Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 27

< 026. Johan and the Mother Birds >

West Ham United has a total of three co-owners.

Rahim McManaman, the owner of LSF Company, the largest food company in the UK.

Mark Andrews, the founder of Drew&Andrews, a clothing company with stores in various European countries.

Adam Ginsburg, the head of a hotel group and a real estate tycoon.

Interestingly, these three maintain an amazing balance.

Food, clothing, and shelter are all accounted for.

Clothing, food, real estate.

Thanks to this, there was an interesting story going around about West Ham.

The story was that if you play for West Ham for three years, you don’t have to worry about food, clothing, and shelter.

This was because players who played for West Ham for more than 3 years received certain types of products from the headquarters for free, or had benefits such as significant discounts.

What McManaman was trying to say was an extension of that benefit.

“But, since it’s contingent on winning, we need to be more generous.”

“Then?”

“Well, lifetime free support for company products and services. Something like that. I’d have to talk to Mr. Andrews or Mr. Ginsburg separately, but everything is possible on our end. Free use of all operating restaurants, or even product support. For life.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

“That’s nothing. No, if we get all these options and win the team the league, he’ll become the best player in our team’s history. Can’t we do that much? We can do more. And.”

“And?”

“That’s just what I’m saying. How easily can that be possible?”

Owner McManaman chuckled.

That’s right.

In fact, it wouldn’t mean much to bet on anything.

West Ham United.

A team that has never won the first division league since its foundation.

They haven’t won for over 130 years.

If you can win with such a team, I can give you everything.

But it’s probably realistically difficult.

Winning, that is.

“Well, that’s good. Then let’s have a meeting about that.”

“Yes. Thanks to that kid, we’ve strengthened our team quite well, and I have high expectations.”

“I’ll try to live up to your expectations.”

*

‘If we win, they’ll take care of our food, clothing, and shelter for life?’

Johan’s eyes widened as he received the contract.

It was an unexpected contract.

Other items didn’t even catch his eye,

Only the last line.

The special benefits he would receive if he won the team the championship caught his eye.

‘This is awesome!’

If he just wins with this team, they’ll let him live and eat for the rest of his life.

Isn’t this completely awesome?

If he wins, he can retire immediately and they’ll take responsibility for the rest of his life, his dream will come true.

A dream of living without doing anything.

Without looking any further, Johan hurriedly picked up a pen and tried to sign.

But Ban Seok-ho stopped him for a moment.

“Johan. Don’t sign carelessly.”

“Yes? I don’t think there’s anything else to see?”

“…Don’t tell me, is it because of the winning option?”

“Yes.”

Ban Seok-ho scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

It seemed like Johan didn’t know what it meant to win the league with West Ham yet.

Since the 2000s,

Only 6 teams have lifted the Premier League trophy in 27 years.

Man U [Manchester United], Man City [Manchester City], Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Leicester.

Except for Leicester City, who won the 15/16 season, there were no upsets.

In other words, the teams that have won before are the ones that win.

Ban Seok-ho, a die-hard West Ham fan, knew better than anyone.

That the current West Ham is not a competitive team enough to compete for the championship.

So, this option was practically non-existent.

“And, you have to review the other options here. The winning option also says that you have to achieve more than 70 percent of these options.”

“…Options?”

At Ban Seok-ho’s words, Johan reads the contract again.

Come to think of it, there are many items marked as options.

– Appear in a total of 35 or more games in one season: £120,000

– Play a total of 2,200 minutes or more in one season: £120,000

– Score a total of 20 or more goals in one season: £180,000

– Record a total of 10 or more assists in one season: £160,000

– When winning the league top scorer award for the season: £250,000

– For each Player of the Month award: £70,000

-…

-…

-…

There are almost 10 options alone.

Johan, who doesn’t know the concept of options exactly, asks.

“Does this mean they give you this much as a bonus if you do this?”

“That’s, that’s right. But look closely. Nothing is easy. They’re not going to give it to you easily.”

At Ban Seok-ho’s words, Johan tilts his head.

Is this? Is this difficult?

Well.

He had never played a full season, so he couldn’t get a good sense of it.

But…

Last season, he played 4 games and recorded 7 goals and 3 assists.

One season is a total of 38 games.

