Became The Premier League’S Youngest Manager [EN]: Chapter 18

18. Ready to Leap

After winning all four games in August, the fans’ improved mood was threatening to sour again.

However, regardless of the conversations on TV, in stadiums, pubs, and living rooms throughout Burnley, Kim addressed the players in the locker room with a serious expression.

“It’s a shame that Ashley Westwood is gone, but I believe the players here are more than capable of filling his role. If we stick to the plan and execute what we’ve practiced, we can definitely achieve results.”

Making eye contact with each player, and carefully concealing the tension and pressure he felt, Hyungmin emphasized each word.

“So, don’t be afraid. Go out there and play our game. If we play the way we’ve practiced and aimed for, I won’t blame you. Believe in yourselves. Believe in the potential you’ve shown in winning all four games.”

The players nodded at the manager’s sincere words.

As the manager’s final tactical briefing concluded, captain Ben Mee stood and surveyed the team.

“Did we have even one game last month where the odds were in our favor?”

“No!”

The team shouted in unison.

Looking at them, Ben Mee yelled.

“Was there even one person outside who thought we would win?”

“No!!”

“But who won?”

“We did!!!”

The team cheered together, and the captain shouted the final slogan.

“Forever and ever! Who are we?”

“We are Burnley!!!!”

Burnley took a calculated risk by starting three loan players.

The defense in front of goalkeeper Nick Pope consisted of Matt Lowton, James Tarkowski, Ben Mee, and Charlie Taylor, from right to left.

However, in midfield, with Ashley Westwood’s departure, even veteran vice-captain Jack Cork was on the bench. Nicolas Seiwald started as the defensive midfielder.

Josh Brownhill and Hannibal Mejbri were deployed as central midfielders.

Meanwhile, in attack, Jay Rodriguez, who had been in top form, was benched due to a minor injury and reduced fitness.

Therefore, Karim Adeyemi, Chris Wood, and Dwight McNeil lined up from right to left.

On the other hand, Watford, expected to be relegation rivals, countered Burnley’s 4-3-3 formation with a traditional 4-4-2.

Veteran goalkeeper Ben Foster, formerly of Manchester United, guarded the goal, with Francisco Sierralta, William Troost-Ekong, Christian Kabasele, and Adam Masina forming the defensive line from right to left.

The midfield consisted of Emmanuel Dennis, Moussa Sissoko, Juraj Kucka, and Joshua King, from right to left.

The attack featured Ismaila Sarr, a Senegalese star coveted by numerous top clubs, and Cucho Hernandez, who joined Watford as a youth player and finally broke into the starting lineup after several successful loan spells.

On paper, the two clubs, both expected to struggle against relegation before the season, appeared evenly matched.

A tight game was anticipated, and it began with Watford’s kickoff and the referee’s whistle.

However, the expectation of a cautious start was immediately shattered.

“Goal! It’s a goal! Number 26 shines for the Clarets! It’s Hannibal~ Mejbri~!!!”

The announcer’s shout filled Turf Moor, Burnley’s home stadium, with the cheers of jubilant home fans just seven minutes into the first half.

Burnley players mobbed Hannibal Mejbri, who scored the opening goal, as he ran to the corner flag, arms outstretched, to bask in the fans’ adulation.

“Well done! Well done!”

Amid the celebrations, captain Ben Mee and veteran central defender James Tarkowski grabbed the young midfielder and shook him enthusiastically.

Following the veterans, the Burnley players hugged Hannibal wildly and cheered.

“Uwaaaa!!”

After the intense goal celebration, Karim Adeyemi, who provided the assist from the right wing, approached Hannibal Mejbri as he returned to the Burnley side.

“Not bad, kid. You’re actually pretty good.”

“I’ve always been pretty good. Anyway, thanks for the compliment.”

Hannibal Mejbri shrugged, unfazed by Karim Adeyemi’s lukewarm praise.

“Still not impressed. You wouldn’t have scored without my assist, you know? Pay me back with an assist next time.”

“Hmph. I’ll think about it. But I like goals more than assists.”

“What are you talking about? I’m the attacker here.”

The bickering between Hannibal Mejbri and Karim Adeyemi was interrupted as Nicolas Seiwald, the defensive midfielder, wrapped his strong arms around their necks.

“You guys! Get along! Huh?!”

“Keuk! Keuk!”

“Cough, I can’t breathe!”

