章節 364: Chapter 364: Next Time, I Expect to Win
The second half kicked off with fierce back-and-forth action, keeping the fans entertained.
Chelsea pushed up their defensive line and attacked aggressively, scoring early in the second half.
"Haha! It's a goal! A goal!"
Roman clapped his hands with joy, laughing loudly as if to take revenge for what had just happened to me.
"Now it's tied. Let's see how it unfolds from here."
I replied with a casual smile while Roman resumed his seat.
"Didn't I tell you? Watching the match together like this after taking over each other's clubs is so much fun!"
"It really is. Surprisingly enjoyable. There's a sense of competition too."
I answered calmly, though my attention was solely on the game.
Eventually, midway through the second half, Chelsea scored again, causing me to furrow my brow.
"It's a comeback!"
Roman erupted into another loud laugh, but I couldn't join in this time.
Fifteen minutes remained, and even if they managed to score again, Chelsea would claim the runner-up spot.
After a moment of expressing his joy with his whole body, Roman sat down awkwardly when I reacted calmly.
"Was I too happy?"
"Of course you had reason to be. But it's still early to celebrate."
I couldn't stand losing, especially with Roman sitting right next to me.
Time passed mercilessly, and just after the 40-minute mark, Ronaldo's left-footed shot shook Chelsea's net.
I nodded slightly, a hint of a smile on my face.
In contrast, Ellen and Aili in the backseat were shouting with excitement.
"Now it's tied!"
As I said this, Roman chuckled mischievously.
"Even if the match ends in a draw, we still come in second."
With regulation time over, the match entered stoppage time.
And in an unbelievable moment, Ronaldo scored one last goal.
He glided past the goalkeeper with a fantastic feint and gently tapped the ball into the net with his right foot.
Unable to hold back, I jumped up from my seat, fists clenched in joy.
"Goal! That's it!"
Roman glanced at the scoreboard, his expression turning sour.
With less than a minute left, it seemed unlikely they could turn the match around.
The final whistle soon echoed across the stadium, as Leeds United's home ground was filled with the sounds of cheering fans.
Roman stood up first and extended his hand.
"We lost this year, Charlie, but next season, we will claim the championship."
"Ha ha, we have no intention of conceding. It was an exciting match."
Considering he had just teased me, that was surprisingly calm.
I called out to Roman as he was about to leave.
"Roman, please contact me as soon as you get updates on the situation in Russia. I'll keep an eye on it too, but surely you'll be quicker than I am?"
"Understood. I'll check and get back to you."
Roman nodded and replied.
After he left, I turned my gaze back to the field.
All the Chelsea players were heading to the locker room, while the Leeds players remained to greet the fans.
I looked at the faces of those players and turned away.
Looking back, I saw Aili and Han Gyeong-yeong hugging each other in joy, which made me smile unconsciously.
"This guy's flirting in a sacred soccer field."
Either they didn't hear me or didn't care, Aili and Han Gyeong-yeong had no intention of separating.
"Ha ha, let them be. They're just happy."
Just then, Ellen approached me.
"Aren't you concerned seeing your daughter acting like that?"
"She's already beyond my control. She's not a child anymore. And right now… well, I probably would have acted the same if my wife were beside me."
As expected, Ellen's face radiated with happiness.
I couldn't tell if her joy was from winning against Chelsea, but the smile wouldn't leave her lips.
"Honestly, I had many worries. I had to let go of most of the long-time staff and restructured the club. I was concerned about how we could manage this season, but I'm relieved I could show results."
"That's thanks to your efforts, Ellen."
"Thank you. But it's also a result of Charlie and James believing in me. Other clubs don't do this. Just look at Roman, the owner we saw earlier; he runs the team the way he wants."
Ellen humbly returned the compliment. I smiled back at her sincerity.
Meanwhile, the Leeds players finished their greetings and left the field.
Still, the fans remained, singing songs and celebrating their championship.
Watching the fans with a satisfied smile, I said to Ellen,
"Ellen, I think we should build a new stadium."
"A new stadium? Are you suggesting an expansion?"
"No, I believe it would be better to build an entirely new stadium. Let this one remain as part of the club's history. If we turn it into a museum or tourist site, the fans shouldn't complain too much."
"Hmm… it will cost a lot. Even with support from the city."
I shook my head. Relying on someone else's support would always come with strings attached.
"I don't intend to seek support from the city."
"But…"
Ellen hesitated, but I wasn't going to build a stadium with someone else's money and have to worry about it.
"Of course, it would be great to get support, but I think building a stadium with our own funds is a better approach. Find suitable land with that understanding. If we can build a new stadium without spending taxpayer money, we could get decent land in Leeds."
Ellen seemed to agree that we needed a new stadium, nodding in agreement.
"What's the expected size of the new stadium?"
"Old Trafford is currently the most famous, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Shouldn't it at least be bigger than that? After all, it's the Rose Derby; we're rivals, aren't we?"
Ellen, who had been quietly pondering, suddenly added something.
"Oh, I've heard they're planning to expand through renovations this time."
"So how many spectators can it accommodate?"
"It should be around seventy thousand."
I pondered for a moment after Ellen's words and replied.
"Then let's aim to build ours even larger. Let's start construction targeting eighty thousand, and if Old Trafford expands, we'll adjust our designs accordingly."
