Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 60

< 059. A Gentleman's Revenge >

In the second half, Manchester United seemed to perform slightly better than in the first.

From the moment the players returned to the field, their expressions were different.

You could say they had somewhat regained their composure during halftime.

That was inevitable because,

During halftime, Coach Hiddleston had erupted in fury.

“You sons of bitches!”

Hiddleston was livid.

Of course, Hiddleston would always make a scene during halftime if they screwed up in the first half.

However, today, the intensity was several times greater than usual.

The locker room was in complete chaos.

Hiddleston, unable to contain his anger, threw and smashed the locker room furniture in front of the players.

“Harrison!”

“···”

“Fucking Harrison! Answer me!”

“···Yes.”

“You! How much is your fucking salary? Huh?”

“···”

“I told you to answer! Answer! How much is that salary you’re so proud of!”

“10 million pounds···”

“Ha! Is that 10 million pound performance what you showed today? Huh? Are you even worthy of being an England representative!”

The biggest target was Harrison.

Harrison, who had been nutmegged [a football move where the ball is passed between an opponent’s legs] twice by Johan in the first half, providing critical opportunities for goals, became Coach Hiddleston’s primary target, and the other players quietly lowered their heads, fearing they might be next.

However, they couldn’t escape Coach Hiddleston’s wrath either.

“The rest of you are the same! When I was a player for this club! I couldn’t even imagine losing to teams like that!”

In fact, when Hiddleston started talking about ‘back in my day,’ the players couldn’t do anything but listen quietly.

Because what he said was all true.

When Coach Hiddleston wore the Manchester United uniform, losing to teams like West Ham was indeed unimaginable.

Back then, Manchester United was a powerhouse, and Hiddleston was at the center of it.

No player dared to say a word to such a coach.

However, today, even those players wanted to talk back to Coach Hiddleston.

Of course, no one actually had the courage to do so, but they all thought in their heads.

‘Even if you returned to your prime, Coach, you couldn’t stop that guy.’

The players all knew that Coach Hiddleston was amazing in his prime.

He was truly a great player. James Hiddleston.

That’s why he could still command the respect of the current Manchester United players.

However, the players who had been on the field with Johan during the first half could guarantee it.

Even if the great Hiddleston returned to his peak, he couldn’t stop that guy.

Therefore, in the early part of the second half.

The Manchester United players, who had been thoroughly scolded by Coach Hiddleston, showed a brief surge of fighting spirit.

But fundamentally, they couldn’t completely turn the game around.

Because what they feared more than Hiddleston was Johan.

‘Shit···’

Watching the game, Coach Hiddleston was trembling.

He was furious. Absolutely furious.

What? He’s taking it easy? He didn’t even train this week?

‘Like father, like son.’

What the guy had said in the tunnel after the first half.

Hiddleston vividly remembered something from the distant past after hearing those words.

Even though he vaguely remembered the incident with Ban Seok-ho, he didn’t remember every conversation they had.

But Johan’s words brought it all back.

Back then, they had fought tooth and nail over the word ‘talent.’

Arguing over who was the real talent.

That must be why he said those words.

And he was trying to prove it.

That his father’s talent was superior to yours.

‘Wait a minute.’

Come to think of it, isn’t saying ‘like father, like son’ a compliment?

That guy is the most outstanding of all 22 players on the field right now.

This is really fucked up.

Anyway, there was nothing Hiddleston could do.

A coach shouldn’t be swayed by emotions.

A coach’s role is to keep a cool head, analyze the game calmly, and solve problems.

However, Hiddleston’s situation was far from that.

Already consumed by uncontrollable emotions, all Hiddleston could do was tremble.

So, the fact that West Ham started to dominate the second half was also thanks to Johan.

Because Johan’s one sentence had destabilized Manchester United’s control tower.

!

It’s hardly a decisive goal, but Johan’s fourth goal, which sealed the deal, came in the 14th minute of the second half.

It was a goal that hit Manchester United, who relied more on individual tactics than team tactics.

It was as if he was saying that if you’re going to rely on individual tactics, you need a player who can do this much.

A common criticism of Manchester United was that they relied too much on individual skills.

However, looking at Johan, you couldn’t help but think that relying on individual skills wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Individual tactics, when executed by a player with outstanding skills, were far more destructive than even advanced team tactics.

If Manchester United should be criticized, it’s for not being able to bring in a player who can do as much as Johan, despite spending so much money.

Anyway, with that goal, Johan succeeded in scoring four goals in a single game for the first time in his career.

And the opponent wasn’t some relegation-threatened team, but Manchester United, and at their home, Old Trafford.

One of the most challenging away games in the Premier League.

However, it seemed to mean nothing to Johan.

“FOUR! FOUR!”

“Is this even real!? Four goals against Manchester United!”

“It’s real! Who cares about Manchester United! Let’s go for five!”

