From Rock Bottom to Ultimate Glory
In the Blackburn Rovers office, they held a meeting.
"A 10-match fan ban? What do you all think about this?"
"Usually, throwing bottles or lighters that injure players results in a 1- or 2-match ban. But they caused riots beyond the stadium, so 10 matches makes sense."
Heynckes clicked his tongue, reminiscing about old times.
"Germany had fan bans for Dortmund and Mönchengladbach riots in the past, too."
"And a €1 million fine?"
"That's basically extra punishment on top of compensating for the stadium damage and public facilities they wrecked."
It was a harsh penalty, but I still couldn't stomach Barcelona getting off that lightly.
"To really screw Barcelona, that's not enough. We need to go beyond Luis Figo and rip out another heart from Barcelona."
"If only that were possible."
"Check it out. Any players in Barcelona nearing contract end or requesting transfers—prioritize reviewing them all."
Figo was just the start. I'd strip away every so-called symbol of Barcelona one by one. Sure, Messi had been locked away like a jewel in a vault since joining last year, refusing to budge under youth protection policies even if it killed him. But at least he'd watch his mentors vanish one by one before he grew up.
With Barcelona payback decided for the season's end, he shifted to rallying the Blackburn squad.
"Kids' clothes, teddy bears, toy cars, game consoles—nothing missing, right?"
"Yes, Vice President."
This was all for the children of every player on the Blackburn roster. And he'd generously hook up the Daeyang Global UK branch staff who prepared it.
"Things'll be chaotic after the Barcelona match—gotta fix any mental issues fast. With just 7 games left for league title, nothing bonds a team like the family buff."
"Not even Christmas, but it'll be one hell of a gift party."
Park the deputy manager smiled as he packed game consoles and teddy bears into boxes.
Daeyang staff delivered it directly to the players' homes, and the next day at training, the squad's faces lit up like Christmas morning.
"Boss, got the teddy bear you sent. My daughter won't let go even when sleeping."
"A video game console? The kid's school age now."
"Mr. Lee, thanks to you, it was a perfect gift for my grandkids in Germany."
Southgate, Figo, Baggio—even Heynckes came by to thank him for the gifts. In that warm atmosphere, they finally united as one for the remaining schedule.
Round 32, away at Newcastle. A frustrating 2-2 draw. But the squad showed no discouragement, pressing relentlessly.
Round 33, home vs. Southampton. Baggio and Larsson exploded for a 2-0 win.
Round 34, home vs. Liverpool. The final hurdle. 20,000 at Ewood Park chanted Wild Rovers, cheering wildly. Back from April overseas training, Yoo Sung-chul started alongside Holland, long sidelined by injury.
Bridge-Southgate-Thuram-Holland in defense. Barry-Parker-Gattuso-Yoo Sung-chul in midfield. Larsson and Vitty up top unleashed a barrage that made their UEFA Cup thriller look tame.
But once again, Blackburn emerged victorious. Thwack—Yoo Sung-chul, fresh off his return, lofted a crisp central pass. Larsson volleyed it home—a goal that shook not just Liverpool's title race but the Champions League spots too.
4-3 on Larsson's strike. In that 7-goal thriller, Yoo Sung-chul's assist sealed it. Larsson and Yoo embraced in celebration; from the stands, he applauded wildly.
"Tomorrow's Korean papers will be lit. Assist right on debut—total chaos."
With Scotland-England-France friendlies in June for final World Cup prep, 4 wins would clinch it.
After the match, heading to the locker room to congratulate the manager and players, Heynckes bellowed so loud it shook the walls.
"Focus! Focus, lads! I'll say it right here!"
He grabbed the door handle but listened quietly from outside.
"Four games left. We're at 72 points. Win 'em all, perfect. But at minimum, three wins to claim the league!"
Heynckes rallied them to the end for the title.
"We're going all the way! Instead of United last season—we'll climb up and stop Ferguson's three-peat! We can do it!"
"We can do it!"
"Alf and Ryu are back. Our one-team spirit from opening day reunites at the finish. Fight on—the peak is right there!"
Heynckes' charismatic locker room speech had the players' fire seeping out the door. Better save the pep talk for after the title.
Away at London Chelsea. Ranieri was battling Newcastle and Leeds for Champions League spots. 40,000 at Stamford Bridge jeered Blackburn, urging their home side to win at all costs.