"Charlie, that would require an astronomical amount of money. It's said that Manchester City's Etihad Stadium construction costs exceeded one hundred million pounds. A stadium larger than that will likely exceed two hundred million pounds. Manchester City built their stadium with city funds and leased it for 250 years, which lightens the burden for the club, but…"
Hearing this was a familiar worry. I smiled at Ellen, who was concerned about finances.
"Whatever the cost, it doesn't matter. I told you there's no need to worry about finances while I'm the owner of the club."
"Still… I'm afraid of taking risks with such investments when our revenue structure isn't properly set yet."
Leeds had once been on the verge of bankruptcy.
Ellen's hesitation seemed driven by fear of such a past repeating itself.
However, now was the best time to invest.
If money begins pouring into football clubs worldwide, it'll be too late.
Player valuations are rising, and to reduce the side effects of club owners acquiring players with their capital, UEFA imposed the Financial Fair Play regulations on football clubs.
This rule was created when Roman emerged as a new powerhouse in European football with his wealth, and Mansour, with even more money, acquired Manchester City.
From that point on, club owners were restricted from freely investing in clubs with their own capitals.
"I don't care about the costs. The club's basic infrastructure is vital. Expand the club house and the training facility, Top Arch. And increase the facilities for youth development. All expenditures will come from my pocket, not the club's finances."
There was no reason to miss the right moment to invest without any constraints.
Ellen's hesitation soon vanished, replaced by a cold determination.
"Are you really okay with that?"
"Ellen, James and I have more money than you think. Ah, I'm not bragging about money here."
"Understood. I will negotiate with Leeds city and then present the report to you."
"There's no need to report to me; just discuss the details with James."
I called out to Han Gyeong-yeong, who was still hugging Aili.
"Hey, enough of that. Come over here."
As I called, Han Gyeong-yeong finally separated from Aili and came down the stairs.
I briefly explained the situation to him and asked for the financial support Ellen wanted.
"Even if you're in the U.S., make sure to keep an eye on club matters. You just need to communicate with Aili; didn't you say you're responsible for club finances?"
Han Gyeong-yeong nodded.
"It's best for someone I trust to handle the finances. That doesn't mean Aili lacks ability, of course."
If Han Gyeong-yeong said this, it meant Aili was indeed capable, just like Ellen.
"Ellen, I hope the new stadium can be completed as soon as possible based on our earlier directions. Even if we start construction now, it will take two to three years."
I turned my gaze back down to the stadium where fans were slowly starting to leave.
The stadium was gradually emptying, but the joy of victory still lingered.
"Still, it feels good that the club I own achieved a good result. Next time, I expect to win."
A cool breeze brushed against my cheek.
* * *
After completing my schedule in the UK, I returned to Korea.
I immediately summoned Kim Byung-woo, chairman of Jungwoo Group, and Lee Sang-geun, chairman of Jungwoo Construction, to Pyeongchang-dong.
Not long after contacting them, Kim Byung-woo arrived first.
"Long time no see, Chairman."
Kim Byung-woo greeted me with a slight bow.
"Boss, it's been a while."
"Please, have a seat. Chairman Lee Sang-geun will arrive soon."
After a light gesture, Kim Byung-woo took his seat. Once he was settled, I asked,
"How's Ilseong?"
"Same as ever. But there's one strange rumor circulating. Since Seo Yong-geon collapsed, Vice Chairman Seo Jae-hoon has taken over management, right?"
"Yes, that's right. What rumor is making the rounds?"
"There's chatter in the financial sector that Ilseong Electronics is up for sale."
Shocked by the unexpected news, I asked.
"Is Ilseong Electronics really going to be sold? That's Il-seong Group's core business. Is it confirmed?"
"No official statement has been made yet, but given the tight finance at Ilseong Group, it's hard to dismiiss it as mere rumor."
As I swallowed my saliva, Kim Byung-woo elaborated.
"With finances drying up, Vice Chairman Seo Jae-hoon may need to sell off several affiliates to ensure a smooth transition of management. While they may not sell Ilseong Electronics as a whole, I believe they might part with their semiconductor sector."
The chicken game in the semiconductor market had started much earlier than history indicated and had been ongoing for a long time.
Several of Japan's semiconductor companies had already exited the business.
The memory semiconductor industries concentrated in Korea, the U.S., and Taiwan were now nearing their end.
I predict that within a year, the U.S. and South Korean governments will increase pressure on them.
"So they're really considering abandoning semiconductors…"
Whether Seo Jae-hoon would actually drop semiconductors was uncertain, but if they did sell, I had to acquire it.
"You wouldn't have mentioned it just upon hearing mere gossip, would you? Do you have any suspicions?"
Kim Byung-woo met my gaze with a stern expression.
"Secretary Lee Seok-min left for Japan yesterday. The person who hadn't moved from the hospital since Seo Yong-geon collapsed."
"Secretary Lee Seok-min left for Japan?"
"Yes. Just to be safe, I contacted Black Secret to track his movements."
Black Secret was the Korean branch of Black Bear.
"Reports say Lee Seok-min visited Toshiba as soon as he landed in Japan."
"Toshiba…"
Among Japanese semiconductor companies, Toshiba was one of the few that remained afloat.
"Yes. Suddenly, Secretary Lee Seok-min arrived in Japan and visited Toshiba without delay. It points to one conclusion."
There's no question about what that conclusion was.
I muttered in a firm voice.
"That means they're planning to sell their memory division to Toshiba."
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