Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 180

< Keeping Watch >

Being a soccer manager isn’t really a job for someone with a normal personality.

It’s a profession dominated by people who are either eccentric or just plain weird, and it’s also a profession where those kinds of people tend to excel.

Among the diverse personalities of managers, Manchester City’s manager, Jose Ernesto, was widely known as a ‘perfectionist.’

Players and staff who had worked with Ernesto said that he was obsessed with details to the point of being pathological.

Manager Ernesto was someone who needed everything, from A to Z, to be perfect.

This was also Ernesto’s last chance.

Johan Van, whom he had first seen in the match against West Ham last season, had captivated Ernesto instantly.

Ernesto had been so smitten at first sight that he relentlessly badgered the club’s front office to get him.

To Ernesto, who pursued perfection, Johan was like a masterpiece.

If he could somehow make him Manchester City’s top striker, he could complete his vision.

He felt like he could finally relax.

Because that alone would make the team perfect.

Johan, who could bring out the best in the team’s current good resources and receive support from them, was Ernesto’s last wish.

‘If only I hadn’t known.’

Ernesto resented the very emergence of Johan Van.

Because after seeing him, no other striker caught his eye.

The same was true of Stefan Granach, the current striker he had brought in as Johan’s alternative.

If he hadn’t known of Johan’s existence, Ernesto would have been satisfied with Granach.

However, having already seen the ideal that was Johan,

Ernesto’s perfectionism could not be satisfied by Granach.

If only he hadn’t known Johan.

In any case, Manager Ernesto was still unable to let go of his lingering feelings for Johan.

When this season ended and summer arrived, Ernesto was planning to ask the front office again.

To push for Johan’s acquisition.

To mobilize all available funds and make the biggest deal in history.

But that was only possible if West Ham failed to win the league.

If West Ham won, Johan would retire.

In that case, the opportunity to see Johan as his player would be lost forever.

Of course, even if West Ham didn’t win or Johan didn’t retire, it was uncertain whether he could bring him in.

If you only consider the possibilities, the chances were very low.

Because the previous offers he had made several times were not low in price.

He had offered astronomical sums and very unconventional terms.

If that offer had been accepted, the biggest deal in history would have already been made.

But Johan seemed to be more interested in other things than that.

Ernesto even liked that.

Although it made it difficult to bring him to his team, the conviction he held was full of romance.

That was really cool.

Maybe he wanted him more because he couldn’t have him easily.

Anyway.

In the end, he had to win.

He knew it wouldn’t be easy.

That’s why he even went so far as to join forces with the Manchester United manager.

Having gone this far, he had to win no matter what.

He had to.

…

“Hoo.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, you startled me. Dad?”

“Are you awake?”

“Yeah. Aren’t you sleeping?”

“I woke up in the middle of the night too.”

In the dark early morning.

Lohan, who had come out to the kitchen to get a glass of water after waking up from sleep, sighed when he saw Ban Seok-ho already sipping beer.

‘As expected, Dad can’t sleep easily either.’

Lohan picked up a cup and sat next to Ban Seok-ho.

“Give me a glass too.”

“This is a secret from your mother.”

“Of course.”

“Then, wait a minute. I’ll make you a salad.”

“It’s okay. What if Mom wakes up?”

“That’s true. Then, let’s just have a simple drink and go back in.”

“Okay.”

After pouring beer into each other’s glasses, they carefully toasted and then took a cool sip.

“Ah…”

Maybe it’s because I just woke up.

I feel a slight daze just from drinking a glass of beer.

“I feel a little better. To be honest, I was so nervous that I couldn’t sleep.”

“Me too.”

The reason why both of them were doing this in the early morning was obvious.

The game against Manchester City tomorrow.

If West Ham wins that game, the team will clinch the league title.

That also means that Johan’s retirement is confirmed.

“It’s been short, but there have been many things.”

“There have been many things. I still vividly remember Johan walking onto the pitch for the tryout.”

“I also remember him getting 2 goals and 2 assists in his league debut.”

“The first hat trick against Liverpool.”