The two players, struggling to breathe under Nicolas Seiwald’s steel-like grip, desperately pushed his arms away.

“Goal! Another goal! Number 9 shines for the Clarets! It’s Chris~ Wood~!!!”

Before the excitement of the previous goal could subside, Burnley’s home stadium announcer shouted with even greater joy.

[Ah… I’m speechless.]

The commentator exclaimed as Chris Wood scored in the 13th minute.

[I don’t know if Kim is amazing, or if Burnley’s players are amazing… I don’t know if any Premier League manager has achieved such quick results under these circumstances.]

[Three of the starting players are under-20 loan players who joined Burnley two weeks ago and are playing their first game. Considering the international break [a period when national teams play], there was little time to coordinate, yet Burnley is playing so smoothly.]

[Arthur Brimlow, Burnley’s head of youth development, has years of experience, but I didn’t expect him to integrate the players so quickly…]

Kim assigned clear roles to Burnley’s players, especially the new ones.

Nicolas Seiwald, the defensive midfielder, used his relentless energy to patrol the midfield, protecting the defense and disrupting the opponent’s attacks.

Josh Brownhill, the central midfielder with the best passing range, received the ball and initiated attacks.

Hannibal Mejbri, with his creativity and technique, constantly penetrated the opponent’s defense to create scoring opportunities or shoot himself.

Dwight McNeil and Karim Adeyemi, the left and right wingers, used their pace to stretch the defense, either hugging the sidelines or cutting inside the penalty box.

Chris Wood, the center forward, either dropped deep as a decoy or pushed forward to shoot.

As Kim instructed, Burnley’s first goal came when Hannibal Mejbri, acting as a temporary center forward, cut inside and received a pass from Karim Adeyemi, while Chris Wood drew defenders away from the penalty box.

Burnley’s second goal was scored when Chris Wood headed in a cross from Dwight McNeil, exploiting the space created when Watford’s defense focused on Hannibal Mejbri and Karim Adeyemi on the left.

The pattern was clear, and Watford, overwhelmed by the speed and stamina of Burnley’s players, conceded two goals early and lost their fighting spirit.

Watford was so thoroughly outplayed by Hyungmin’s tactics that Ben Mee’s goal from a corner kick in the 63rd minute felt inconsequential.

***

After the BBC’s evening news, it was time for sports.

Reflecting the UK’s obsession with football, especially on Premier League matchdays, most of the segment focused on the sport.

The main topic was Kim’s Burnley, who had become a sensation with their five-game winning streak and his appointment as permanent manager.

“Shots 24 to 7, shots on target 13 to 3, expected goals 2.57 to 0.59. I mean… Watford was pathetic.”

The panel of former players shook their heads, and the host added.

“Yes, Watford was so thoroughly beaten that manager Xisco Muñoz will be contemplating his future… Excuse my language, but they got their asses kicked.”

The panelists chuckled.

“The strange thing is that Kim’s tactics haven’t changed in the last five games, yet opposing teams can’t respond. What are your thoughts?”

One of the panelists, an elderly gentleman who was a former England international and renowned manager, raised his hand.

“I think knowing and stopping are different. Kim’s tactics aren’t revolutionary. The 4-3-3 formation with front pressing and quick counterattacks was perfected by Jurgen Klopp when he won the Bundesliga [German Football League] twice with gegenpressing [a tactic where, upon losing possession, players immediately attempt to win back possession, rather than regrouping]. It has clear advantages and disadvantages.”

The other panelists nodded, and the host asked.

“Then why aren’t other managers countering Kim’s tactics?”

“It’s not that they aren’t, it’s that they can’t. Let’s look at Watford’s first goal.”

The screen behind the panelists showed Watford’s first goal.

The retired player turned to the screen and explained.

“Look. After Watford’s attack was stopped near Burnley’s penalty box, James Tarkowski, Josh Brownhill, Karim Adeyemi, and Hannibal Mejbri led the counterattack. They reached the opponent’s goal in just four touches.”

The video showed the ball moving from Burnley’s side to Watford’s.

“It seems slow because it’s in slow motion, but it took about five seconds. The attacking players didn’t have time to recover, and the defenders didn’t have enough time or players to get into position.”

The video replayed the scene where Chris Wood pulled down Watford’s two central defenders and Hannibal Mejbri penetrated from the right.

The retired player pointed out Watford’s defenders.