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On the eve of the Champions League Group Stage matchday three between Dortmund and Manchester City.

According to UEFA rules, Dortmund conducted their adaptation training at Manchester City’s home ground, the Etihad Stadium, starting from the evening.

“The grass is taller than I expected.”

“When passing, I need to put a little more strength into it.”

As the length of the grass changes according to the coach’s tactical preference, the adaptation training was essential for a fair match.

After finishing their adaptation training, the Dortmund players returned to their accommodation while discussing the upcoming game.

“By the way, those Man City guys have insane physicality.”

“Who? Yaya Touré?”

“No, I mean in general.”

Mario Götze, who was recovering from an injury, jumped into the conversation between Kevin Großkreutz and Son Jinho.

“Honestly, shouldn’t football have weight classes too?”

“It’s not a fighting sport, having weight classes would make it boring.”

Then followed the humorous banter between Kevin Großkreutz and Mario Götze. Son Jinho quietly listened as the two chatted.

“What if some crazy guy starts throwing punches in the stadium?”

“The referee would just send him off.”

“What if they commit a foul and don’t get caught?”

“How can you hit someone without getting caught? Just claim you brainwashed the referee with a hypnosis app, right?”

“If I had a hypnosis app, it would be a waste just to brainwash the referee.”

“Then what would you use it for?”

“…World domination?”

At Mario Götze’s adolescent-like reply, Son Jinho let out a soft laugh. World domination, how childish.

The warm smile of veteran midfielder Son Jinho turned toward Mario Götze, who made a disgruntled expression.

“…Jinho, your expression is kind of off-putting. What would you do if you had a hypnosis app?”

Son Jinho rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

“Hmm… not a meal… but a lifelong deal with Ferguson?”

After returning to their accommodation, I contacted Jisong-hyung.

– Ho-woo: Ah. I should have met you since I came to Manchester, but damn;;

– Jisong: We can see each other next time.

Last season, even in normal condition, Jisong-hyung couldn’t play for five consecutive games.

At that time, he was so stressed that he resorted to drinking.

As a fellow football player, I could understand Jisong-hyung’s feelings to some extent. There’s nothing more painful for a footballer than not being able to participate in matches.

Moreover, with Jisong being called a football hero in South Korea, the burden of disappointing fans by not playing must have been significant.

[‘Park Jisong Transfer Rumors’, What kind of club is QPR?]

And the result was the transfer to QPR in the original history.

[‘“Claims of Denying Transfer” Park Jisong will retire at Manchester United.]

But this time was different.

[Manchester United seeks to recruit Son Jinho through Park Jisong.]

The higher-ups at Manchester United and Ferguson discussed my situation, hoping to help me acclimate.

[‘A beautiful sacrifice of a senior for his junior? The beautiful reason Park Jisong stays at Manchester United!’]

After much deliberation, Jisong-hyung reportedly accepted Manchester United’s offer.

– Ho-woo: Are you really staying because of me?

– Jisong: Well… to some extent, it’s because of you.

After hesitating, Jisong-hyung suddenly began to speak seriously.

– Jisong: I received a lot of support from the public, and I felt that I should repay them with my performance, but at some point, it became a burden.

– Jisong: But seeing players like you, Seong-ryong, Cheong-ryong, Hong-min, Jachil, and Dong-won — the overseas players increasing and performing well — somehow made me feel it was okay to retire now.

– Jisong: They say being a senior means paving the way for juniors, right?

– Jisong: Looking back, I think I did well enough.

– Ho-woo: To us, you were like Messi.

As I started to worship him unexpectedly, Jisong-hyung, feeling embarrassed, naturally shifted the topic.

– Jisong: Anyway, so you’re coming to Man U, right? It’s weird if you said you’re coming to Man U and you don’t show up.

– Ho-woo: I’ll have to discuss the contract, but it seems like I’ll go if Gerson doesn’t retire.

– Jisong: Yeah. So, if you come, let me know in advance. I want to be prepared mentally, haha.

– Ho-woo: Got it!

– Jisong: By the way, it’s late, so you should get some sleep. You have a game tomorrow.

– Ho-woo: Aren’t you tired, hyung? Haha.

– Jisong: Yeah, haha. I started as a starter for the first time in a while, and my knees are aching. I’m going to sleep.

After finishing my chat with Jisong-hyung, I found myself spaced out for a while.

