NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35
I began to make plans while talking with Mino Raiola.
“Jinho, you know it’s not easy for Manchester United to accept the conditions you proposed, right?”
Mino Raiola said that for Manchester United to accommodate my demands, they would need to build the team around me like Lionel Messi.
“First, show your skills while playing for Dortmund.”
I nodded. Of course.
Even if I could inject some influence through the contract, having basic skills was a prerequisite.
“And after transferring to Manchester United, gradually expand your influence in the locker room. Ferguson is getting old, and he will probably retire someday, right? When he retires, you can…”
Well, Ferguson declared his retirement after winning the league in the 12/13 season, so it’s not too far off.
‘Maybe in two seasons?’
It seemed my expressions showed impatience, as I thought Manchester United would soon evolve into a dark era.
“Jinho, I don’t know what’s making you impatient, but you’re still young. Think long-term.”
Hearing Mino Raiola’s words helped me calm my anxious heart.
After taking a few deep breaths, various thoughts circulated in my mind.
How could I lift the Big Ear with Manchester United?
First, the Glazer Family would have to give up their naïve mindset of protecting the team from the filthy oil money of Qatar.
This wasn’t something I could do anything about.
So, I wanted to exert some influence over transfers, but that didn’t seem easy either.
Then, I should at least ensure a good manager is appointed.
Could someone like Pep or Klopp change things for the club…?
Ah, and by the way, I excluded Tuchel from consideration.
Tuchel was likely to curse out the board within six months and quit or get fired.
“By the way, Jinho, are you planning to give up your benefits when you transfer to Manchester United?”
I shook my head at Mino Raiola’s question.
Generally, from the club’s perspective, it’s better to buy players cheaply and offer low weekly wages for strengthening the squad.
But let’s not forget.
Manchester United isn’t an ordinary club.
Just because I transfer cheaply and cut my wages, will the leftover money be reinvested into the club?
I don’t think so.
The Glazer Family would probably hoard the saved cash for dividends, right?
If they were thinking of investing in football, they would have upgraded the outdated training facilities or youth development programs first.
And most importantly, transferring with low fees and wages wouldn’t be good for me either.
I had yet to experience the EPL stage, and various issues might arise during the adaptation process.
I’m confident in my skills, but football is a team sport, isn’t it?
If problems occurred during my adaptation period…
The only way for the manager and the director to utilize me would be through a high transfer fee and wages.
“No, I have no intention of doing that at all.”
Anyway, since I mostly agreed with Mino Raiola without objections, the atmosphere of our conversation became a bit softer.
We talked about various topics, and when Mino mentioned Erling Haaland, I asked about him.
“Is this Erling Haaland guy really that good?”
“He’s young but already being called a monster physically. He broke the world record for long jump in the Dynamo jump event at just five years old!”
“Oh… But how do you know Erling Haaland? He’s only ten years old, right?”
“Hehe… I had a connection with Erling’s father, Alfie Haaland. Alfie could see his son’s talent was exceptional, but he couldn’t judge it accurately. So he invited me to their home, and during that time, at Alfie’s request, I watched Erling play football, and even at such a young age, he held his own in physical battles with older kids, which was really impressive.”
Hearing Mino Raiola’s words, I nodded.
Come to think of it, I remembered Alfie Haaland posting a similar story on social media when Mino Raiola passed away.
I recalled that Mino Raiola died 13 years later due to a lung disease.
“Um… Any thoughts on quitting smoking or exercising?”
I cautiously asked while looking at Mino Raiola. Being over 130 kg and a known chain smoker with lung issues raised my health concerns.
“Oh~ Jinho! You too?”
“This isn’t a matter to joke about…”
“Jinho, I’m perfectly healthy.”
But Mino Raiola shook his head firmly, and his resolute refusal made me hesitate to suggest anything further.
*
After signing with the super agent Mino Raiola, it was only a short while before the SBK film crew arrived in Dortmund, Germany.
“Damn it! If I had negotiated, I could have secured at least ten times more in appearance fees!”
Mino Raiola lightly expressed his disappointment over signing a cheap broadcasting contract and quickly departed.
He shouldn’t take away the attention from his clients, huh?
