Dad was a Genius - Chapter 48
Only Noblemtl
My Dad Was a Genius Episode 048
In my previous life, I was a non-athlete.
That’s why I rolled around the soccer field while receiving all kinds of looks of contempt and ridicule.
Even in foreign countries, it wasn’t much different.
It was basic to ignore him, saying, “What would you know since you’re not a former athlete?” and he persevered to the end despite enduring rampant racial discrimination.
So, I was recognized for my ability alone, but in the end, I was unable to achieve my dream of becoming a director.
Maybe that’s why.
I personally paid a lot of attention to coach Lee Min-goo.
But there was never any personal feeling involved in appointing him.
If his abilities weren’t the best among coaches, he would never have been made head coach.
“… … .”
I secretly watched Coach Lee Min-gu, who stayed late into the night to reinforce tactics.
It’s visibly clear that he’s growing.
Although he has not yet fully realized his potential, this valuable experience will make him a different person.
And one day, you will take over this position for me.
I have a dream.
I told the players that all they wanted to do was win the K-League by recording an unprecedented number of points, but I was looking forward to something more than that.
That is, becoming the first Asian manager in the major leagues and lifting the championship trophy.
It would be great if my father was there with me.
That’s why I had to keep going, endlessly.
There was no time to stop.
But I didn’t want to leave Cheonan irresponsibly.
So I wanted to pass on as much as possible to Coach Lee Min-goo.
So that one day he can become the new coach of this strong team called Cheonan.
To do that,
“First of all, the first win.”
* * *
“Why on earth! Why on earth us!”
Busan FC manager Lee Sang-yong screamed.
Busan is currently on a pleasant three-game winning streak.
The next opponent is Cheonan, the center of the controversy.
Even Coach Lee Sang-yong was left shaking his head at the difference in Cheonan’s performance when the coach was there and when he was not.
I remember the first time I dealt with Cheonan.
At that moment, when I saw the tactics that Cha Seong-eun had shown me, a chill ran down my spine and shivers ran through my entire body.
That was probably the first time.
I saw someone’s tactics and thought it was scary.
So, as the rematch with Cha Seong-eun approached, my hands started shaking and my heart started pounding.
However, Cha Seong-eun collapsed, and Cheonan returned to the Cheonan of last season.
Even Cha Seong-i cheered when he heard that he would have to stay in the hospital for at least two months.
But why, why on earth!
“We’re coming back when we play!”
Why did the heavens give birth to me, Lee Sang-yong, and Cha Seong-eun?
He screamed and covered his head.
“Busan is finished.”
“Director, calm down.”
“Busan is finished!!”
But has the heavens not abandoned Busan yet?
“The return of the car has been postponed to a later date.”
“……what?”
“I heard that head coach Lee Min-goo will continue to serve as acting coach?”
“Really? You’re not lying, are you?”
“Yes. We checked several times and confirmed that Coach Lee Min-gu is already registered as the next game manager. If it’s registered with the KFA, it can’t be changed. Coach Lee Min-gu must be in the Busan game.”
Cha Seong-eun will not return for this match.
That means,
“Hahahaha! Looks like we’re going to have a smooth 4-game winning streak.”
I suddenly felt better.
I thought I would be caught by Cha Seong-eun without being able to move and suffer another defeat.
“You are really scared of Cha Seong-eun.”
“Hey. If there’s a K-League manager who isn’t afraid of Cha Sung, tell him to come out and see. If they face him even once, he’ll probably overreact more than I do.”
As we live, we face many challenges.
If you lose, you usually think, ‘Ah, that’s too bad.’
But it’s different when the opponent is Cha Seong-eun.
The words ‘what a pity’ do not even come out of my mouth.
It would be correct to say that nothing comes out.
I just have this thought.
wall.
I’m facing a wall right now.
That too is an insurmountable wall.
“But it is true that Coach Cha Seong did not return to the stadium, but he was discharged from the hospital and returned to the club. According to the information, he gave feedback on Coach Lee Min-goo’s tactics all night long?”
“Tsk tsk. You’ve been rolling around in this field with me for years, and you still don’t know? Well, that’s true. Coaches and managers have different perspectives.”
“… … ?”
“What good is it to tinker with tactics? In the end, it’s the coach who leads the team that’s important. Tactics are important, of course. But you never know how soccer will go. You never know what tactics the opponent will use. And there are many times when you have to change tactics depending on the players’ condition that day. Coach Lee Min-goo didn’t lose three games in a row because he lacked tactics.”
There is a saying:
Tactics are the framework, and it is the manager’s job to add to it and build on it.
That’s what soccer is.
In a situation that changes every moment, the manager must change tactics, and if he is late in responding, it will directly lead to a loss of goals.
“Not only that, but he also motivates the players and sometimes scolds them by yelling at them. Even though he is tied to the coaching zone, he has an influence just by his presence. If you were going to play soccer simply with tactics, you could just use a tactics coach. Why would you use a manager?”
A director is a commander who moves soldiers, and a commander is in charge of tactics, tactics, motivation, etc.
It has influence in many ways.
The atmosphere changes depending on how much control the manager has over the team.
That is why coach Lee Sang-yong was not afraid of coach Lee Min-goo.
Because he was inexperienced and only knew how to tinker with tactics, he had little influence as a manager.
‘It’s scary that Cha Seong-eun has touched this tactic a bit.’
It was impossible to lose to such a rookie manager.