And then I thought, why did I want to become a football player?

– Gyeouri: Hey Son Jinho, haven’t you finished training yet? Why aren’t you contacting your sister?

Ah.

That’s right.

When I was young, I naturally started playing football by following Han Gyeouri while watching matches at our house, and it seems I nurtured a dream of becoming a football player to impress her.

And after seeing Jisong-hyung performing at Manchester United, I thought I wanted to play in Europe too.

‘Just something that popped into my head…’

If I transfer to Manchester United, it might not be bad to inherit Jisong-hyung’s jersey number.

The number 13 isn’t symbolic in the football world, but it holds extraordinary significance for South Korean football fans and me.

– Gyeouri: Why aren’t you replying when you saw it? T_T

– Gyeouri: (crying bunny emoji)

Anyway, that night.

– Ho-woo: Sorry T_T I was thinking about something for a moment T_T

– Gyeouri: What were you thinking about?

– Gyeouri: Don’t tell me! A perverted thought!?

– Ho-woo: No, haha. I was just thinking about why I started football back in the day.

– Gyeouri: You started football to impress me, haha.

I spent a while reminiscing with Gyeouri before drifting off to sleep.

– Gyeouri: Do you remember this photo?

– Gyeouri: (Son Jinho holding Han Gyeouri’s hand while crying photo)

– Gyeouri: You cried because I wouldn’t play with you.

– Ho-woo: Ah, haha, I remember.

– Gyeouri: Sigh… Son Jinho was really cute back then.

– Ho-woo: Am I not cute now?

– Ho-woo: (sullen panda emoji)

– Gyeouri: Now you’re not cute; you’re handsome, hehe.

– Ho-woo: Hahahahahaha.

– Ho-woo: Gyeouri, do you remember this photo by any chance?

– Ho-woo: (Han Gyeouri getting punished for drawing on the blanket .jpg)

– Gyeouri: Hey!! Delete that right now!!

– Ho-woo: Hahahahahahahahahaha.

– Gyeouri: *incoherent whining*

The next day.

As match time approached, Dortmund moved to the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City’s home ground.

Around the stadium, fans in sky-blue uniforms were visible.

I thought about Manchester City’s owner, Mansour.

Contrary to the concerns of Manchester City fans regarding Mansour’s acquisition of the club, he demonstrated an exemplary model of ownership, positioning Manchester City at the top of European football.

Well, there were various controversies along the way… but at least he was undeniably a better owner than the Glazers, who were all about siphoning off club money.

And personally, I thought it was excellent that elite individuals were placed throughout the organization.

Because of that, didn’t it receive praise for having one of the best internal systems in European football?

Later, Jim Ratcliffe, who would become the owner of Manchester United, also mentioned that the football operations and internal systems of Manchester City weren’t built overnight, and that they should learn a lot by observing their noisy neighbors.

That’s the truth.

In my opinion, Manchester United was an absolute monarchy ruled by King Ferguson.

Such systems produce synergy and develop rapidly when meeting outstanding individuals like Ferguson and CEO David Gill, but they are doomed to collapse if even slightly underqualified individuals come on board.

And this was proven when Mourinho and Ed Woodward opened the Great Manchester United era.

The reason I wanted to prevent Ferguson’s retirement was precisely this.

As the saying goes, if King Munjong had lived for another ten years, wouldn’t the history of Joseon have changed?

Delaying Ferguson’s retirement could change a lot of things, right?

Of course, I’m very conscientious, so I don’t wish for ten years.

Just five years.

I plan to ask him to stay on as manager for five more years.

Since the case of Sejo destroying the systems in Joseon was different from United’s, when Ferguson retires, it’s likely to return to the pre-Mourinho state.

But if we win the Big Ear within five years, then after that…

Wouldn’t it be just about happily playing football with a salary of 770 million?

***

– Gyeouri: Oh! The match has started!

– Father-in-law: Gyeouri, is it true that Mansour laid heaters at every seat in the Man City home ground?

– Gyeouri: Not every seat; just the VIP seats and some parts.

– Gyeouri: But honestly, it feels like a waste of money on heaters.

– Gyeouri: (Dortmund fans erupting in flames .gif)

– Gyeouri: They should just have self-heating like us, haha.

– Father-in-law: It definitely seems that Dortmund needs sprinklers more than heaters.

 

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