Then Figo, back after so long, took van Bommel's pass. He bulldozed centrally, shredding Desailly and John Terry's center-back line, and fired instead of passing to Larsson or Vitty.
The net rippled beautifully. Figo roared in a sprint—his ceremony thumbing his nose at the Camp Nou whiskey bottle terror.
And they kept charging.
Round 36 vs. Middlesbrough. Czech poacher Salazar Nemes struck first, shaky start. But Duff-Baggio-Larsson-Figo gears shifted. Figo equalized in 34', Larsson flipped it 46', Baggio made it 3-1 in 67'. Big win—78 points.
Round 37, away at Everton. Gritty 2-1, but they scraped it. 81 points. Arsenal at 79. Down to the wire.
Round 38. Home Ewood Park. Blackburn vs. Fulham. Ironically, the club that helped him buy his EPL team and birthed Premier League Korean #2 after Yoo Sung-chul—final decider.
Mohamed Al-Fayed came up from London. Facing the now mid-table 12th-placed Fulham post-promotion, Blackburn gave everything.
Blackburn Rovers Formation
Larsson
R. Baggio
SWP—Gattuso—Yoo Sung-chul—Figo
Barry—Southgate—Thuram—Melberg
Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel in goal to the last. Yoo Sung-chul central midfield for the title clincher. Cheering van Bommel's sub despite his rough form—no, cheering everyone.
Tweet—Kickoff. Blackburn attacked from the jump; Fulham dropped deep lines, defensive lockdown. Tigana, their French boss, barked furiously for a draw and that point—park-the-bus soccer. Sean Davis, Steve Finnan, John Harley threw bodies at Figo and Duff dribbles.
Frustrating: constant long balls, no goal by 30'. Then Louis Saha passed to Seol Ki-hyun, who bolted down Blackburn's open flank. Melberg rushed, but Seol unleashed a thunderbolt mid-ranger—Friedel spilled it.
"Rooooaaar!!!"
Fulham struck first. Premier League Korean #2 Seol Ki-hyun scores. Celebrate or not? Trailing 0-1. Blackburn 81, Arsenal-Everton goalless at 80—neck and neck.
Then 77'.
Beep—
"?"
Goal at Highbury Stadium—Everton scores first.
Everton goal instead—Blackburn holds 81, Arsenal 79. Pounded the rest of the half—no breakthrough.
Second half. "Let's go, Rovers!"
Blackburn, mentally armored from the locker room: Thuram right-back for Melberg, Richard Dunne partners Southgate at center-back. Heynckes' will—push wing-backs up if wings jammed, raise the line higher.
Shot after shot, teetering on explosion—but no dice. Then 52'—Baggio's strike flew true, hit the bar. Fulham keeper Schwarzer flapped it away, but Larsson leaped, header slamming the rebound home.
"Yesss!!!"
Equalizer at last. Larsson's airplane wings celebration zipped the pitch; Ewood Park erupted louder.
Meanwhile, Arsenal-Everton slugfest: Arsenal two up, Everton one back—2-2.
Tracking Arsenal live, sudden roar—stadium shook.
"What, what?"
Sean Wright-Phillips dribble breakthrough goal. Everyone piled on Ian Wright's son, the little bullet man, celebrating.
"Ah, damn!"
Phone tossed, jumped up. Fixated on Arsenal slip-up, missed our miracle turnaround.
83'. Heynckes subbed Holland and Scott Parker for Gattuso and Figo.
Tense 8 minutes flowed. Ignored Arsenal-Everton result, clung to 2-1 lead, breathless till stoppage 1'.
Tweet-tweet—Squeee!—
Title! League title! Round 38 clinched the Premier League.
Players embraced in title joy. He bolted down the stairs.
Ferguson's three-peat dynasty toppled—Blackburn kings again since '95.
"Mr. Lee!"
"Don Yupp, champions. League champions!"
"Thanks for trusting us. Three trophies this season?"
Year two, flawless. Massive Premier League trophy via FA officials, podium up—fans arm-in-arm belting Anthem Wild Rovers.
Captain Southgate hoisted the league king's prize. Fireworks burst—he soaked in maximum glory.
The 2001-2002 Premier League is Blackburn Rovers'.