Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 184



Only Krnovel

Episode 184: The place where the conclusion is decided

Alex Pasek nods, pretending to listen to what’s being said across the table, while simultaneously mentally processing the whole process.

“You’ve been doing really well this season. I’m just grateful to Hanul. 3 goals and 5 assists, right? You’ve got more assists than last season.”

“… … That’s right.”

The words that are well-decorated are incredibly sweet, but among the various adjectives… … there is no substance.

It wasn’t unexpected.

The player himself thought that the club would apologize or make excuses, or that ‘if they had a conscience, they would at least come out with a financial report and make a fuss’, but reality is always harsh.

A round jawline, blunt nostrils, and wide open lips.

There is no sign of self-reproach on the face of the elderly man who sits as the president of FC Köln.

That would be the case-

‘Because I’ve already achieved my goal.’

It was a public dining setting, a hotel restaurant. It was strange that the meeting was not leaked, especially since the parties involved were Chairman Cologne and Sung Ha-neul.

Surely by the end of this hour, or before I even get up from my seat, news articles will be streaming out one after another.

The title [Discussion on Transfer] would be quite polite, the words [Transfer Agreement] would be common, and [Notice of Release] is not an impossible sentence either.

Yeah, he knew.

What kind of picture does the opponent want and how far they are willing to go to recoup the transfer fee for a young player who is only 17 years old this year.

But still he came.

To show younger audiences how the professional stage works.

To show that reality isn’t always romantic.

“Thanks to you, I was very happy last year and this year too.”

“Me too.”

That is precisely why I do not attack by nitpicking.

Why was it ‘happy’ and not ‘not happy’, why did they call everyone to a restaurant that everyone knows the ‘meaning’ of, and what team and transfer-related words they matched, etc.

Continue the appropriate war of nerves, but respond more gently so as not to ruin the meal.

“I really enjoyed hearing complaints whenever I went to away games. Sometimes I had the chance to meet the president of the opposing team. Every time, he would grumble, saying, “Isn’t this unfair?” and “What did you do to the youth team to discover such a player?” He would also throw tantrums, asking to be sent to his own team. But what he said was true, right? Hanul would do well wherever he went.”

“… … Yes. I think so too. He hasn’t been playing in Cologne for very long, but he has shown remarkable growth in a short period of time. Last year was like that, and this season… … he’s doing even better than last year. As an agent and as a fan, I have high expectations.”

“You too?”

“Of course. The World Cup will be held in two months. Just imagining that time makes my heart race.”

“Heh heh.”

Of course, it doesn’t just match everything.

If I did that, the boy sitting next to me would lose patience and start interfering. It would have been right to express it indirectly to some extent.

“And I personally would like to thank the club as well.”

“Hmm, really?”

“Yes. There are often clubs that try to sell off young players before they can bloom, rather than protecting them, but the coaching staff, including Steffen Baumgart, have been very considerate.”

“… … Heh heh heh.”

In other words, I’m grateful to the staff, but not to you.

Let me add one more thing here –

“That’s actually how professional clubs are these days. They prefer to pass the blame to the players rather than take responsibility. They say it’s a unilateral decision, a betrayal of the team, or that there’s nothing we can do about it. Cologne is not that kind of club. Seriously, I know. I’ve been working with Jonas for several years.”

“… … .”

“In addition, the loyalty of the fan club is special. Aren’t they fans who are strong-willed? Do you remember the year before last? When the team’s performance was not good, they didn’t like the way the next season was reorganized – they set off a fire near the training ground and were punished by the DFB (German Football Association)… … .”

“That story is over. My head hurts just thinking about it.”

“Um, it happened in the past so I didn’t realize it. It was a joke… … I apologize if you felt offended.”

In a formal yet false apology, the fork that had been in the plate falls back onto the table.

Werner Wolf also understood.

It may not be possible to stop the club from pursuing a transfer, but don’t even think about blaming the player.

The two people’s eyes met and sparks flew for a moment.

The old man once again shows a good-natured smile and chooses to give in a step.

“Hahaha, I don’t mind apologizing. I just had a headache. Wasn’t that a tough time?”

“That’s true. But this season has been excellent. Cologne’s mid- to long-term plan has been a success.”

“It’s still lacking, but ok. If you look at it that way, I’m grateful.”

A place for business. Since the team’s ace is sent for business, he accepts the other party’s request for business.

Anyway, it wasn’t a clause specified in the contract, so there was no reason to blush.

Clink clink.

And just like that, time passes quickly.

As the plate changes, the colors red and green, yellow and black, orange and beige alternate on it to please the eyes of the diners.

Chicory swirls around neatly arranged lettuces, while torched citrus slices and macadamia nuts fill the empty spaces with color.

An appetizer packed with color and texture.

The main course is steak, a piece of meat placed in the center of a large plate, crowned with lime, grilled mushrooms, creamy beige sauce and truffle flakes.

