Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 183



Only Krnovel

Episode 183 Call (2)

As soon as I arrived at Frankfurt International Airport, what I was met with was… … an angry potato.

Alex Pasek, a middle-aged man with bushy hair who works for Act Sports Agency and is my personal agent.

He forced a smile with a face as sinister as a murderous spirit, and Jae-seon, who was also on the same plane, looked at me as if he had done something wrong.

I found out the exact reason on my way back to Cologne.

[Cologne, virtually begins work on releasing the Holy Sky.]

[Agreement with multiple big clubs imminent.]

[The summer transfer market continues. Cologne’s decision.]

[Should Germany’s Best Goat Be Slaughtered?]

The article about ‘Cologne’s financial soundness’, first reported by German media, was exported to Korea, then reprocessed and imported to Germany. Cologne fans were also shocked and turned upside down.

But it was the process of the article, rather than its content, that caused the outrage.

“Those damn guys. You’re doing an interview without even giving me a reason?”

“… … Did you say anything? If you say it was a mistake-”

“Ugh.”

As the scenery of the highway passes by outside the window, the man sitting in the passenger seat spits out a loud snort and a phlegm-like sound, as if telling me not to say anything absurd.

“It couldn’t have been a mistake, and there’s no reason to overlook it. Are you interviewing me about financial issues? The financial announcement is due in November at the earliest. I don’t think they’ve even finished organizing the books yet. And even if they do announce it, it’ll just be submitted to the club website and the DFB (German Football Federation). How can an executive director do an interview? Hanul, you need to look at the situation calmly. A club, especially the board of directors, doesn’t move recklessly. Every word and action carries a responsibility, and people tend to look deeply into your intentions.”

“huh.”

Despite hearing advice that was almost intellectual, doubts still arise in a corner of my mind.

Isn’t it too fast?

Whether it’s a transfer rumor or a conflict with the club, it feels like it’s somehow slipped out of my hands. However, there’s no way to turn back a situation that’s already accelerating.

“… … So what happens now?”

“I have a dinner appointment for tomorrow night.”

“With who?”

“Werner Wolf. With the Cologne chairman. I was going to ask for it anyway, but you asked first.”

No, maybe there is.

Now that I have a chance to meet the club’s top executive, I wonder if things will change if I get angry, argue with him, or just put my heads together and do something.

The purest thoughts are soon shattered.

Beyond the rearview mirror, Alex Pasek is looking ‘real’ angry, muttering to himself with a stern look in his eyes. I’ve never seen anything like it.

“You’re just being a bitch. You know exactly what we’re going to think, and you still do this shit, #@$s.”

“… … What do you think?”

“… … .”

“I’m asking because I don’t know. It doesn’t feel real. Is it that bad? We’ve had similar conversations before. I asked if you were going to leave or stay, and if you were going to stay-”

“You want me to stay until next summer? Yes, I did. I did. That’s why it’s more of a problem.”

“… … Is there another problem? What?”

When I asked him a question, trying to shake off his instinctive feeling of intimidation, he took a deep breath (and apologized for swearing) and continued speaking with a calm expression.

Of course, the look in his eyes remains unchanged.

“There are unwritten rules in society. They are not written down in writing or documents, but they are implicit rules and regulations that must be observed by each other. If we go a little further, we can even call them norms. The same goes for the football business. The relationship between agents, clubs, and players is full of these elements. Agents must take the maximum amount of advantage to represent the interests of the players, but they must not cause direct harm.”

“Are there any cases where it causes direct damage?”

“Yes, there are those who will do anything to secure a favorable contract. For example, I have Jonas and Hanul, that is, you, as clients. You are both key players on the team.”

“huh.”

“If we do this, we might push for unreasonable demands. For example, we might subtly hint that if Hanul’s salary isn’t met at the highest level, it will be difficult when the next contract is renewed, or on the contrary, we might ask Jonas to delay his retirement… … Anyway, something like that. I don’t think they’ll do that, but it’s possible.”

“……I see.”

I kind of understand it.

But the key is what comes next.

“But this time, the club has crossed the line of ‘norms.’ If you had decided to stay until next summer, then they would normally pursue an extension contract. Next summer, there will be exactly one year left until your contract expires, right?”

“… … Yeah. But what does that have to do with the contract extension?”

“The recruiting side, that is, the other club, may be targeting a free transfer. Hold on for one more year and come to our team. When your contract expires, we will give you a salary that is comparable to the transfer fee. Considering your age, it is not impossible. In addition, the buyout amount can be renewed. That must have been their goal. They would have tried to raise your weekly salary with all sorts of fanfare, but at least they would have tried to specify a buyout amount of 40 million euros or more.”

“… … .”

Who put salt in my heart?

The more I listen to it, the more I feel salty.

“I also tried to believe that it wasn’t true until now… … . I told you, there’s no way the board of directors knew about this situation and acted accordingly. Even if they did not know about it and acted accordingly, nothing would have changed. Now, I have no choice but to think that way.”

“Okay. Then let me ask you one more thing.”

“As much as you want.”

“Why did the Cologne board interview me now? They could have just increased my buyout amount, as I said earlier.”

“I don’t know for sure, but one of the two is likely. One is that they are convinced that it is impossible to keep you. If you perform well in the World Cup and leave in the winter transfer market, Cologne will lose the core of the team without having time to make a reinforcement plan. And the range of players available in the winter is narrower than in the summer.”

