Chapter 10

10. Strengthening the Team (2)

"Think about it."

-Yeah, I understand. It must have been sudden. Think about it and get back to me.

Beep.

Looking at the disconnected call, Kwon Myungho's expression hardened.

"K League..."

He had not been blind to the feeling that he was falling behind in the competition in Europe with each transfer. He had not entirely dismissed the idea of returning to the domestic league. However, the desire to play in European leagues for as long as possible had held him back.

"Is it that I can no longer make it in Europe?"

Many things had changed. The European clubs that had been eager to sign him, calling him the Asian Marcelo, were nowhere to be found, and he had become a journeyman, moving from club to club.

At first, coaches had tried to find ways to utilize him, making him play as a winger and trying various other positions, but before long, he found himself on the bench.

As a result, he naturally became more distant from the national team, and he worked even harder to turn the situation around.

He was the first to arrive at the training ground and the last to leave, repeating this cycle day after day. He lived a life busier than anyone else, putting in more effort than anyone could ask for.

What was the problem?

He had been refused a contract renewal at Borussia, and now he had to find a new team again.

He sighed and shook his head.

"I have to play."

A player who can't play is meaningless. Even if it's not in Europe, he had to play. He felt grateful to Ha Jun, who had contacted him first, but there was one issue.

"K2 League...?"

Not the top division, but the second division. Even though he had struggled in Europe, returning to the second division of the domestic league was not an easy decision to make. He had the confidence that if he returned to the domestic league, he could dominate the top division.

Indeed, many European players had returned to the domestic league and shown top-tier skills, so his thoughts were not entirely unfounded.

"Seoul."

Considering Ha Jun's initiative in reaching out to him, he started searching for Seoul United on the internet. Even if it was the second division, if the team's vision was promising, he could consider a transfer.

"They were relegated last season."

Reading that the team had not won a single match in the first eight rounds under the previous coach, Jung In-woo, and had finished at the bottom of the league, he clicked his tongue and continued scrolling.

"Since Ha Jun took over as interim coach... 11 matches, 7 wins, 4 draws?"

He opened his mouth wide in surprise as he looked at the screen. Was it possible to transform a team that seemed to have forgotten how to win?

"Isn't that something only great managers can do?"

He knew about Ha Jun's tactical abilities and intelligence. Having played alongside him, he was well aware that Ha Jun possessed every talent in the world except for physical prowess.

"Still... Isn't this a bit too much?"

No matter how great his talent, football intelligence, and mind were, could they really have a 100% impact on transforming a team?

'What kind of magic did you use, Ha Jun?'

As he skimmed through articles and match videos, he wondered. It was an absurd thought, but could Ha Jun minimize his weaknesses and maximize his strengths?

"Huh... I guess I'm in a tight spot."

Before his transfer to Borussia, he wouldn't have thought this way. He would have been even more negative. European coaches couldn't cover his weaknesses, so why would Ha Jun be any different? But this time, it was different.

"One year."

One year was worth a try. His agent said that other European teams were not keen on his transfer. If he had to return to the domestic league, why not take a gamble on Ha Jun for a year?

"If this season doesn't work out, I'll transfer to another team."

With a relieved expression, he stood up and made a call.

Ring.

-Oh, Myungho. What's up? Did you find a team you want to join?

Listening to his agent's voice, he spoke.

"Seoul. Please proceed with negotiations with Seoul United."

* * *

Time passed, and it was mid-June.

Unlike the citizens who were buzzing with excitement over the World Cup, the training ground in Seoul was conducting its usual training.

Beep!

"You can't do that there! Are you not paying attention?"

"Sorry!"

The players, drenched in sweat, were running, and Ha Jun was coaching them one by one. This was a common sight at Seoul United's training ground, and Boller and Lee Su-hyuk were also watching, checking the players' conditions.

Despite the repetitive and detailed patterns they were practicing, not a single player showed any signs of frustration. Instead, they were more passionate, listening to Ha Jun as if his words were gospel.

They had realized that following Ha Jun's instructions would lead to victory.

"Wow. With the boss so passionate, I don't even have a chance to intervene."

"The players' physical condition is improving day by day. We can really expect a good season this time."

Although Boller and Lee Su-hyuk were saying different things, they both smiled, feeling that the current situation was not just good but excellent.

Beep!

"Training ends here. Stretch well and go home. That's all."

"Yes!"

"Please help the players with their cool-down exercises, Coach Boller and Coach Lee."

"Understood, Coach."

"Yes, boss."

After entrusting the players' post-training to Boller and Lee Su-hyuk, Ha Jun quickly walked to the shower room. He had to discuss transfers with the general manager in the evening, so he hurried.

Over the past month, Seoul United had undergone significant changes.

Regarding the players, Kwon Myungho, who had received Ha Jun's call, was in negotiations with Seoul and was almost certain to transfer. There were also major changes in the front office.

