Became The Premier League’S Youngest Manager [EN]: Chapter 38

38: No Room to Retreat

Josh Brownhill lofted a high ball toward the center of the penalty box.

Instantly, the burly players from Chelsea and Burnley, renowned for their heading prowess, leaped into the air.

Of course, they subtly employed elbows and knees in ways imperceptible to the referee, assistant referee, and VAR [Video Assistant Referee, used to review decisions].

Some even rotated their heads a full 360 degrees, a threatening gesture toward opposing players (and even a few of their own).

The clash occurred at the heart of the defensive lines of both teams.

Chelsea’s back four—Malang Sarr, Antonio Rüdiger, Trevor Chalobah, and Andreas Christensen—all ascended to challenge the ball.

Facing them were Burnley’s stalwarts: James Tarkowski, Nathan Collins, and central striker Chris Wood, who joined the fray in the defenders’ area.

Due to their positioning, these seven players, with their height, build, and aerial dominance, ended up colliding with each other rather than the ball, resulting in pained groans as they crashed back to earth.

With all the players who might have touched the ball effectively neutralized, the ultimate beneficiary of the ball’s elegant arc was Burnley’s striker, Jay Rodriguez.

The veteran striker, who had come on as a substitute for the injured Karim Adeyemi, didn’t hesitate. He threw his entire body into a header, directing the ball powerfully into the goal.

88th minute of the second half.

Burnley succeeded in scoring the go-ahead goal at home.

***

The day after the game against Chelsea.

The regular executive meeting was moved forward in anticipation of the Carabao Cup [EFL Cup] match against Norwich on Tuesday.

The primary topic on the agenda was a detailed discussion of the proposal put forth a few days prior by vice-captain and veteran midfielder, Jack Cork.

“I’ve spoken with the agents of the veterans whose contracts are expiring this season.”

Technical Director Jonathan Landress began his report to the board, manager, and head coach.

“No, to be precise, I’ve spoken with all the agents of the older players whose contracts are expiring or whom we are considering replacing.”

Jonathan projected a PowerPoint slide onto the screen.

“My apologies to these guys, but I’ll explain in order of age. First, backup goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has a contract until the summer of 2023. He’s 34 this year and is content to remain as a backup.”

“And then?”

In response to Helena’s question, Jonathan displayed the next slide.

“Helena may not have met him in person, but this is Bailey Peacock-Farrell. He’s 25 this year and the starting goalkeeper for the Northern Ireland national team.”

The screen showed a tall goalkeeper with a youthful face and a bright smile.

“We signed him from Leeds two years ago for £2.5 million, but unfortunately, he was overtaken by Nick Pope and didn’t establish himself as a starter. This season, he’s on loan at Sheffield Wednesday in League One [third tier of English football], where he’s been performing exceptionally well, recording 17 clean sheets in 19 games. Kim and I have agreed that next season, we’ll develop him as a backup goalkeeper and give him cup match opportunities.”

“So, Wayne Hennessey…?”

“Will be sold. However, given his age and the short time remaining on his contract, we won’t receive a transfer fee. It’s primarily about reducing our wage bill.”

He moved to the next slide.

“Next is Matt Lowton. He’s now 32 and under contract until the summer of 2023. He’s played in every Premier League game this season and has been performing so well that several clubs are interested. Kim and I discussed it, and if we can sell him in the summer transfer window and use the transfer fee and wages to bring in a younger player, we’ve decided to pursue it. His wages are £45,000 a week, which is significant by our standards.”

Jonathan flipped to the next slide again.

“Next is Jack Cork. He’s now 32 and his contract expires this summer. He’s already indicated he’ll be transferring, and according to his agent, there’s some interest from overseas. Interestingly…”

“…?”

As people showed curiosity, Jonathan, who had been hesitant, smiled at Hyungmin.

“There’s interest from Kim’s home country, South Korea. A team called Ulsan Hyundai. The expected transfer fee is around £700,000. Considering there are about six months left on his contract, it’s a good price.”

Jonathan moved to the next slide.

“Next is Dale Stephens. He’s 32 and his contract also expires this summer. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to secure a place in the team, and he’s missed the entire first half of the season due to injury. It’ll be difficult to get a transfer fee, so he’ll remain as a backup option for now and leave as a free agent when his contract expires in the summer.”

Next slide.

“Next is Jay Rodriguez. He’s also 32, and his contract also expires this summer. He played well as a starter at the beginning of the season, and now he’s filling Karim’s void effectively as a backup. Since we can’t expect a large transfer fee at this point, we’ve decided to keep him this season and let him leave as a free agent in the summer. To be honest, his wages are too high for us to justify renewing.”

Next up was a rugged veteran who looked even bigger than his actual height.

“Next is Ashley Barnes. He’s also 32, and his contract also expires in the summer. He comfortably conveyed that he’s fine with whatever happens. Honestly, it’s a bit unclear.”