“Being selected for the national team and single-handedly destroying the Italian defenders.”

“Beating Manchester City for the first time.”

“Winning the FA Cup [Football Association Challenge Cup].”

“Winning the Golden Boot [award for top scorer] with a record number of goals.”

“Winning the Euros [European Championship] while scoring in every game.”

“Winning the Ballon d’Or [annual football award].”

Lohan and Ban Seok-ho laugh as they talk about Johan’s journey as if they were competing with each other.

It’s hard to believe that all of these things happened in just the past two years.

Really short and impactful.

It would take several years for even a top-class player to build this kind of career.

“What if Johan played for just three more years?”

“It’s simple. Five Ballon d’Or awards.”

“Wouldn’t he win the league about three times and the Champions League about twice?”

“He’d be more than capable of winning the Euros twice, and if he does well, he might even win the World Cup.”

“There’s never been a player with this kind of career, has there?”

“No.”

“Then, could Johan be ranked as the greatest of all time?”

“Why not?”

The two laugh as they imagine pleasant things.

Just thinking about it makes them smile.

It seems more enjoyable than just a far-fetched fantasy.

Because Johan has actually done things that are far more amazing than these imaginations.

“But…”

“That’s not going to happen.”

But, in another sense, it’s also a fantasy.

Because Johan won’t be playing for three more years.

“He’s worked hard.”

“I know. I know it well. I know how stubborn I was to make him play soccer. But he didn’t want to, but he came this far. I know how hard he’s working.”

Johan has already worked hard enough.

To the point where I feel sorry for him.

Lohan and Ban Seok-ho both knew it.

So, they feel sorry for even having these imaginations.

Johan has made the prestige of the Ban family, a famous soccer family, the best in the world, and he has already done everything he can.

“I hope we win. I really want to see Johan win the championship.”

“We will. We will. I don’t think West Ham with Johan will lose.”

Lohan and Ban Seok-ho nod.

“We’ll be happy for him.”

“Of course.”

If West Ham wins tomorrow and confirms the championship,

Lohan and Ban Seok-ho were ready to be overjoyed.

…

“Gate 13 is requesting reinforcements. Some hooligans [rowdy fans] are pushing in aggressively. Ordinary spectators are also entering through them.”

“Ha, damn it. I understand.”

May 5th, London Stadium.

Most of the police near Stratford were deployed to the stadium because of one game being held here today.

Because a huge crowd was expected.

Sure enough.

The tickets were already sold out, but the security personnel were running out of manpower because of the crazy people who were trying to get into the stadium by any means possible.

“Catch those bastards!”

“Block them!”

In fact, ordinary fans are not the problem.

It’s a headache when they flock together, but more important than them are the ringleaders.

The guys called hooligans.

We have to catch those guys first.

“Catch all the guys with hoods on!”

It’s like this from the start, what will happen if we win the championship?

I’ll be working all night.

It seemed like today would be a eventful day for the police.

*

While the outside of the stadium was in chaos, Ban Seok-ho and Lohan were sitting comfortably in the VIP seats, waiting for the game to begin.

“I’m a little nervous.”

“I didn’t sleep well either.”

“Because it’s the day we’ve been waiting for so long.”

McManaman, one of the owners sitting next to him, speaks to Ban Seok-ho.

As he said, it’s the day we’ve been waiting for so long.

Of course, there was a time when I wished this day wouldn’t come, but not now.

“Has your son’s mind changed?”

“I don’t know, but I’m going to respect whatever he does.”

“…That’s right.”

McManaman clicks his tongue as if he’s disappointed.

It would be a lie if he said he wasn’t disappointed.

No, it’s almost a pity.

Johan was the club’s best star since its founding.

He’s also a star with a bright future, who can easily take responsibility for the next 10 years or more.

Losing such a franchise star is really painful.

In terms of future revenue and team performance.

But, apart from that.

Isn’t the profit already gained thanks to Johan so great?

It was an unimaginable surprise gift.

It’s just greed to be more greedy here.

“Let’s enjoy it. Because today will be the most important day in our club’s history.”