Specifically, the club's CEO and general manager, who had failed to identify the corruption of the previous coach and some coaches, had been replaced.

"Huh... Discussing player transfers over dinner. What a crazy idea."

After finishing his shower, Ha Jun took out a cigarette and spoke with irritation. Unlike himself, who was running around for player reinforcements, the new general manager from K Construction seemed rather relaxed, which irritated Ha Jun.

"Huh... What kind of dinner is this? Even here, he's playing corporate games."

Despite his complaints, Ha Jun had to head to the parking lot. To sign the player he wanted, he needed the general manager's cooperation.

Vroom.

"The car they provided is really nice. It would have been even better if they had provided a house. Sigh."

Although he was an interim coach, Ha Jun was given a sports sedan to maintain his dignity. He rarely showed a satisfied expression, but this car was one of the few things he appreciated from the club, given his love for cars from his European playing days.

After navigating through the heavy traffic in Seoul for over an hour, Ha Jun arrived at the Korean restaurant where the meeting was scheduled and entered the room that the general manager had reserved.

"Ah, come in, Coach Kim Ha Jun."

"Hello, General Manager."

The new general manager, who had come from the finance department of K Construction, emphasized rational budget management.

"Let's eat first. I ordered a recommended course since I didn't know what Coach Kim likes. Is it okay?"

"Ah, it's fine."

Ha Jun was speechless at the sight of the expensive dishes on the table. He couldn't understand how this person, who emphasized rational budget management, could afford such a meal.

'Rational my ass.'

As he ate, Ha Jun wished for a smooth transfer market this summer.

"Hmm, it's really delicious. How about it, Coach Kim?"

"It's delicious. The seasoning is just right, and the taste is clean and impressive."

Of course, it was a lie.

Since his teenage years, having lived in Europe with his father until he was fired from Mainz, Ha Jun had developed a preference for Western cuisine over Korean food.

"Hehe, I'm glad it suits your taste. Since we've had a good start, let's talk about business..."

Seeing the general manager start to discuss player transfers, Ha Jun's eyes lit up.

"First, we're almost done with the salary negotiations for Kwon Myungho. Regarding Adilson Jesus from Gyeongbuk, as requested by Coach Kim..."

Unable to find a suitable foreign player from the scouting report given by Jin Jung-hwan, Ha Jun had requested the transfer of Adilson Jesus from Gyeongbuk, and the club had agreed to try.

"Too expensive."

"Excuse me?"

"Adilson Jesus. When he joined Gyeongbuk, the transfer fee paid to Brazil was 500 million won. However, Gyeongbuk is asking for 1.8 billion won from us. That's more than three times the original price. Isn't that too expensive, Coach Kim? Am I wrong?"

Ha Jun was momentarily speechless.

1.8 billion won.

Of course, it was not a cheap amount, considering the scale of K2 League transfer fees. However, comparing the transfer fee from Brazil to the current value seemed problematic.

"General Manager, it's not a cheap amount, but Adilson is a player that even K1 teams are targeting, so he is very talented. He can be a valuable asset for our promotion. He is worth the investment."

"However, Coach Kim, I can't understand the threefold increase. Has he shown anything in the top division? I can't see this as rational at all."

Damn.

Ha Jun barely suppressed his rising anger. While it was true that simply calculating the numbers was not rational, what irritated him was that the general manager, who didn't understand how the football world worked, was talking about rationality while spending money freely in an expensive restaurant.

'Now that Jung In-woo is gone, this guy is rubbing me the wrong way.'

Ha Jun calmed himself and spoke.

"I understand that the club's transfer budget for this season is 3 billion won. Currently, the only players I've requested are Adilson and Kwon Myungho. While 1.8 billion won is expensive, it doesn't exceed the budget, right?"

Kwon Myungho, being a free agent, doesn't require a transfer fee. Only his salary needs to be increased. Therefore, using only the 1.8 billion won requested by Gyeongbuk for Adilson would not exceed the budget.

"Hmm... That's the thing. Unlike Coach Kim, I could lose my job if I misuse the club's budget. That's why I'm hesitant..."

'So that's the problem.'

Ha Jun felt a headache coming on. The transfer from K Construction to the club's front office was essentially a demotion. This meant the same for the current general manager.

In other words, the general manager needed rational budget management to ensure a smooth return to the company.

"General Manager."

Ha Jun had an idea. Whether rational or not, if the club, which was in a dire situation, achieved success by the end of the season and the credit was given to the general manager, it would work.

The general manager's goal was his own return to the company, not the club's success. This would be a good deal for him as well.

"Go on."

"If you proceed with Adilson's transfer, I guarantee that we will achieve promotion this season. I will also give interviews crediting the general manager for supporting us in every way to achieve promotion."

"Can you take responsibility for that?"

Seeing the general manager bite, Ha Jun nodded.

"If we don't achieve promotion, I will not only step down as interim coach but also resign as a coach. I'll put my neck on the line."