54 – Boastful Promises of the Past
054
As Willem von Rodebeyk, the coach of 1860 Munich, checked his plans ahead of the upcoming season, he examined the roster of players.
Among familiar names, signs of releases or contract terminations catch his eye here and there.
Although 1860 Munich confidently joined the Bundesliga this season, the team was more accustomed to the 2nd and 3rd divisions than the 1st division. Just until last year, they were struggling in the 2nd division. Three years ago, they were even in the 3rd division.
Unfortunately, 1860 Munich is considered the weakest in the Bundesliga, facing the risk of relegation as the top candidate.
Even teams that promoted by dominating the 2nd division worry about relegation in the 1st division, let alone Munich, which hasn’t even dominated the 2nd division. It’s a natural evaluation.
Of course, to avoid the harsh reality of relegation, a lot of preparation was needed.
For example, a complete overhaul of the player roster.
‘Unfortunately, these guys aren’t cut out for the 1st division.’
Willem von Rodebeyk swallowed his bitterness as he looked at the list of players he released.
For Willem, who started his coaching career at the current club, there is no player that is not precious.
From the moment unprepared Willem took the coaching reins as an interim coach to the enthusiasm everyone had towards promotion until last year, the past two years have been as impressive.
Bitter as it may be, this is reality, and this is the professional world.
Players without talent get released, but,
‘As for acquisitions… are these two the only ones?’
The pursuit of talented players was an unrelenting endeavor.
Willem’s eyes scanned the newly confirmed roster at the bottom of the list, where players, secured after Boardin’s relentless efforts, were added.
Below the players released and those whose contracts had been terminated, were the two young players, just 17 years old.
“Did we really acquire these youngsters? How…?”
The scouting team had initially advocated for the recruitment of the first two players.
At the tender age of just 17, not even from Europe or South America but from Asia, these promising talents were initially overlooked, even ridiculed as a waste of money.
Yet, as the two players continued to shine, Willem Van Roodeveek, after witnessing their performance firsthand, became an ardent supporter of their recruitment.
Their brilliance was undeniable to anyone.
However, this made Willem hesitate to finalize the acquisition of the two players.
Could someone else recognize talent as unmistakably as he did?
“I heard over ten clubs were vying for them… And they chose us over all those teams?”
It wasn’t the kind of talent a team recently promoted could secure.
It wasn’t a prospect overlooked by clubs worrying about relegation.
Yet, they succeeded in the acquisition—
“How much did Boardin splurge? How much did he spend to end our transfers with these two for the season!”
It meant overspending.
It meant shouting out initially to secure a player beyond what the club could afford.
And this was the result.
In the harsh reality that the signings for the season ended with these two players, Willem Van Roodeveek clenched his teeth in frustration.
Players who couldn’t dominate in the second division—how would they fare in the first division? Especially considering his excessively aggressive management style, criticized for not becoming an underdog even if he tried.
At this rate, could they avoid relegation?
The truth was he desired the two promising talents from Korea.
They possessed tremendous talent and a style that Willem Van Roodeveek would appreciate.
However… No, not like this.
The talents of the two players were certainly noteworthy, but talent alone could only go so far.
What they needed immediately were players who could survive in the first division, not just promising ones for the future.
No matter how remarkable the talents of the two promising Koreans were, they were still amateurs who had never proven themselves on the professional stage, not even 18 years old.
Willem Van Roodeveek, immersed in deep frustration, rose from his seat as he received a call from the coach.
It’s training time.
And it was also the first meeting with the rookies that the team had recruited for this season.
“If all we’ve got are young talents, we can’t help it. We’ll have to make the most of them.”
Having completed all the preparations and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the two players, Willem van Rodebaek finally faced the newcomers and felt a sensation.
“It looks much more… challenging than I thought?”
Indeed, it looked too challenging.
Looking at their smooth faces without a trace of beard, you wouldn’t find it strange to think they were in their early teens. Judging by their relatively sturdy bodies, you could give them the benefit of the doubt and say they were in their mid-teens.
However, even for Willem van Rodebaek, who was surprised by the youthful appearance that seemed impossible for boys on the verge of turning 18, looks didn’t really matter.
“Young ones, the captain will guide you. Follow him, change into your uniforms, and join me.”
While the two newcomers went into the locker room to change into their uniforms, Willem van Rodebaek divided the team for the practice match.
“Hey, Jimmy, you’re on this side. Oh, Jan! You’ll be with the other team.”
It was quite a confusing arrangement.
Usually, teams are divided into starters and substitutes, but this time, it was randomly mixed.
“What? Why are you coming this way? Isn’t it over there?”
“The coach said it’s here, right?”