Then, even if he doesn’t do well, it’s four nine thirty-six. Seven nine sixty-three. Three nine twenty-seven.

He can score 63 goals and 27 assists, right?

Besides, there are games like cup competitions.

“…That’s, that’s too simple of a calculation. It’s not easy to score that many goals every game. That’s a record that only players like Messi or Ronaldo could have achieved in the old days.”

“…I don’t know who they are, but anyway, you only have to do half of that. Then it seems easy.”

Ban Seok-ho scratches his head at Johan, who doesn’t understand.

Uhm.

No matter how much he explains to a guy who thinks it looks easy, he won’t understand now.

Instead of explaining to Johan, Ban Seok-ho said to the club official.

“How about lowering the option standards a bit? The standards seem quite high for a player who debuted less than 2 months ago.”

“Hmm, is that so? Well, we can lower it. But, of course, the allowance will also decrease. Is that okay with you?”

It is natural that the reward decreases as the difficulty decreases.

Ban Seok-ho thought that would be better.

Instead, he should ask for a higher base salary.

But this time, Johan stopped him.

“I’ll do it as it is, Dad. Dad, didn’t you say you should aim high?”

“…!”

Ban Seok-ho was impressed by Johan’s words.

Johan said something like that?

In an instant, Ban Seok-ho felt ashamed of himself for being so calculating.

That’s right. Let’s support our son’s dream.

It’s a miracle that he has a goal and is showing motivation like this.

Anyway, it was clear that the club valued Johan quite highly, even with the basic conditions alone.

“Shall I sign?”

“Did you, did you look at the back page?”

“Yes. I saw something about a golf ban. It’s not related to me. And there’s something about BMI [Body Mass Index]? I don’t know what it is.”

“Golf? Uh… okay.”

In the end, Johan picked up a pen,

The new contract was finalized.

The contract period is 4 years with a 1-year extension option.

The annual salary is about 40 times higher than the existing level.

In addition, a total of about 1.8 million pounds in allowances including options.

And, food, clothing, and shelter for life when winning the championship.

‘West Ham Championship.’

Johan’s goal for next season has been set.

ㆍㆍㆍ

July 5, 2027.

London Stratford, West Ham 1st team training ground.

“Let’s do well in the future.”

“I look forward to working with you.”

“I’m going to bury my bones here!”

“…Certainly, the Scottish accent is as unique as mine.”

“The coach is like my grandfather!”

The training ground is noisy.

This was because of the players who newly joined West Ham through this summer transfer market.

There are four people in total.

Since they are all young players, they have motivated faces from their first day at work.

“Alright! This is where I can fully realize my dream!”

“…I wonder who’s going to make our ears hot in the future.”

“Hey! It’s not just your ears that are hot! I’ll make your heart hot too!”

Among them, one bulky guy who seems to have excessive motivation.

Midfielder Jacob Buckley, who transferred from Celtic in the Scottish League.

Even though his Scottish dialect is severe and he seems a bit unreliable, Buckley, a promising player who transferred with the highest price among the four, smiled happily while looking at the training ground.

His expression says that this place will now be his territory.

“Oh? It’s a senior!”

Buckley, who was looking around the training ground, suddenly runs when he finds someone entering the training ground.

“Senior! I’ll say hello… Huh?”

“…?”

“Oh, you’re that little kid! Youngest debut goal! That’s right, that’s right!”

It was Johan who was walking leisurely into the training ground.

Buckley recognized Johan.

Johan frowned at Buckley’s noise pollution that seemed to make his ears fall off.

What is it? I don’t recognize his face.

Buckley put his arm around Johan’s shoulder and said.

“Hey, you’re a bit of a cheater? If you keep doing that, you can become a good player like this hyung [older brother/male friend]!”

“…”

“This hyung will help you a lot in the future, so you can learn a lot from me! Got it, maknae [youngest member]?”

“Who are you telling to learn from you?”

“Huh? Oh! Team Godon! I’ll say hello, Captain!”

Gordon appeared following Johan.

Gordon removed Buckley’s arm from Johan’s shoulder.

“It’s Gordon, not Godon.”

“Yes? Yes. Godon.”

“…Gordon.”

“Godon.”

“Are you the guy who came from Scotland?”

“Hehe, that’s right.”

