章 501: Chapter 501: Now Let’s Hear the Manager’s Opinion
Myeong-su returned to London to handle his schedule while I stayed in Leeds to meet with Hiddink.
"I know you've been going non-stop since taking over as manager right after the World Cup without proper rest. You've worked hard this season."
Hiddink had taken up the managerial position at Leeds United without even taking a proper break.
Managing both a national team and a club team required immense mental fortitude directing and positioning people in the right places yet he'd done exactly that.
But he shook his head and spoke firmly.
"My memories of Korea left a powerful impression. That's what made me want to manage a club again. If I hadn't met you Charlie I'd probably be managing a club back home now. Either way I would've been working non-stop."
Well Hiddink was always a passionate person.
I nodded while pouring wine into his glass.
"You know what? Korea still misses you. You even lifted the league trophy right after taking charge of Leeds United. Because of that everyone's criticizing the Korea Football Association. They're asking why they didn't renew your contract."
Hiddink laughed loudly at my words.
"I gave everything I could in Korea and achieved the best possible results. Even if I had accepted another term as manager I wouldn't have been able to do more. It's better to leave when the applause is still going."
Of course the football association did try to renew his contract.
More accurately they only pretended to try. They didn't like having a capable manager who denied their cartel.
"And… well this might sound bad but honestly I never want to work with the Korea Football Association again. They'd recommend players who weren't good enough for the national team or try to force me to start certain players. The interference was just too much."
Sure enough criticism of the Korea Football Association came from Hiddink's lips.
Hiddink frowned as he lifted his wine glass and took a sip.
"Was it really that bad?"
"Yes. I can't even count how many fights we had. There were many attempts to dismiss me too. Things got so bad I even considered resigning voluntarily. I endured it all for the players."
The complaints kept flowing but I didn't stop him. The Korea Football Association's dirty tricks weren't anything new.
No wonder he lost interest. I just nodded quietly.
Setting down his wine glass Hiddink gave me an odd smile and said.
"More than that… I get calls from journalist friends. After congratulating me they always ask about Charlie. They're more curious about the owner than me. I hear there's already lots of talk about it online."
Ellen said something similar yesterday. She told me Korean media outlets were flooding the club with inquiries about the owner's nationality.
"So what did you tell them?"
Premier League matches were broadcast worldwide.
I had appeared as the owner and addressed the fans directly during that broadcast.
At a club owned by Dream High Investment I gave the speech instead of James.
Of course Korean media couldn't help but take interest.
Shrugging his shoulders Hiddink answered casually.
"I told them there was no reason for me to answer. But Charlie your identity will be revealed one way or another even without me saying anything."
He was right. That's why I deliberately appeared on yesterday's broadcast instead of declining.
If it was going to come out anyway I figured it was better to be known as a Premier League club owner.
The development of the internet was completely changing how information spread through the media.
No matter how much Korean media tried to block news about me there would always be limits.
"From now on if anyone asks just introduce me as the co-CEO of Dream High Investment. You can tell them I'm Korean too."
This much could be revealed to people without issue.
Dream High's image wasn't bad in Korea after all.
"That much is fine to reveal."
"Understood. The calls have been persistent so I was wondering if I should give them something. Thank you."
Hiddink nodded seeming relieved.
Let's move on from small talk to the main topic. I brought up the reason I'd set up this meeting with him player recruitment.
"Manager do you have any other players you want to sign? Please let me know if you have someone in mind."
"Hmm… First I'm thinking of reinforcing our defense more. Ferdinand is doing a great job as our anchor but… Actually Leeds' defense is slightly shakier than our attack right now."
"Is that so? Do you have any players in mind?"
"Charlie before that I have one question."
Adjusting his posture Hiddink met my eyes and asked seriously.
"You're certain about giving me full authority over transfers right?"
"Yes absolutely. I've given you full authority over the squad. Though the executives will handle negotiations for transfer fees and such. We should be able to bring in anyone you want unless they're asking for ridiculous transfer fees."
I didn't want to bring in players who demanded unreasonable transfer fees and salaries just to show off.
We weren't being stingy with money but we weren't going to be taken advantage of either.
Besides bringing in such players could have unpredictable effects on the club.
Hiddink nodded then spoke carefully.
"Then there are quite a few players the team needs. Though transfer fees and wages might be an issue."
"A manager shouldn't worry about money. Just build the squad you want and deliver good results that's all that matters."
At my words Hiddink's lips twitched before forming a faint smile.
"That's good. Many say they give managers full authority but it rarely happens. Even when it's in the contract they can interfere whenever they want."
"You've proven yourself with results Manager. The executives have nothing to gain by interfering with someone who's doing well. The current Leeds executives truly care about the team."
