04. I Am Mansfield's Manager (1)
"It's abysmal. It's terrible. It gives me the creeps."
I lowered my voice.
For fear that the young players, who were ecstatically running around because they had scored a goal, might hear.
But I couldn't just suppress it completely.
"Passing, physical battles, speed, clearing, nothing is working."
At least the winger's inward movement as instructed, and fullback James's sprint without looking back, did manage to create a goal.
But I couldn't relax my expression.
"Isn't that offside?"
The header from the goal-scoring attacker was offside.
But what could be done? There wasn't even a referee here.
"Moreover, if you overlap, someone needs to cover that wide space."
Even seeing the blatant overlap, no one covered the space.
Literally, the space was wide open.
If the overlap had failed and the ball had gone to the other side, a perfect counter-attack would have been created with a single pass.
"Of course, it doesn't seem like the other side has the capability to counter-attack either..."
A bitter laugh escaped me.
One thing was certain.
"Calling up youth players is out of the question."
It wasn't for nothing that I had watched this practice and given a few instructions.
Considering the club's current meager player situation, it was a time when even youth players might need to be brought in.
Regrettably, it was visible at a glance.
There wasn't a single player who could be used. I hadn't fully grasped the level of the 4th division yet, but that wasn't professional level. I had to understand. They were just kids.
'However.'
"Are you the new manager?"
A man with a stern face and a heavy impression.
John Jenkinson.
Currently Mansfield's captain, and a one-club man who had never left the team.
The so-called Mr. Mansfield.
"I am John Jenkinson."
Jenkinson extended his hand. Looking at his large hand, I placed both of mine on my hips.
"Yes. But, was today's training canceled?"
"...You could say that."
"It wasn't that the players didn't show up because it was canceled, but rather it was automatically canceled because the players didn't show up, I see."
His complexion, as he withdrew the hand he had extended for a handshake with an embarrassed face, changed subtly. I paid no heed and asked.
"What about the coaches? I know from the documents that two coaches remain. Why are they not seen? There are no coaches or doctors, who authorized this practice match?"
"...Is the practice wrong?"
"Yes. It is wrong."
Jenkinson didn't reply and just stared at me. Jenkinson's physique was 194cm tall and weighed around 90kg. In a word, he had a commanding presence.
But somehow, there was no sense of an intimidating aura.
"With no coaches, no team doctor, no physical trainer, what do you plan to do if someone gets injured during training?"
"...!"
"A coach doesn't just stand on the touchline with arms crossed and hands in pockets. They check the players' condition, identify if there's a risk of injury, calm down strong clashes when players get heated during training, that's why a coach supervises training."
Jenkinson's face flushed faintly.
"The coaches... came, but because the players didn't show up at the training ground, they canceled today's training and went home."
"But what about you?"
"Training, must be done."
"Yes, I know. Players must train. But my question is why you remained, not listening to the coaches."
"!"
"Perhaps, what, you're thinking something like, 'I am different from the other players who refused to train. I am the only one supporting the team.' Is that what you're thinking?"
"Your words, are a bit excessive, sir. For a first meeting."
"A first meeting..."
I smiled bitterly and shook my head.
"Whether it's the players who don't even show up for training, or those who remain and train despite the coaches' cancellation order, isn't it all the same in disobeying the coaches' instructions?"
"That's!"
Jenkinson was about to open his mouth to say something but let out a sigh as if to suppress his anger.
He glared at me with cold eyes, then turned his back and disappeared without a word.
His retreating figure lingered on my retina for a long time.
Suddenly, I felt a tightness in my chest.
I abruptly made a call.
―Did you check out the clubhouse already?
"There wasn't much to see for long."
―Huh? There are still many things that changed from when you were there.
"There were many different things. The players didn't even show up for training."
―Ha... That's really, driving me crazy.
"I figured it wasn't just once or twice."
―Did you meet the coaches?
"They canceled training and went home."
―As expected.
Lily's reaction had a nuance of 'I knew it.'
―So, you didn't meet anyone?
"Jack And John Jenkinson."
―Ah! You'd remember them both! Those two have been with the club since we were kids, right? How's Jenkinson? Looks like only our captain showed up for training, right?
"Well, the impression that time is too cruel, perhaps?"
―Mm-hm? What do you mean by that? Ah, perhaps his skills have declined compared to his prime....
"Rather than his skills declining, he's become too much of an adult, more than I expected."
―...I don't understand what you're saying at all.
"He's gotten old, too quietly."
―What, are you planning to retire him or something?
At her startled voice, I lightly shook my head.
"It's not like that. It's just, the Jenkinson in my memory has aged too much. He endures too well."
―Really, can you stop with your cryptic way of speaking? Huh? You're the manager now and I'm the chairwoman, okay?
"Ah, yes. Chairwoman. The new manager has much to discuss, so would you care to have a meal together?"
...…
"Did you set a date?"
"Yes. Next Thursday."
"You set it quickly, didn't you?"
"I need to finish it quickly and get back on my feet. There isn't just one or two things I need to do right now."