“If possible, let’s fix the dialect first. And.”

“Yes, Cap!”

“I’ll let it slide because it’s the first day, but don’t treat him like a maknae in the future.”

“Yes, yes?”

“You, you don’t know yet?”

“What?”

Gordon said to all four newcomers, not just Buckley.

“You all came here to assist this guy. It’s good to throw away other egos. He’s a prince, and we’re all servants serving the prince.”

“…Eh?”

“Repeat after me. Prince.”

“Prince…”

“What’s with the voices of the rookies?”

“Prince!”

“We are servants.”

“We are servants!!”

Gordon laughed while giggling.

“So don’t treat him carelessly just because he’s young. Prince? Let’s go.”

“…

“Yes, I’ll work hard! Cap!”

Gordon takes Johan and enters the clubhouse.

Gordon looked back once and giggled.

“Wasn’t it awesome?”

“…Why am I a prince? I never asked you to call me that.”

“You rascal.”

Gordon laughs heartily,

Johan sighs and changes into his soccer shoes.

For some reason, it seems like the team will be a bit noisy in the future.

*

“Beep-!”

The first team training of the pre-season training has begun.

Players who met again after a month, and newly joined players.

Only the coaches’ whistle and the rough breathing of the players fill the field.

“Huff, huff!”

“What. A guy with a huge body is already trying to die?”

“Huff, I, I didn’t even do this when I was in high school…!”

“This will become a daily routine while you’re here. At first, everyone endures it while throwing up.”

“Still, I have pride! I’ll never throw up… Ugh!”

“Giggle.”

It was the beginning of hell.

The freshmen, who were having their first training at West Ham today, were throwing up and making a fuss.

Of course, they heard what kind of personality Coach Schmidt had, and they heard about the plans for the future when they received the recruitment offer.

They didn’t know that they would be doing such high-intensity training from the first day.

Because of this, even Buckley, who had such a loud voice, was now foaming at the mouth instead of speaking.

“Hoo, I came prepared. But it’s still tough.”

“We weren’t soccer players, we were special forces members…?”

The existing players were not much different.

They thought they had already been trained to some extent while training under Coach Schmidt for the past year.

Coach Schmidt’s second year was on a different level.

It’s already been about 2 hours since the first training started, and all they’ve done for those 2 hours was physical training.

They were players who hadn’t even touched the ball once yet.

It’s confusing whether they’re preparing for the next season or preparing for a war with France.

Because of this,

The eyes of such players naturally turn to one player.

Everyone’s eyes are full of envy.

Unlike the players who are focusing on physical training,

Only one player is training 1-on-1 with Coach Schmidt.

It was Johan.

“12 to 10. Okay, next.”

Bbeoeoeoeong-

Paahng-!

Coach Schmidt had created customized training for each player during the off-season.

Even so, it was easy to create a plan for the other players.

Anyway, more than half of it was filled with physical training.

But it took several times longer to create a session for Johan.

Anyway, even though he has some will now, he still has to be careful.

The customized training for him had to be more meticulous.

Because of this, what Coach Schmidt chose was task-based training.

Task-based training where the training is completed as is when a certain target value is achieved, regardless of time.

But,

When I saw it today, there was one problem with this too.

“11 to 10.”

“Hoo. Is it over?”

“…Yes. Good job.”

“See you tomorrow.”

“But, if you want to train more, you can. I’ll do it with you.”

“…See you tomorrow.”

“…Okay. I understand. See you tomorrow.”

I thought I had adjusted the difficulty well.

Johan’s training on the first day ended in less than an hour.

He planned a training session where he hung balls in the four corners of the goal and hit them with shots from various positions.

Johan finished it in an instant.

Johan didn’t need more than 15 attempts to hit 10 in each position.

“Kkeueung.”

Coach Schmidt scratched his head while watching Johan pack his bags and leave.

It seems like he’ll have to leave work late today.

It seemed like he would have to revise all of Johan’s already planned training plans.

But,

“You rascal.”

I felt good.

I have a good feeling about next season.

Because of this, it’s hard to wait until the 17th.

July 17, the first practice match against Cardiff City.

If he really makes up his mind and pours all the resources into Johan, how much return will he bring?

Coach Schmidt wanted to check it as soon as possible through the game against Cardiff City.