“I understand. What else?”

“… … If there really is a financial hole. If you decide that you can’t fill it without getting rid of key players… … That makes sense.”

* * *

My first night back in Germany was not good in many ways.

The house was still quiet as if the experience in Korea had been a one-night dream, and the talk of transfer was never mentioned as if it were something from another world.

Mom was washing the dishes with a tired look on her face, and all she said was, “Are you home?”

After putting the kimchi and other food I brought in my bag in the refrigerator, I went into my room and unpacked my luggage. I helped my brother, who was groaning from fatigue, to the bed as best I could (he got irritated when I tried to stretch him) and ran away to the terrace next door.

As if things weren’t bad enough, I took out the matchbox hidden under the front door and lit the oil lamp, but… … Uncle Gunther didn’t show up.

I wonder if he went to Munich where his son is.

Usually, he would disappear for a couple of months in April or May, but this year, he seemed late. Why would he leave at a time like this?

I felt regretful and went back to my room to sleep, but my condition was even worse the next day. There was nothing I could do about the fact that I was groaning all morning.

I felt a tingling sensation all over my body due to the aftereffects of the flight.

But a promise is a promise, so in the evening, I got into the car that arrived in front of my house and headed to the center of Cologne.

The destination is a five-story white hotel behind the Cologne Cathedral.

The windows have cross-shaped window frames, and the stone walls on the outside are wrinkled here and there, giving off an antique feel. When I got out of the car and stood in front of the revolving door that said [Excelsior], Alex Pasek was already there waiting.

“hi.”

“Umm, good afternoon… I hope it will be.”

“… … .”

“Shall we go up?”

Are you late for your appointment?

I glance at the wall clock in the lounge with an expression that seems too dark to pass up. There are still ten minutes left until 12 o’clock, the appointed time.

Then, while riding the elevator up to the restaurant floor, the agent who had been maintaining silence finally opens his mouth.

“Hansei Steube is a fine-dining restaurant specializing in French cuisine. It’s a Michelin-starred restaurant.”

“This is my first time at a Michelin restaurant.”

“Yes. Since you’re meeting none other than Werner Wolf, you deserve this level of hospitality. But just so you know… … it’s not a very good place for Cologne players.”

“… …Why? You said it was a good restaurant.”

“Well, yes, the restaurant is good. But everyone who invited me to this place had the same reason. I heard that he came with Antoni Modeste at the end of July, and Sali Ozcan came with him at the beginning of August.”

“… … .”

“Just so you know. Just for reference. I might have guessed the wrong thing.”

I suddenly came to my senses at the unexpected warning.

Slurp.

Then, all of a sudden, the elevator door opens and a restaurant scene appears before your eyes. The walls, ceiling, tables, and chairs are all dark brown. White tablecloths are covered here and there, and the floor is covered in a mess of white nightie patterns on a blue background.

A pot filled with baby’s breath, a large picture frame with a painting, tables full of customers, and staff busily moving between them.

As expected from a Michelin restaurant, it was luxurious, but perhaps because I had already heard the warning, it didn’t feel fancy.

There are too many things to look back on to enjoy leisurely.

Alex Pasek will tell the story, so I’ll just keep quiet.

Even if you do speak out, keep in mind that there are many ears listening.

Never, ever, ever mention the transfer story directly, etc.

What this meant was that you shouldn’t forget that the old man (I know this is a rude expression, but I hope you’ll forgive me) who raises his hand slightly with a friendly smile at the four-person table in the middle of the restaurant is a scary person.

“We’re late.”

“No, it’s just in time.”

The beginning of a war of nerves… … is absent.

The service was so quick. As soon as we sat down, our glasses were filled with water and a menu was placed in front of each of us.

“Could you please give me a brief explanation of the menu?”

“Ja.”

By my standards, there are only two gentlemen.

The staff’s explanation was extremely lengthy.

Chicory and lettuce for vegetarians, Bouvray Classic.

Montagne Cru with Scallops, Kale, Vidalia Onions and Green Apple.

European lobster with beurre blanc, carrots and garlic, whatever.

If it’s lobster, it’s lobster. What is European lobster? Are there also Asian lobsters and American lobsters?

But any complaints about the lengthy explanations quickly subside when you check the numbers hanging at the end of the menu.

“Ouch.”

“……hmm?”

“It’s nothing. Uh… … What is this, wine pairing?”

“Wine that matches the food-”

What are you talking about?

A six-course meal costs 149 euros. That’s over 200,000 won in Korean currency, and the wine costs an additional 92 euros?

I stuck my tongue out at the absurd emotion for a moment.

I follow along as best I can.

Starters, soups, kale-seasoned dishes, main courses, desserts, and cheeses. It wasn’t a fancy restaurant, but it wasn’t all that awkward because I was dragged around by Claudia.

and.

Clink clink.

While I was devouring the pre-meal bread, a full-fledged conversation began.

“How’s the agency doing these days? It’s the height of the season, so it’s probably quiet.”

“Yeah, well. I was really busy in July and August, but then in September I had some things to do after transferring, so I was moderately busy, and I thought things would get a little better now… … But, man. I think I’ll be busy again? Hahahaha.”

“Heh heh heh.”

A sharp war of nerves.

It was the perfect place to check out.