But at the same time, the agreed peace is soon broken because for some, this is not a place to go for gastronomy or just to fill their bellies.

“… … So what’s the conclusion? Are you telling me to leave?”

“… … .”

The moment the waiter brought eight kinds of chocolate neatly arranged on a wooden board and asked them to choose a dessert, Seong Ha-neul opened his mouth, unable to hold it in any longer.

“No, we’re not some windmill. How long do we have to keep talking? This isn’t a place where you can just have a meal.”

“… … .”

“Let me say it again. So what’s the bottom line?”

“Hanul, it’s not that simple.”

As Alex Pasek watched quietly, Werner Wolf responded with a tone that sounded like he was urging him on. Seong Ha-neul… … blurted out in his own way.

“It’s simple. No, it has to be simple. The problem is simple. You, don’t you have money? Are we a club of debtors?”

“… … .”

“If you’re going to ask me to leave, you should say so clearly. Isn’t that the least you can do? Am I being weird? Am I being overly rude?”

* * *

The first day of October, around 3pm.

I warm up in the middle of the Rhein-Energie-Stadion ahead of the 8th round of the Bundesliga.

Guarding the goal is goalkeeper Marvin Schwabe, who has been a regular player this season.

It is a very good thing that Timo Horn, who was close to Anthony Modeste, was pushed out, but I can’t help but laugh when I think about the reality I faced.

Boom! Bam!

[Yes~!]

“… … So how did you react?”

“Your face is turning bright red.”

“That’s obvious. What I mean is, what was your answer?”

Just after he adjusted the zero point and slid the ball into the upper left corner of the goal, he answered Mark Ut’s question as if it were nothing.

“… … Before I could answer, the other party said, ‘This is business’ and ‘The club has unavoidable circumstances’ and that they had no choice but to push forward with the transfer.”

“Did you agree with that answer?”

“I am-”

“No, no. I can’t believe that. I’ll ask again. How did you upset that old man?”

“… … .”

“Tell me quickly. I’m waiting. I’m anticipating. My eyes are shining brightly.”

What is that shining brightly?

Still, you pointed it out well.

“Then I said I couldn’t help it.”

“That’s not all.”

“… … That’s right. I screamed that I was going to go as a free agent.”

“Free transfer? After completing another year and a half? Without receiving a single penny in transfer fee?”

“huh.”

“… … Wow, that gentleman’s expression must have been quite something to see.”

Indeed, that was the case.

Until then, he seemed to have managed to hold on to his sanity, but as soon as FA was mentioned, he threw away all his food and drinks and started wagging his tongue.

“Then? What did you say?”

“What can I say, it’s just… … They were talking about this and that about finances. Just two years ago, Cologne was on the verge of relegation, and their finances are at the bottom of the Bundesliga. If they want to keep the team members, they’ll either have to do well in the Champions League and earn a lot of prize money, or drastically reduce the size of their youth team.”

“… … .”

“But he said that this whole process is not sustainable. If we reduce the youth team, the future of the team will disappear… … He asked me if I would stay in Cologne forever.”

“That’s… … ugh, that’s fucking realistic.”

right.

If I had a conscience, I could not continue to be so strong when an old man with the title of chairman (although he was dressed in a suit and acted as he pleased without my consent) spoke passionately about the future of Cologne.

And Mark Utt too… … is soberingly realistic.

“So the goal is 10-10?”

“what?”

“I think I can’t avoid leaving in the winter. Even if I have to leave after just half a season… … I have to get at least 10 goals and 10 assists before I leave. If I can, it would be even better if I can make it to the Champions League Round of 16. If I just get points in the group stage, I’ll make it to the Round of 16 next February. What do you think?”

It’s so simple.

But for the first time in a while, he seemed like an adult. While the other players were watching my every move and didn’t even bother to join in on the conversation, he was so honest and straightforward that it almost seemed like he was crazy.

“… … Then we’ll have to pull it tight. Didn’t the league schedule change because of the World Cup?”

“That’s right. The first half of the season ends with 15 rounds. It should be finished by early November. So is that okay or not?”

“There is nothing that I cannot do.”

“Then you’re going to chew up Gyeonggi-do today?”

“of course.”

Within, Mark Ut is nodding to the opposing camp and smiling mischievously.

It’s easy to see what it means.

[Hey, hey, BVB!]

[Black and yellow are our colors!]

[Black and yellow are our pride!]

[We all sing because we want you to win.]

[Borussia~Our pride!]

The opponent in the 8th round is Borussia Dortmund.

Jude Bellingham, Julian Brandt, Emre Can and Thorgan Hazard are some of the players who are known to fart a lot in the league.

In the center of it all, a familiar-looking figure comes into view.

One is Sali Ozkan.

The other one was Anthony Modeste, who was called the gorilla and the gorilla.

At least today was the day I had to make them regret leaving.

Ironically, that’s what happened.