With Old Trafford silent, the shouts of the away fans felt even louder.

It was like renting someone else’s house.

The West Ham fans cheered enthusiastically for Johan, who had created a 4-1 score.

And,

Ban Seok-ho was no longer getting overly excited.

“It’s almost pitiful to be any happier.”

Seeing Hiddleston sitting powerlessly on the Manchester United bench, he felt like he was the perpetrator, making him feel sorry to be any happier.

It was like when he got beat up by a friend as a kid, and his older brother beat the crap out of him in retaliation.

He had only been hit once.

It’s okay to stop now.

It’s enough now···

“Oh!”

“Wooooooow-!”

“Another one! FIVE!”

It seems he wasn’t being honest enough.

As if it were a lie that he thought it was enough, Ban Seok-ho jumped up and down again when Johan’s fifth goal was scored.

*

Manchester United collapsed helplessly, and eventually, before the game was even over, the home fans who had come to Old Trafford left the stadium en masse.

Even after a heavy defeat, it’s rare for fans to leave the stadium during the game.

However, it was a game they couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

A rerun of Six and the City, which Manchester City had inflicted on them long ago [a reference to a specific Manchester derby match where Manchester City defeated Manchester United 6-1].

West Ham defeated Manchester United 6-1.

Johan scored five goals, and Team Gordon added another goal in added time of the second half.

For Manchester United, there was no more perfect disaster at home.

Therefore,

“If you’re going to play like that, just quit!”

“I don’t want to insult you! But I have no choice but to insult you!”

“The beautiful era is over! Disappear for the sake of Manchester United!”

The remaining home fans poured out their resentment towards Coach Hiddleston.

Faced with that resentment, Hiddleston lowered his head and quickly left the field,

~I’m forever blowing bubbles!~

~Pretty bubbles in the air!~

~They fly so high!~

~nearly reach the sky!~

Only West Ham’s anthem echoed through the empty Old Trafford.

Old Trafford, on this day, was not Old Trafford, but Another London Stadium.

*

After the game, at the interview venue.

“Today, we have two special interviewees. One is the MOM [Man of the Match] of today’s game, Johan Ban, who scored a whopping 5 goals.”

Johan appeared for the post-match interview.

However, he was with someone else today.

“The other is another MOM [Most Outstanding Moment] of today’s game. Johan’s father, Seok-ho Ban.”

Ban Seok-ho stood there, beaming.

Ban Seok-ho had been caught on camera throughout the game.

Therefore, the broadcasters couldn’t miss this opportunity and brought Ban Seok-ho to the interview venue.

What do the media crave the most?

A story.

The feud between Manchester United, Hiddleston, and Ban Seok-ho was a famous story, so they couldn’t miss this moment.

“Johan, you played your best game of the season today. Did your father’s presence have an impact?”

Johan glanced at Ban Seok-ho at the reporter’s question.

“I think it had some impact.”

“Specifically, what kind of impact did it have?”

“Um···”

Johan scratched his chin.

It’s a bit embarrassing to talk in front of his dad.

He had decided to answer all interviews honestly, but he felt a bit awkward now.

He’s a tyrant on the field, but as soon as he steps off the field, he’s just a typical teenager.

“Since my dad gave birth to me, the results of today’s game were also created by my dad.”

“Ah, hahaha! That’s true. That’s a great answer.”

The reporters burst out laughing at the slightly hesitant answer, and Ban Seok-ho also laughed.

This time, a question went to Ban Seok-ho.

“In a way, it’s a satisfying revenge. You must be very proud of your son. Today must be the happiest day thanks to your son, how do you feel?”

The happiest day thanks to his son.

Ban Seok-ho shook his head at the question.

“That’s not true.”

The reporters tilted their heads.

Not today?

Ban Seok-ho continued.

“Today is the second happiest day. The happiest day thanks to this guy was a long time ago. April 26, 2011.”

“April 26, 2011?”

It was still an incomprehensible answer.

However, only Johan seemed to understand and chuckled,

And because Ban Seok-ho had such a happy expression, the reporters didn’t bother to ask further.

After a few more questions, the interview ended early for the father and son to have some time together.

Ban Seok-ho and Johan left the interview venue with their arms around each other’s shoulders.

The reporters began to look for what happened on April 26, 2011.

“Anything there?”

“Nothing really?”

But there was nothing special.

Just an ordinary day···

Then,

“Ah! I found it!”

“What is it?”

“What is it?”

One reporter seemed to have found something and suddenly made a tearful expression.

“April 26, 2011. Johan’s birthday. The day Johan was born.”

“Ah···!”

At that moment, reporters suddenly started complaining of runny noses at the interview venue.

Everyone started sniffling.

Then, everyone took out their phones.

“Hey, Mom. It’s me.”

“Yes, Father.”

Everyone started making calls to someone.