“What’s unclear about it?”

In response to Mike Garlick’s question, Jonathan replied.

“His wages are £50,000. It’s quite high by our standards, but it’s hard to sell him and get a transfer fee. He’s currently the only central striker backup for Chris Wood. It depends on what offers we receive from other clubs and Kim’s plans for using him.”

As people’s gazes turned to him, Hyungmin shrugged.

“From my perspective, it’s definitely good to have him. But so far, he’s only played in three Premier League games, and two of those were as a substitute. Considering his wages, it might be time to let him go.”

Jonathan nodded, having heard Hyungmin’s opinion.

“If that’s the case, we’ll let him go if we get a good offer.”

“What do you mean by a good offer?”

In response to Helena’s question, Jonathan replied.

“We’ll base it on the condition that the player and the opposing club agree to terms without us having to subsidize his wages. If we can get even a small transfer fee, that’s a bonus.”

“Okay, if that’s the case.”

With Helena also agreeing, Jonathan moved to the next slide.

“We’re almost done now. Erik Pieters. He’s 31 this year, and his contract expires in the summer of 2022. His agent told us he wants to transfer this winter, so we agreed. The same goes for Kevin Long. He’s 31 this year, and his contract expires in the summer of 2022. His agent informed us that he wants to leave in this winter transfer window.”

The slide moved again.

“Lastly, Johann Berg Guðmundsson. He can play both right and left as a backup attacker. He’s 31 and under contract until 2023, so we’ve agreed to keep him until the end of this season. We’ll discuss whether to transfer him in the summer at that time.”

As the explanation came to an end, Helena, who had been counting the players, glared at Mike Garlick and John Banaszkiewicz.

“There are nine players over 30 in the first team, which has only 23 players in total? Seriously, were you planning to start a retirement home?”

While Mike Garlick and John Banaszkiewicz tried to look away, John Banaszkiewicz raised his hand as if to change the subject.

“Yes, John. Go ahead.”

At Jonathan’s prompting, John Banaszkiewicz asked.

“I might have missed it, but it seems like someone’s missing?”

“Yes, you’ve pointed that out well. I’ve postponed it to discuss at the end.”

The last slide Jonathan displayed had two player profile pictures from Burnley’s website, taken with their arms crossed in their home uniforms.

It was the central defender duo forming Burnley’s solid defense, captain Ben Mee and James Tarkowski.

Burnley’s Technical Director Jonathan Landress brought up the final topic of discussion.

“Ben is 32 this year, and his contract expires this summer. James is 29, and his contract also ends this summer.”

“And then?”

In response to Helena’s question, Jonathan shrugged.

“From our perspective, we want to let Ben leave as a free agent and keep James. But Ben wants to renew his contract, and James wants to leave as a free agent.”

Helena clicked her tongue at the conflicting situation.

“Isn’t there any way to persuade James?”

In response to Mike Garlick’s question, Jonathan shook his head.

“There’s too much interest in James. He’s 29 now, so he’s at his peak as a defender. He’s proven his defensive skills under Sean Dyche, and he’s proven that he can play build-up play under Kim. Plus, he’s English, so he fills the homegrown quota, and since he’s a free agent, there’s no transfer fee.”

Jonathan sighed.

“Premier League clubs are lining up, and even Manchester United or Tottenham would consider him an upgrade from their existing options.”

“Could the manager or coach persuade him…?”

Hyungmin and Arthur both shook their heads in response to John Banaszkiewicz’s question.

“That guy doesn’t listen to others.”

Arthur’s answer was short and blunt.

“I honestly think it’s the player’s choice. I don’t want to hold onto a player who wants to leave either.”

Hyungmin added more gently.

Helena, who was about to lose one of the club’s core assets for free, sighed lowly and asked.

“So, let’s say James Tarkowski is leaving, what is there to discuss?”

“Whether to offer captain Ben Mee a contract renewal, that is.”

At Jonathan’s answer, the gazes of the people gathered in the conference room turned to Hyungmin.

A 32-year-old veteran.

He is still a mainstay of the defense and a pillar, and the value of a dedicated captain like Ben Mee cannot be measured by money alone.

But a small club like Burnley cannot make decisions based solely on sentiment.

Hyungmin, who had buried his face in his hands and was lost in thought for a long time in silence, finally raised his head.

“What is Ben’s weekly wage?”

“£70,000.”

“What about James?”

“The same.”

At Jonathan’s answer, Hyungmin sighed quietly.

“What would that translate to in transfer fees?”

“Well… it’s not necessarily a one-to-one conversion, but roughly, when calculating 52 weeks in a year, a weekly wage of £70,000 would equate to a budget of around £3.6 million in transfer fees. Of course, we have to pay wages to the new player coming in, so we can’t spend all that money.”

Approximately spending £2 million in transfer fees and giving a weekly wage of £30,000, Hyungmin calculated in his head and then sighed.

“Ben is…”