Lily replied, glancing at the surrounding tables.
Her eyes settled on one spot and didn't easily move away.
"Why are you making such deer eyes over a glass of wine?"
"It's not just a glass of wine, it's market research. Market research. We only distill whiskey, but it's not like we don't know wine."
"You won't be able to do tastings for a while, that's a big problem."
"Well, it's okay. The distillery is actually run well by the elders who worked there since my father's time, they're all experts. The real problem... sigh, is our club."
"We need to operate quickly."
"Huh? I told you the surgery date is next week."
"No, I mean the club's surgery. We're going to do a full laparotomy and bring in the scalpel."
Lily's eyes, which had been listlessly munching on salad like a weak cow chewing cud, sparkled.
"Naturally, it'll start with the coaching staff, right? You said they just canceled training and went home yesterday?"
Lily, as if she had expected it, took out documents from her bag.
They were the resumes of two people.
A middle-aged man with an impressive mustache and a relatively young, handsome man.
"The one with the mustache there is tactical coach Allov McGinn. He's been with our team for 8 years, and as you can see, he has a pretty solid career. Even when managers changed several times, every new manager wanted to work with him."
"If it's been 8 years, that means he was there when the team was in the Championship, right?"
"That's right. He's a coach we recruited during our Championship days."
"He still hasn't left the team even after dropping to the 4th division? Is it loyalty?"
Lily smiled bitterly.
"No. A penalty clause."
"A hefty one."
"Extremely hefty!"
"Who made that contract?"
"One of the many club owners before me, I suppose?"
"That figures."
"He's a capable coach, and perhaps because he has affection for the team, he apparently re-signed even while lowering his own wages. Instead, the penalty clause became incredibly severe as a trade-off."
Lily said so, glancing at my expression.
"...If you look at it and decide to cut him, I can turn a blind eye."
The penalty clause was severe. But it was almost customary for coaches to be replaced when a manager changed. The contract would be terminated even by paying the penalty.
However, in a case like this, the penalty was unusually severe. Moreover, even such a penalty was a burden on the club's current finances. But Lily's face showed she was willing to consider that much.
"Looking at it, it seems you've already decided to fire him several times?"
"Phew, of course. Yesterday's incident wasn't just once or twice. He wasn't originally like that, but with managers constantly changing, dropping to the 4th division, and news about our team going bankrupt appearing daily... He's just trying to get paid for the contract period. Like a leech! And then get the penalty payment if he's fired!"
"What about this man here?"
"Ah, that's Alenski. Physical coach. He joined our team 2 years ago."
"Short."
"He came with the previous manager. This guy also has a hefty penalty clause."
"His ability?"
"His reputation among the players is good, but..."
"Usually, a coach who is unconditionally good to players is rarely a good coach in reality."
"That's right. To put it nicely, he's a coach who is friendly and informal like a friend... To put it badly, he has the air of a loafer."
"Drinking and fooling around?"
"Even with the players."
My brow furrowed automatically. This is terrible.
"The players like to hang out with him. He meets women well too."
"Alcohol and women. And with the players. Terrible. With what talent?"
"Well, he's handsome, isn't he?"
"Handsome?"
"Yes. He's handsome, isn't he."
"Isn't he too greasy-looking?"
"That's usually in the category of handsome."
"..."
"Oh my? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Lily smiled brightly and rested her chin on her hand. I spoke nonchalantly.
"We have to cut him."
"Gasp. Is it that a hint of jealousy?"
"What are you talking about? Are you already under anesthesia from the surgery? There's a saying, 'new wine in new bottles,' you know."
"Are you talking about wine to a distillery owner right now?"
Lily smiled brightly, then her expression gradually hardened.
"This one can't be easily cut. Even without the penalty clause."
"I thought so. Factions, right?"
"!"
"Since there are only two coaches, it wouldn't be factions among the coaching staff. It's that the players are divided into groups following these two, right?"
"That's right. The players who've been around for a while really follow Coach Allov. Some even call him father. The younger players, of course, like Alenski. But how did you know?"
"Because it didn't seem like they'd be satisfied with just biding their time and receiving money for the contract period. For instance... there's a thing called 'mood,' isn't there?"
"Mood?"
"Being revered as 'Coach, Coach' here and there."
"Is there such a thing?"
Surprisingly, such things were important in people's lives.
"There's no manager, the club owner is a rookie, the club management is a supporters' trust so they have no power, in this situation, who would know the most about club operations?"
"...The two coaches."
"Do you think the players don't know that?"
"!"
"A manager coming to a team like this inevitably wouldn't be able to form his own staff. So, it's common to receive advice from the existing coaches."
"Are you saying the players know that and are lining up behind those two?"
"Well, it's probably a bit of everything. There's lining up, there's nothing wrong with getting close, and also, their bodies are comfortable without tough training, right?"
He was the kind of coach who, if players didn't participate in training, wouldn't warn them but just issue a cancellation notice.
A professional player would rather despise such behavior, but well. In this failing club, there was no discipline left.
