Chapter 5

5. Interim Manager? (3)

The players of Seoul United were getting used to the new tactics under Ha Jun's guidance.

Beep—!

"That's not it! In that situation, you need to cover that guy's space! If you stay like that, you'll get penetrated and concede a goal!"

"Sorry!"

The players shuddered at Ha Jun's stern demeanor, a complete 180-degree change from the kind coach he used to be. Of course, the two new coaches who were watching had a different take on it.

"Wow. Boss's fighting coaching! The players' eyes have changed in just two days?"

Boller marveled at the players, whose eyes had changed as they got used to the new patterns,

"Hmm. I need to check their physical condition again after training."

Lee Su-hyuk, the fitness coach, focused on physical issues, as befitting his role.

Thus, at the Seoul United training ground, two days before the 9th round of the league, Ha Jun's fighting voice echoed throughout.

Beep—!

Ha Jun blew the whistle to gather the players, and with a sly smile, he looked at each of them, drenched in sweat and panting.

"How about it? Frustrating, isn't it? Do you want to punch me in the face?"

"No!"

It seemed Ha Jun was trying to rile up the players, but this was a tactic he had seen Tuchel use when he played for Chelsea.

"Well, even if you want to, there's nothing you can do. You need to channel that frustration into your performance on the field. These dozens of patterns may seem frustrating and annoying now, but once you get used to them, they'll completely change your game."

Occasionally, there were players who understood the tactics so well that they could implement them on the field, but such players were rare.

That's why coaches who break down tactics emphasize patterns. Once players master various patterns, their bodies react instinctively, allowing them to handle sudden situations on the field safely.

"I don't expect you to be perfect in this 9th round match. But!"

The players were all focused on Ha Jun.

"At least I'm confident that you can surprise the fans with a different look! Can you do it?"

After finishing his speech with a sly smile, the players were enveloped in an inexplicable confidence and answered in a loud voice.

"Yes!"

"Good. That's it for today's training. Think about the patterns even at home. Dismissed!"

With that, the players left the training ground in small groups. After confirming that all the players had left, Ha Jun let out a long sigh and lay down on the grass.

"Haa..."

"Coach, why are you like this?"

Lee Su-hyuk, who was standing next to him, asked with a worried look, while Boller nodded in understanding.

"Why? I'm just worried."

Ha Jun, who had been confident in front of the players, knew better than anyone that the current situation was difficult.

Tactics.

In modern football, tactics are so important that they can be said to make up a large part of a team's strength. However, if the players can't properly implement the coach's tactics, it's all for nothing.

'Time is too short.'

It's short.

Too short.

In just two days, they would have to play a league match, but the players' movements were far from meeting Ha Jun's expectations.

In a way, it was natural. How could a team implement new tactics in less than a week after a change in management?

"Boss."

"Yes. What is it, Boller?"

Boller, who had been nodding silently, sat down next to Ha Jun, who was lying on the grass, and spoke.

"Like you said, our players won't be perfect in this match."

Boller's words, spoken calmly, made Ha Jun's heart sink even more.

'You don't need to remind me again.'

Whether Boller knew Ha Jun's feelings or not, he continued.

"But the players have changed a lot. I've only been with the team for two days, so I can be more objective. Compared to the team I saw in the video..."

Ha Jun sat up, seeing the fire in Boller's eyes.

"They look completely different. If the opponent thinks we're the same as before, I can guarantee we'll give them a big surprise."

Ha Jun couldn't help but smile at Boller's words. He, who was supposed to lead the coaches, was receiving encouragement from them. He immediately slapped his cheeks to regain his composure.

"Yes, you're right. They'll probably underestimate us. I was worrying for nothing. After all, the ball is round."

The ball is round.

Repeating this well-known saying in football, Ha Jun stood up from the grass.

"Besides, the 9th round is at our home ground, so we need to be more confident. Even a stray dog can win a fight at home!"

The two coaches smiled at Ha Jun's passionate demeanor.

* * *

"Hmm..."

I couldn't leave work, wrestling with the monitor until late at night, trying to adjust the starting lineup I had planned. The deeper I thought, the more I agonized.

"Haa... I thought it was the best choice."

Based on my insights this week, three players had shown their special characteristics.

Jeong Sang-gi, Franco Tramontana, and Shin Young-jun.

"Those three are fine, but..."

The problem was with the other players. During the tactical training for the 9th round, some of the players I intended to start with struggled to adapt to the tactics and performed poorly.

"The right wing-back is the issue. Hmm."

In the tactics I planned for this match, the right wing-back and winger needed to work together optimally.

The wing-back needed to make bold overlapping runs, and the winger needed to move into the center. If the timing was off, it could expose dangerous areas in the defense.

Franco, who was set to play on the right wing, was a versatile player who could play as an attacking midfielder and on the right side, showing agile movements. However, the right wing-back I had chosen was a problem.

