Became The Premier League’S Youngest Manager [EN]: Chapter 62

62: Have You Forgotten How to Lose?

Wayne Rooney is a legend at Manchester United, but he grew up an Everton fan, nurtured in their youth system.

At just 16, Rooney debuted for Everton’s first team, becoming the youngest scorer in Premier League history and shocking the football world.

After a celebrated career at Manchester United, whom he joined at 18, he returned to his boyhood club, Everton, for a season.

He then played for DC United in MLS before becoming a player-coach for Derby County in the English Championship, the second tier of English football.

The initial plan was to gain coaching experience in the Championship. However, in November 2020, manager Phillip Cocu was sacked, and Rooney became interim manager before his permanent appointment.

Amidst growing financial woes, he barely steered the club through the 2020/21 season. In 2021/22, Derby County faced near-certain relegation due to a points deduction following bankruptcy.

With his boyhood club facing relegation, he accepted their desperate plea, leaving the disintegrating Derby County in mid-January 2022 to manage Everton.

In the recent 2021/22 winter transfer market, Everton sold their starting left-back, Lucas Digne, to Aston Villa for £25 million. They replaced him with Vitaliy Mykolenko, the Ukrainian national team’s starting left-back from Dynamo Kyiv, for £18 million.

They also strengthened their defense by acquiring Nathan Patterson, the 21-year-old Scottish national team’s starting right-back, from Rangers, the reigning Scottish Premier League champions, for £11 million.

Additionally, they brought in Dele Alli from Tottenham on a free transfer with numerous add-ons, hoping to revive his form after his decline following his time in the DESK [Dele, Eriksen, Son, Kane] line. They also reinforced their attack by loaning Anwar El Ghazi, a winger from Aston Villa.

However, under Frank Lampard, Everton had a dismal record of 2 wins, 8 draws, and 11 losses in 21 Premier League games, earning only 14 points. Despite the managerial change and squad reinforcements, they failed to improve.

In Wayne Rooney’s three games as manager, Everton faced Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United, suffering three consecutive defeats with a combined score of 8-1. Everton fans consoled themselves, citing the new manager and tough opposition.

Burnley, once considered weaker than Everton, were now 6th in the league, while Everton were 18th. The Everton players desperately fought for at least a point.

***

“Woo-ooo!!!”

“Waa-aah!!!”

The home fans, resenting the team’s situation, packed Goodison Park, simultaneously cheering and jeering as the second half began.

“This is… a strange experience.”

Hyungmin muttered.

It’s common to hear both cheers and jeers, but usually, home and away fans react oppositely.

Away fans jeer when home fans cheer, and vice versa.

However, the home fans simultaneously cheering and jeering showed their frustration and anger.

“Hmm… we shouldn’t be greedy today.”

Sitting on the bench, watching the scoreless game, Hyungmin’s words prompted nods from the Burnley coaching and medical staff.

Team doctor Simon Morris and fitness coach Paulo Morais, responsible for the players’ physical condition, had repeatedly examined players who collapsed from impacts, their faces grim.

Amidst the intense cheers and jeers, the desperate and angry Everton players recklessly clashed with the Burnley players.

“Losing key players to injury could seriously impact our remaining schedule. Considering their activity levels and playing time, we should substitute players at high risk of injury. What do you think, Paulo?”

“I agree. With three substitutions left, we should replace Karim Adeyemi, Dwight McNeil, and Nico Gonzalez.”

“Nico didn’t play many games in the first half of the season, did he?”

Arthur asked Paulo Morais.

“True… but we should save Nico, considering his tactical importance. He’s irreplaceable.”

The squad has become quite deep.

It was still a pathetic level with only 20 field players and 3 goalkeepers, but it was a big improvement that they could now have at least one backup for each position.

Although Nico Gonzalez can replace Josh Brownhill, it is better to save Nico considering the tactical changes that Hyungmin can make when those two are on the field at the same time.