"That's true. Teams like this are rare. As leagues develop and markets grow executives who genuinely love their clubs are becoming scarce. Everyone just sees clubs as money now."
Times were changing as he said. Not just the Premier League but various European leagues were becoming money wars.
Whether a club qualified for the Champions League or not made an enormous difference in their earnings.
Eventually clubs had to make choices. Most were busy settling for reality rather than trying to grow.
A vicious cycle repeated: signing cheap prospects developing them then selling them to wealthy clubs.
Managers' authority weakened while executives' influence grew stronger around this time.
"That's why I quite like this team. Makes me want to stay in charge for a long time."
"What do you think about bringing in Chelsea's Lampard player this time?"
Hiddink brightened at the mention of Lampard.
"Lampard? Of course that would be great. But is Chelsea willing to sell him? I doubt it. He has great stamina and scoring ability why would they sell such an excellent player? Their owner is investing huge amounts in the transfer market too. That's why transfer fees have risen across the board."
I smiled as I replied.
"I made a small bet with Chelsea's owner. We agreed to transfer one desired player based on match results. Thanks to your efforts we can now bring in Lampard."
"Well Charlie making deals like that with players is a bit…"
From a manager's perspective it might seem like a reckless gamble.
After all if we'd lost we would have lost one of our players.
"Of course I understand your concern. I know you care about the players. But there's no need to be too negative. We won after all and now we can bring in an excellent player like Lampard. If we'd done things normally it would have taken quite a while to sign him. Oh or is there perhaps another Chelsea player you'd prefer?"
Hiddink shook his head. While he was worried about the recruitment method Lampard was a great player so Hiddink must have been tempted.
"I like Lampard too. He's still young and fits perfectly with the team I want to build."
"I thought so. He's a great midfielder and I chose him because he seemed to suit your tactics. Are you satisfied?"
"Yes very much. Just a moment please."
He retrieved a notebook and pen from his coat on the hanger and started jotting something down.
He seemed to be rechecking his recruitment list after hearing we could sign Lampard.
I watched him contentedly as I waited.
"Ah sorry. Just organizing some thoughts."
"Not at all. This is even better. So what do you think?"
"If we can sign Lampard I think we'll be able to try many tactical variations."
"Really? Then I'll proceed with it."
"Thank you."
We can move forward with Lampard's transfer process now.
Now it was time to ask about the players Hiddink wanted.
"So now let's hear your opinion Manager. Are there any players you absolutely must have?"
After a moment's thought Hiddink spoke.
"Do you know Wayne Rooney from Everton?"
"Wayne Rooney? Of course I know him. Isn't he the young player who debuted this season?"
"Yes that's right. I see him as a promising talent who could replace Ronaldo. But I hear he's being linked with Manchester United."
Wayne Rooney… Indeed great managers had different eyes for talent.
I'd heard that United's Ferguson was also working hard to sign the still-young Rooney.
"You want that player?"
"Yes. We have Ronaldo now of course. He can play for a few more years but… I want to build the team with a long-term vision rather than just focusing on the immediate few years."
"If he's being linked with United it'll probably cost quite a lot. It might be an expensive transfer fee to spend on one prospect. Do you still definitely want him?"
Hiddink nodded firmly.
"Yes. Even if we have to give up several other players I absolutely want to sign him. If we can develop him under Ronaldo's tutelage while he's still active I think we can turn him into one of the world's top strikers."
It was amazing by now. How does he spot such talent?
I already knew this player would grow into a legendary striker.
But Hiddink had already noticed Rooney's potential after just one season when he was still being called a prospect.
Wanting to sign him even if it meant giving up other players… Those were sincere words. We definitely need to bring him in.
"Understood. We'll use whatever means necessary to sign that player."
"Will it be alright? If we get into a transfer battle with United our club's name value is still lacking."
If you asked anyone now about the Premier League's top club they'd answer Manchester United.
"It's fine. A club's name isn't always crucial in transfer battles. We're Premier League champions. I don't think we're far behind in history and reputation. And we have massive funds that United doesn't. We'll bring him in no matter the cost."
"Then I'll trust you Charlie."
We spent quite a while after that discussing transfers.
The night before departure I was sitting with Wayne Rooney and his agent.
Ellen was seated beside me.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Charlie the owner of Leeds United."
Wayne Rooney who would come to be known as the pitch's troublemaker was still a young boy with a fresh face.
"Hello I'm Wayne Rooney."
"I'm Paul Stretford the agent."
After brief introductions we got straight to the point.
"I want to bring Wayne Rooney to Leeds. What would it take to make that happen?"
Though roundabout it was essentially asking how much money it would take.
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