"He can't read the timing at all."

Hong Jung-hyun, the initial choice for right wing-back, was a fast and bold dribbler but couldn't sync with the winger. He was more of a straight-ahead player.

"What did that guy do in such situations?"

Among the coaches I had worked with, the one with the highest class in terms of career and leadership was Thomas Tuchel.

I recalled his time at Chelsea to remember how he handled such situations. Like any team, Chelsea didn't always have the perfect player for each position and tactic.

During Tuchel's tenure, he must have faced the same dilemma.

In fact, the media often criticized his player selections, saying he made choices they hadn't considered.

"Hmm..."

As I sighed, a player suddenly came to mind.

"Jeong Chang-hoon! Right! Jeong Chang-hoon was there!"

Jeong Chang-hoon, a right winger who preferred the opposite foot, had never started under Coach Jeong In-woo, being overshadowed by Lee Tae-jun. With his fast speed and incredible crossing ability, which didn't seem to belong in the K2 League, Jeong Chang-hoon might be the best alternative for the right wing-back in this round.

Moreover, I had tried placing him in various right-side positions during training, and he showed promise.

"His sprinting ability is also good... The problem is his defensive skills..."

Fast pace and good crossing ability.

There was nothing wrong with the offensive skills a wing-back should have. However, Jeong Chang-hoon was a winger, and placing him as a wing-back, which requires defensive skills, was a bit ambiguous.

He had shown good performance in various right-side positions, but one thing was nagging me.

"Can he perform without defensive mistakes in a real match?"

If he could show the same performance as in training, shifting Jeong Chang-hoon would be a good move, but if he showed the opposite...

"He could become the source of our goals conceded on that day, along with the worst move."

In this ambiguous situation, I couldn't make a decision easily.

Then, a scene flashed through my mind.

"Hey, Chang-hoon! You're good at defensive positioning too?"

"Ah, captain. Actually, in middle school, I also played as a right full-back. The coach at the time said that since my style was close to a classic winger, playing as a full-back wouldn't be bad."

Nice.

If he had experience playing as a defensive player, there was no need to worry further. Of course, there was no guarantee he would perform well in a position he played in the past, but in terms of tactical movement, Jeong Chang-hoon showed twice as much promise as Hong Jung-hyun.

"Wow. I didn't expect the middle school coach's insight to be so helpful!"

In the modern football trend where inside forwards and inverted wingers are prevalent, the middle school coach must have made arrangements for a classic winger like Jeong Chang-hoon.

It's not for nothing that people say Beckham would have excelled as a right wing-back if he were a player today.

"The starting lineup is good enough... Is the interview tomorrow?"

My first pre-match interview as an interim manager was scheduled for tomorrow. I had dealt with many journalists as a player, but this would be my first interview as a team leader, so I needed to be composed...

I had no such intention.

If they wanted to provoke me,

I would clearly explain why Tuchel called me a crazy dog.

* * *

Click!

Click!

The flashing lights were blinding, but I kept my eyes wide open and sat in the media room. This was my first pre-match interview as a coach in Korea, and I didn't want to seem like I was giving up by closing my eyes.

"Coach Kim Ha-jun! Although you are an interim manager, you have set a new record as the youngest manager in K League history. How do you feel about that?"

Surprisingly, the first question was not about the previous coach, Jeong In-woo, but about my new record as the youngest manager.

"I am grateful to have set a groundbreaking record in league history. I plan to lead the team to the best of my abilities to avoid disappointing the club."

A smooth answer. If the journalists don't attack, there's no need to go crazy. I am a reasonable person.

However, as if reading my mind, the next questions from the journalists were a bit more aggressive.

"Some people criticize this as an irresponsible appointment, saying that it's too much to give such a heavy responsibility to a rookie coach with no managerial experience. What do you think about that?"

Ugh.

They didn't need to bring up such public opinion.

"I understand those concerns. I would have thought the same. However, I plan to reduce this risk by introducing the tactical methods I learned in Europe."

"Are you saying that Korean football is far inferior to European football? Your statement seems too servile. Even if you played professionally in Europe and obtained a license, such a statement seems excessive."

It began. The bait to create a sensational article. I could have let it slide, but I couldn't stand such nonsense, whether as a player or now.

"Your inference is excessive, sir. I didn't say it was inferior... It's true that our football is behind theirs. To improve, we need to acknowledge the current situation. How long will we cling to the World Cup semifinals and Olympic bronze medal, avoiding reality?"

To improve, we must first accept reality. Talking about our high level while remembering past glories won't change anything.

"Your statement could be controversial. Can you take responsibility for it?"

Responsibility.

They start the fire and ask me to take the blame.

"I'll show you through the 9th round match. As you know, domestic football must improve for the national team to progress. I'll show you how I can change the league's landscape."