“That’s right.”

McManaman and Ban Seok-ho nodded and stood up.

The sporadic applause that started in various parts of the stands is now filling the stadium.

“The players are entering!”

The official capacity of the London Stadium is 60,000.

However,

The players were entering the ground with a huge applause that seemed to be more than 70,000, let alone 60,000.

*

West Ham had all of their starting players in the starting lineup.

Jeff Hurrichel wore the goalkeeper gloves,

Danny Guimarães and Shay Bellamy form the center back duo.

Martin Petrovic at left back, Michael Jenkinson at right back.

Tim Gordon is the volante [defensive midfielder] protecting the back four, and Daniele Capello stands as his partner.

Jonathan Nathan and Jacob Buckley play on the left and right wings, and Joshua Bailey is located in the striker position.

And,

-Number Nine, Johan!

“Vaaaaaaan-!”

Johan stands tall at the forefront.

The shouts of fans chanting Johan’s name fill the London Stadium.

“…”

Ban Seok-ho recalled Johan’s debut match.

That day, when Johan’s name was called during the player introduction time like now.

I still vividly remember the reactions of the spectators sitting around me.

“Who’s that?”

“I don’t know. I guess he’s a youth player sent out to gain experience.”

“Oh. Is he a promising kid?”

“Well. I hope he grows up to be like Jack Price.”

“Hope for what you can hope for. And if he grows up like that, he’ll be sold to a big club.”

“Then, I hope he grows up moderately.”

Ban Seok-ho smiles.

When no one knew of Johan’s existence.

When only his father knew of Johan’s potential.

At that time, Ban Seok-ho could guarantee it.

That all Hammers [West Ham fans] would fall in love with Johan.

And now.

“Johaaan-! Pride of London!”

“Bani! Write the club’s history!”

“King of West Ham! Johan!”

Everyone is chanting Johan’s name.

Now, there is no one who does not know his true value.

The whole world is recognizing Johan’s shining talent.

Ban Seok-ho felt his heart burning.

“Kill them all-!”

With Ban Seok-ho’s voice shouting towards the ground while standing up,

“Beeeep-!”

The game started.

*

In fact, the secret meeting between Manager Ernesto and Manager Hauer was not smooth.

Both managers were people with firm philosophies and very strong convictions.

It would be strange if the conversation between the two went smoothly.

However, there was one thing that both of them agreed on.

“You can’t stop him with defense.”

“That’s right.”

That was that you shouldn’t even think about stopping Johan with defense.

They were two managers who could confidently say that they knew Johan better than anyone else.

Because they had been beaten by Johan several times.

Therefore, we had to start with a premise.

It is impossible to stop Johan for 90 minutes.

“The important thing is not how many goals Johan scores.”

“But who wins the game.”

Just because you can’t stop Johan doesn’t mean you can’t win the game.

Soccer is ultimately a sport where you win if you score one more goal than you concede.

West Ham is a team that has come this far with a strong attack, but that doesn’t mean that their defense is weak.

Until last season, it could be said that their defense was a weakness, but Bellamy and Guimarães, who joined this season, were showing good teamwork.

Therefore, it was difficult to score more goals than Johan with a half-hearted attack.

Rather than being ordinary, something extreme was needed, and Manager Ernesto pulled out a surprise card called 4-2-4.

Based on the back four, the midfield ends with two central midfielders.

Everyone else is a striker.

An extremely aggressive formation with two tops in the center and wing forwards on the left and right.

Of course, the left and right wingers can come down to form a 4-4-2 formation when defending.

But what is clear is that those wingers are not mediocre midfielders, but professional strikers.

What Manchester City needed was a lot of goals.

“You have to score at least five goals.”

“Well. I thought six goals was the limit.”

Manager Hauer thought at least five goals were needed, and Manager Ernesto thought at least six goals were needed.

That’s because they judged that they could exceed the score that Johan alone would produce.

Whether that is possible.

Samir Rishard, catches the ball on the right. Manchester City is speeding up the tempo.

For now, we had no choice but to try.