmm, this... it's different from Bundesliga boards, Spain's member-backed presidents, or Serie A family dynasties."
"This is the new Blackburn style."
"There'll be a long transition. But no interference on the pitch side? I'm in."
Heynckes and I shook on it, greenlighting the project. I looped in HQ, sent Dad the "in-house personal org" proposal, got approval.
Time to execute.
Boxing Day came and went, and Daeyang Global's Europe branch execs trickled into Blackburn one by one.
"Thought of Yang Exec from Spain, but he recommended Director Jung instead."
"Ha, haha—I don't know much about soccer."
"But you know the networks in soccer and media inside out."
They'd summoned Director Jung Ki-chul from Italy to Blackburn, England. He'd handled food import-export deals there originally, but also Gattuso's signing, his family's restaurant expansions, Roberto Baggio's free agency push, and Parma ties via parent Parma Azienda.
If Jang Jun-mo had his carryover from Hyun Kyung Heavy Industries via Kang Sam-yong overseas chief, I had my own Jung Ki-chul for soccer-business deals.
Park Deputy went beside Director Jung; they formalized the corp as Blackburn&Daeyang—B&D Company's launch.
"Director Jung takes overall part lead. Build the org chart, scout soccer helpers across Europe."
"Continent-wide headhunting—takes time."
"Post the ad; talent will come. You filter 'em, other branch station chiefs mobilize."
Thus, B&D Company formed, awaiting arrivals to fuel Blackburn's rise.
B&D Company's interview room. Prospects from across Europe gathered; Park Deputy and Director Jung sat at the table, interviewing entrants one by one.
First in: a black-white mixed middle-aged man, short at under 170cm.
"Introduce yourself."
"Chris Hughton from Ireland."
Park flipped his resume.
"Tottenham Hotspur youth alum, over 50 Ireland caps, caretaker manager experience?"
"Applied for UEFA coaching license support and full soccer admin ops."
First applicant: Chris Hughton. Warm vibes all around; he shook hands and left. One down.
Second: tall, sturdy build, handsome white guy with a charming smile.
"Luis Andre? 23 years old, no pro playing career?"
"Coaching track from childhood. UEFA C license at 17."
"Ho, impressive young. B at 18, A at 19?"
While kids studied and kicked balls in academies, this teen mastered international licenses in three years.
"Long haul from rural Portugal—what draws you to our club?"
"My coach was England legend Sir Bobby Robson. Want to succeed on his stage."
"Power analysis role needs pitch comms. Gaffer's German, staff Dutch, Portuguese, French mix. You connect?"
"Fields run English unified, no? Confident there."
I nodded from the back at prospect two's bold reply.
"Name's Luis Andre?"
"Yes."
"Thought Portuguese names were lo~ong. Full name that?"
Andre grinned, approached, spread fingers dramatically, reeling it out slow.
"My name is..."
"Mm."
"Luis Andre de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas."
"!?"
"Too long?"
"...Just Andre Villas-Boas okay?"
"Sure, if you hire me."
After Chris Hughton, Andre Villas-Boas joined via B&D's ad.
Third arrival: older than the first two, tall but unathletic-looking. Thinning hair, thick gold-rimmed glasses, suited up but reeking of cigs—a middle-aged man.
"Self-intro, please."
"Maurizio Sarri, from Toscana Bank."
"Banker?"
"Bank by day, amateur club coach by night. Took a sixth-tier side to fourth—applying now."
Park and Jung eyed his odd path, then me.
"Hired."
"!?"
"Finance first, then training facilities. Get UEFA coaching license here."
"Hired? Truly grateful."
Blackburn's consulting firm opened. First hires: Chris Hughton (ex-Ireland international), Andre Villas-Boas (17-year-old license whiz turned amateur staff), Maurizio Sarri (ex-banker/amateur coach combo).