“Huh? Why am I in the substitute team… Hey, you too?”
Players chattered with puzzled expressions, as the lineup was so randomly mixed that it was difficult to claim whether they were starters or substitutes.
“Is it a test for the attacking line?”
“No, with the defense completely mixed, maybe they want to see how the defensive line holds up?”
“We’re the same. I’ve never synchronized with Rodel before. Sorry, but our back three is doomed.”
It was natural for the players to express their doubts about the chaotic arrangement, as the mastermind behind this, Willem van Rodebaek, had mixed things up without much thought!
“Heh… Well, good. This chaotic smell is nice.”
Willem van Rodebaek, watching the players move around in confusion, was satisfied and chuckled.
This chaos was exactly what he wanted.
But chaos was not the ultimate goal. It was just part of the process.
“Attackers, gather here. Judging by the situation of the defenders, getting a good pass is going to be tough. We have to play with the idea of solving it ourselves. First, focus on Poulsen—”
“Hey! Hey hey, attention! We’ve still synchronized occasionally, so there’s no problem. Got it? Pay attention to my lead. Don’t wander off on your own, and keep your ears open. Got it?”
It was all part of the process to see this very moment.
Amidst the confusion, small groups formed around certain players.
Willem van Rodenbeek observed this closely.
This was exactly what he wanted, or rather, the reason he, an unprepared coach suddenly thrust into the role, could survive. He needed a field commander who could fill in the gaps in his tactical knowledge, someone who could catch the subtle details left empty, even when the broad strokes were well executed.
Because Willem wouldn’t give up the aggression that the media had labeled as ‘madness’ even in the top league.
When a relatively weaker team employed an aggressive play against a stronger team, things seldom went as expected. The carefully laid plans would crumble, and more often than not, they’d find themselves swept away by the opponent’s fierce counterattack.
Yet, in the midst of all this, there were players who could remain calm. Players who could handle minor variables with momentary judgment. Players who could display a spark of wit even when trailing behind.
Only such players could lift a seemingly weak team like Munich from relegation.
And—
“Coach, we’re ready.”
“Let’s start. Tell the newcomers to join the teams they desire. Let’s see how quickly they adapt, right on the spot.”
Despite being promising players, the thought of a debutant keeping up with the tempo crossed Willem’s mind, unlike the relief one might feel if they could.
From Noble mtl dot com
“A joint goal by two newcomers…?”
The two stars from Korea had already surpassed the team’s tempo.
***
He played in the Bundesliga for three years, but Ji-tae Joo didn’t know Coach Willem van Rodenbeek well.
By the time Ji-tae entered the Bundesliga, Coach Willem had already moved to another league.
However, Ji-tae knew what this coach, famous for his eccentricity, valued and wanted.
“Show your play rather than adjusting to your teammates. The coach wants that momentary brilliance from you on the ball. Just give him the confidence that you can score in any situation.”
Jae-sin just smiled at Ji-tae’s advice.
“That’s my specialty.”
And he proved to be a natural goal-scorer in practice matches.
The innate talent to connect a goal at any moment, any posture, any situation—a talent that even the versatile Ji-tae lacked.
Though they both started as forwards, Ji-tae eventually shifted to midfield. Part of the reason was his envy of the innate goal sense he couldn’t possess.
“Wow! Is this guy really a center-back? How does a center-back shake off pressure so well?”
“Hey, what’s your name? Ji… what? Anyway, play midfield. The ability to see the field in an instant and pass accurately is a natural midfielder’s gift, aside from goal sense.”
Except for the goal sense, Jae-sin was confident that he excelled in every aspect.
The first half of the 30-minute match ended 3-0.
As the team led by Ju Ji-tae and Cho Jae-shin. No, to be precise, led by Ju Ji-tae and Cho Jae-shin.
Ju Ji-tae’s gaze turned towards Coach Wilhelm, who was receiving applause from the sidelines.
In the first round, Coach Wilhelm led a team, not having played against them before, and had faced them only twice… Those two games were undoubtedly impressive.
They won both, but even in victory, the impressive performance at that time was quite challenging—
“If you had faced me early on, history would have changed. I would have become the world’s best coach, and you, the world’s best player.”
That glorious, truly ‘insane’ nickname suited him perfectly.
“I proved that I could be the best. How about you? Can you become the best player and the best coach, as you said back then?”
He possessed the potential to be the best, wielding a sword to cut through anything and providing a shield to defend and counter. Now, all that remained was how well he could wield the sword and shield.
No matter how sharp the sword or sturdy the shield, if the wielder couldn’t use them properly, they were useless. Whether he would truly become the best coach Wilhelm von Rodebajke or just a villain spouting nonsense depended on him.