"Then we'll have to fire them. Coaches who usurp authority instead of the manager."
"We should at least see their faces first."
"Huh?"
When I took out my phone, Lily's eyes widened in surprise.
"Now?"
"Yes, now."
"Here, of all places?"
"Here."
"Weren't we... having dinner?"
"We've almost finished eating, haven't we?"
"This is one of the few decent restaurants in this backwater town of Mansfield, and it's a dinner for just the two of us after over a decade... and you're going to work?"
Lily showed a flustered expression. I shrugged my shoulders.
"I even dressed up nicely like this?"
"Good job."
"Huh?"
"Because it's this kind of place. Because it's this kind of atmosphere. People feel a subtle pressure. A new manager and the club owner suddenly call them to a fancy restaurant for dinner. How do you think they'd feel inside?"
"!"
Nevertheless, an inexplicable look of disappointment was etched on her face.
I replied firmly, as if it was out of the question.
"When you're dressed so prettily, that's when we should resolve it. You look like a successful, beautiful businesswoman."
"Ahem, ahem. Well... okay."
Having obtained Lily's permission, I immediately made a call.
Coach Allov seemed flustered at first, but in less than 3 seconds, he completely changed his attitude.
―Oh my, of course I have to go. I'm starting the car right now!
However, Coach Alenski was finicky.
―At this hour, you mean? No, I did hear you're the new manager, but… I'll come to work tomorrow and we can talk....
His voice slurred, and it felt as if the smell of alcohol was wafting all the way here.
"Come immediately. The Chairwoman is busy and barely made time."
In times like these, one had to use a higher-up's name.
I ignored Lily's eyes, which were staring at me as if I was being absurd.
―No, what kind of inconsiderate act is this?
"What's inconsiderate is unilaterally leaving your post during working hours and going home. Does a coach go home just because training is canceled? There must be some mutual duty of good faith."
―....
"Then I'll see you soon."
"Somehow your voice is colder than when you were talking to Coach Allov, isn't it?"
Lily smiled gently. But there was no time to reply.
As soon as I finished the call with Alenski, surprisingly, Coach Allov appeared.
And dressed in a suit, no less.
"Good evening, Chairwoman. It's our second meeting. Ah, and this person is..."
"I am Manager Yoojin Fischer."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Allov McGinn. Haha. You're very young, Manager!"
Allov McGinn, with his impressive mustache, was an exceedingly smooth person.
His voice was calm yet had the power to capture attention.
Even Lily, who had consistently disliked the coaches, showed signs of relaxing once she actually started talking to him.
His ability to naturally lead the conversation was genuinely admirable.
I could somewhat understand why every changing manager wanted to work with him.
"Having experienced German Bundesliga football, for our club's situation to have such an excellent manager, truly. You've also gone through a lot, Chairwoman."
'A silver tongue.'
He acted like a silver tongue. It didn't even look servile. I watched him with an interested gaze. As I listened silently, Allov cautiously changed the subject.
"However, seeing as you've called me here like this, it seems you have something you wish to say..."
"Ah, he's just arriving over there. It's probably more convenient to talk all at once when everyone is present."
The person who arrived was Alenski, with a greasy impression and a hint of intoxication.
When Alenski also appeared, Allov's complexion subtly changed before returning to normal.
"Ahem, nice to meet you. I am Coach Alenski."
"Yes. Please sit down."
"..."
When I didn't even stand up to greet him, he made a displeased face.
However, seeing that Lily, the club chairwoman, and Allov were also present, he seemed to sense that this was no ordinary matter and tried to hide his discomfort.
For a moment, silence flowed.
Lily adopted a listening posture, as if she would only wait for my words.
Since Lily, the chairwoman, showed such an attitude, neither Allov nor Alenski said anything and glanced at me.
I lightly tapped the plate with my fork.
Clink.
The gazes focused in an instant.
"I believe, you are probably guessing. The purpose of a new manager wanting to interview the two coaches in the presence of the club owner."
"!"
Allov sighed briefly and remained silent, while Alenski openly showed his displeasure.
"Are you planning to give us a dismissal notice?"
He roughly loosened his haphazardly tied necktie as if it was suffocating.
"Well, you must have brought your own staff with you, I suppose?"
"No. There's nothing like a staff. Where would a rookie manager coming to the 4th division get a staff? I do have one coach in mind... but well, it's not a staff."
"Then are you planning to fire us and find new coaches? Let me be honest. Even if the club posts a job opening, there won't be a single applicant. We're sticking around here because it's us."
At those words, a flash of anger appeared on Lily's face for a moment.
But I calmed her with a light glance.
I smirked and looked Alenski straight in the eye.
"I know. That you are the only coaches who would stick around here."
"And yet you're firing us? Does the 4th division look easy to you? You're going to go through a league with over 40 games without coaching staff?"
"Who said anything about firing?"
"...?"
In an instant, puzzled gazes were fixed on me.
"I'm going with both of you."
"!"
"What?"
I smiled brightly.
"So, please help me out a lot. Seniors."