Well… Anyway.
“Hello! How have you been, PD?”
I greeted PD Kim Hyun-deok, who had a kind impression.
“Oh! Player Son Jinho! I watched your AFC U19 Championship match. Congratulations on becoming the top scorer and tournament MVP!”
PD Kim Hyun-deok welcomed me with a bright smile. Unlike Gi-hyun Choi, just seeing his face raised my likability.
“Oh my, it’s been a while, PD!”
As they say, speak of the devil, and Gi-hyun Choi came running from afar.
Former coach and guardian, It’s Me! Choi Gi-hyun had agreed to help with this SBK entertainment shoot.
“Oh! I’ve heard about Coach Choi! He said you came to Germany for your student’s success, right?”
PD Kim Hyun-deok greeted Gi-hyun Choi with a bright smile as well. A truly admirable character.
“Heh, well… the association and Jinho both need me, so of course, I should come along.”
Me? When?
Looking at Gi-hyun Choi with an incredulous expression at such absurd rumors, I could see him desperately blinking his eyes.
I sighed and nodded, and PD Kim Hyun-deok’s eyes sparkled.
Is that what they call a moment of professionalism?
Indeed, it was a great story filled with the romance of this era.
“PD!”
“Oh! Just a moment!”
A staff member called out to PD Kim Hyun-deok, who apologized to us before quickly disappearing to manage the filming location.
“…Is everything done?”
I asked Gi-hyun Choi.
“Of course. I discovered I’m better at paperwork than I thought!”
I couldn’t help but let out an exclamation at Gi-hyun Choi’s words.
Just a day before, I had thought about how he would manage all that paperwork.
And he finished it in just a day?
Even a lazy worm has its skills, they say.
Gi-hyun Choi, you were more capable than I had expected!
I realized I should never judge a person by just one aspect, and I reflected deeply on rediscovering Gi-hyun Choi.
“Alright, we’re starting the shoot!”
While I was chatting with Gi-hyun Choi, the preparations for filming were complete.
“Just act as if there are no cameras and show your everyday life!”
The official shooting began.
*
‘…Is there anything worth broadcasting? Ah, I don’t know. The PD looks cheerful, so it must be going well.’
Days passed since filming began, and when the camera, which initially felt awkward, started feeling familiar, the break period assigned by Dortmund came to an end.
I finished my school classes and headed to the Brakel Training Center in Dortmund.
“Guten Tag, Ralph.”
I greeted Ralph, the manager of the training ground, in now somewhat proficient German.
“Guten Tag. Oh, your pronunciation has improved a lot!”
I smiled at Ralph, who gave me a thumbs up.
After all, I hadn’t given up on studying German while participating in the AFC U19 Championship.
It would be a shame if my skills didn’t improve.
“Jino!! Long time no see!”
As I entered the training ground, I saw kids welcoming me.
There were some younger kids mixed in with the U19 team, and since I was a somewhat unfamiliar Asian in the training ground, I was getting a lot of attention.
“By the way, what’s with those cameras?”
“I told you last time, a filming crew from Korea is coming.”
“Oooo─! Jino! Superstar!”
Chatting with the kids I met at the entrance of the training ground, as I entered the Dortmund U19 training ground, I spotted Antonio Rüdiger seriously digging into the grass on the field.
Despite controversies regarding his character and tea-bagging, there was no denying he was one of the world’s best center-backs in terms of skill.
Dortmund recognized the talent Rüdiger possessed, which is why he was in the U19 team at just 17 years old.
Well… even if he had talent, he was still just a promising player, showing evident weaknesses here and there.
“Tony (Rüdiger’s nickname), what are you doing?”
“Digging up the grass?”
Even then, he had that peculiar goofiness he had possessed since childhood, which made him somewhat entertaining.
“Digging up the grass? Why?”
“I’ve been analyzing the attacking patterns of our team’s forwards, you know? If I dig this area, there’s a high chance the forwards will trip when they step on it. It’s a traditional trap.”
Antonio Rüdiger diligently set up his trap, only to stumble over it during a subsequent practice match, leading to a goal being scored against us, which was perfectly caught on camera.