* * *
[The match that everyone is paying attention to is about to start. Busan and Cheonan! Busan is looking at a 4-game winning streak, and Cheonan is looking at a 4-game losing streak! This is a match that no one can back down from!]
4 wins in a row, 4 losses in a row.
Cheonan and Busan fans sang their cheers with all their might for what they wanted.
Although the battle between the two camps was tense, the locker room was quiet.
“… … .”
Breaking the heavy silence, Coach Lee Min-goo spoke.
“I know everyone has questions about me. Director Cha Seong is back, so why is that kid still directing?”
The atmosphere that had been frozen by his light joke calmed down as the players laughed.
“But the coach wants to see that the team can do well without him, that we are still a strong team. The coach said that last time. Our Cheonan is definitely not a one-man team. The reason he still keeps me here is to prove that.”
“… … !”
“So let’s go. This time, we’ll definitely win. And… … trust me one last time. I won’t make that stupid mistake again.”
At those words, the players stood up from their seats.
“I trust you, Coach.”
“How much time have we spent together?”
“We will do better.”
“Cheer up, Coach!”
Their sincere encouragement made Lee Min-gu feel like he was about to burst into tears again.
But now is not the time to shed tears.
I’ll save that for the moment of victory.
* * *
“What, what are these guys?”
poop.
It was a word that meant Cheonan’s athletic ability.
Cheonan’s performance, which resulted in three consecutive losses, was nothing but shit.
But not today.
Coach Lee Sang-yong couldn’t help but be surprised to see Cheonan looking completely different from the last game.
“Why are you suddenly so good at it?”
Why are you doing this to us again?
Why are you being so strict only with us!
Director Lee Sang-yong looked at the scoreboard, clutching his head.
[Cheonan 1:0 Busan]
They conceded a goal early in the first half with a lightning-quick attack.
The sight of them hungry for that goal and quickly penetrating into the box to score was reminiscent of the old Cheonan.
“Is it because Cha Seong-eun has returned?”
Cha Seong-eun will be sitting somewhere in the stands watching this game today.
The reason Cheonan’s performance could suddenly change so much is probably thanks to Cha Seong.
He said he gave feedback on the tactics of acting manager Lee Min-goo.
but,
“Just giving feedback on tactics won’t change the game performance to this extent.”
Is that because of that acting director?
“Jincheol. Get off to the side! And Jinsu, you have to back up from behind when Jincheol is away!”
Interim manager Lee Min-goo, who was giving instructions to the players while shouting at the top of his lungs, was very passionate. He was so passionate that you wouldn’t think of him as a manager who had suffered three consecutive losses.
Also, seeing him react immediately to tactical changes, it seems he has become somewhat accustomed to the position of manager.
In just 3 games?
“I guess he was a talented guy.”
So, I guess Cha Seong-eun put him in the position of acting director.
In addition, Cha Seong-eun could have returned for this match, but he did not.
Why would that be?
This is to provide experience to acting director Lee Min-goo.
“How dare you speak against us.”
As I thought about it, I suddenly became angry.
“Did we look that funny?”
“You were happy that Cha Sung wouldn’t come out until before the game.”
“… … .”
But then I came to my senses at the thought that if I just sat there blankly, I might lose to that rookie manager.
If we lose here, it’s obvious that we’ll be laughed at for a long time.
“I can never let it be like that.”
Coach Lee Sang-yong took off his suit and started yelling at the players.
* * *
Beep-!!
[The game is over! Cheonan finally breaks their losing streak and draws 2-2 with Busan!]
“ah…….”
In the end, I didn’t win this time either.
Although they managed to break the losing streak by drawing, Lee Min-goo was very disappointed.
If only I had made a better judgment there, if only I had done a little more research.
The result might have been different.
“Coach Lee Min-goo.”
I was walking out of the stadium and heading to the locker room.
He ran into Cha Seong-eun, who had been waiting for him.
“Go, director.”
Aren’t you very disappointed in yourself for not being able to achieve victory today?
No, I’m sure you will.
but,
“You did a great job today.”
“……yes?”
“It was a tough game. Busan had prepared thoroughly for us. If the coach hadn’t taken appropriate measures in the middle of the game, we might have lost by a large margin.”
Director Cha Seong smiled and did not spare his praise.
He is a man who is aiming for the ridiculous record of 100 points.
For him, today’s draw would be a fatal blow.
Still, he was smiling.
“Director. I… … .”
“No. You don’t have to blame yourself anymore. Today’s experience will make you stronger, Coach Lee Min-gu. And you will be able to do better next time, right?”
“What’s next?”
Next? Today’s game was the last as interim manager.
But then when are you talking about next?
“Then go to the players. Until today, Coach Lee Min-goo was the coach who took my place.”
Coach Lee Min-goo blankly stared at the back of Cha Seong-eun, who was walking out with a straight back and dignified gait.
Then I pulled myself together and headed to the locker room.
“……after.”
He prepared himself mentally and then opened the door.
Today was a match we could have easily won, but we ended up drawing because of ourselves.
I’m sure it’ll be a huge disappointment.
“Hey, kids.”
But as soon as he came inside, the players stood up and applauded.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Thanks to you, we had a good game today.”
“We should have done better, we’re sorry.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Coach!”
“… … .”
Coach Lee Min-goo’s whole body trembled at the sight.
And finally, the tears I had been holding back burst out.
All the difficult times I had been through flashed before my eyes.
I really felt like I made the right decision to join this team.