“Okay. Let’s save the wingers. Nico hasn’t played many physical English games, so caution is wise. Tell Johann, Max, and Jacob to get ready.”

“What about the new guys?”

Arthur pointed to Wout Weghorst, the central striker, and Abdou Diallo, the central defender, who had joined in late January and were starting games.

“Wout is someone the opponents should worry about, right?”

The sturdy Dutchman, 197cm tall and 84kg, was physically dominating Everton’s central defenders, Michael Keane and Jarrad Branthwaite.

Jarrad Branthwaite, a 19-year-old prospect of similar height and build but less experience, visibly paled every time Wout Weghorst pushed him shoulder-to-shoulder.

The Burnley coaching staff noticed Wout Weghorst’s subtle elbow and knee movements, strategically placed when the referee wasn’t watching.

In practice, Burnley’s defense had jokingly refused to face Wout Weghorst.

Meanwhile, Abdou Diallo skillfully suppressed the opposing attackers, as expected of a talented player from Dortmund in the Bundesliga and PSG in Ligue 1.

Defenders appreciate when the opposing attacker fouls first, as long as they avoid injury.

Arthur nodded, watching the new signing partner well with James Tarkowski to defend against Everton’s attack.

“Let’s focus on protecting the players. We can’t be penny-wise and pound-foolish.”

“Okay.”

Coach Paulo Morais instructed the substitutes to warm up.

As Arthur notified the fourth official of the substitutions, Hyungmin conveyed instructions to his players.

***

After the Everton draw on Saturday, recovery training on Sunday, and a rest day on Monday, a meeting of key executives was convened on Tuesday morning.

The three Burnley Football Club directors, Helena Cartwright, Mike Garlick, and John Banaszkiewicz, attended, along with technical director Jonathan Landres, first-team manager Hyungmin, and assistant coach Arthur.

With no urgent matters after the winter transfer market, the meeting was relaxed.

After reports and discussions on non-urgent matters, Helena spoke to Hyungmin.

“Amanda Staveley contacted me, insisting I attend the Newcastle game at St. James’ Park.”

“Oh, and?”

Typically, one director or executive from each team attends home and away games.

Burnley’s small number of directors sometimes led them to skip games, but individual invitations like this were considered rude to decline without a good reason.

Helena, Mike Garlick, and John Banaszkiewicz attended games as their schedules allowed.

Helena asked Hyungmin, who seemed puzzled.

“Can we win this game?”

“What do you mean…?”

Hyungmin asked, still confused.

“I’m not going if we can’t win.”

“…?”

Helena clicked her tongue, annoyed.

“Newcastle took Chris Wood, and I don’t want to go and return smiling. Our finances improved, and Wout Weghorst is adapting well. But I’m not going unless I’m sure we can bloody their nose.”

Hyungmin, flustered, asked Helena.

“Weren’t you friends with Amanda Staveley?”

“Being friends is one thing, but retaliation is polite.”

The people around the table exchanged fearful glances at Helena’s words, which blurred public and private matters and were filled with personal feelings.

Oh, this is very scary.

Helena ignored the others’ expressions and urged Hyungmin.

“So, are we going to win, or not?”

“Well, the ball is round…”

“And…?”

“How can I predict game results? I have to see…”

“So you’re saying we’re going to lose?”

“No, I didn’t say that!”

Why are you approaching it so dichotomously? And I feel bad if the word ‘lose’ comes out of the mouth of the club’s CEO?!?

Helena, interpreting Hyungmin’s sullen expression, shrugged.

“This is a matter of feeling. It’s not a big discourtesy even if I say I’m too busy to go, but if I’m going to go, I want to give them a good beating. So, let’s talk about the probability.”

“Probability?”

“The probability that Burnley will win against Newcastle. You must have an idea.”

I’m not a gambler?

Helena gestured for Hyungmin, who was looking at her coldly, to answer quickly.