319. New family member (2)
Pep Guardiola has been taking a break ever since he was fired from Barcelona.
But that doesn’t mean I just rested.
He constantly watched various soccer games, came up with new tactics, and even ran simulations in his head as if he were the manager.
It was a kind of study.
Although he officially announced his retirement, he has always had soccer by his side.
He was a natural soccer player who was inseparable from soccer.
I was ready to return to soccer at any time.
Of course, if I were to return, I only planned to go to a league without Woo Ho-young.
As a director, it was a requirement, not a choice.
Woo Ho-young, whom Guardiola had seen, was a player whose tactics did not work.
Even if the tactic worked, 30 minutes was all it took.
After that, they dig into their own tactics, find gaps, and suppress their opponents.
A player who can’t do anything.
Facing someone like that in the same league was tantamount to suicide.
No, even being on the same continent was burdensome.
I thought that as long as he was in Europe, it would be difficult to see him win the European Champions League.
I thought it would be more convenient to go to South America or Asia.
Moreover, recently, as leagues in the Middle East and China have developed, there has been interest in them.
Or, I thought about taking on the role of coach of the national team with ease.
Because I didn’t want to go through the terrible experience I had in Barcelona any longer.
A once in a lifetime experience like that was enough.
In particular, Guardiola was a person with very strong narcissism.
Needless to say, there was no body left without pride.
However, there was one label that could not be washed away from him.
‘Woo Ho-young’s victory maker’.
It was a sarcastic remark about the fact that if you meet Woo Ho-young, you will be defeated.
In a word, a nightmare itself.
That was why I was startled by the phone call that came out of nowhere.
I never dreamed that I would get a phone call from him directly.
-Long time no see. Director.
“I think this is the first time we’ve talked separately.”
It’s a terrible relationship.
I have been contacted by the owners and presidents of several clubs, but this was the first time that I had been contacted directly by a player.
Although I received a call to say hello to Puyol or
Moreover, what was even more surprising was a word from Woo Ho-young.
-I want to be with you this season.
He asked me to come as the manager of Man City.
Guardiola came to mind around this time last year.
When I left Barcelona, I received this phone call from a man.
[I will make you an offer you cannot refuse.]
He was none other than Manchester City Chairman Khaldoon Almubarak.
After that, AC Milan and Bayern Munich also sent love calls to Guardiola, promising to recruit Woo Ho-young.
It was an undeserved offer for him, who had only lifted the King’s Cup trophy at best.
But Guardiola never went anywhere.
At that time, it was unthinkable that Woo Ho-young, who was enjoying success at Real Madrid, would go to another club.
I thought it was impossible.
However, the soccer world was actually shaken when Woo Ho-young went to Manchester City.
From then on, Manchester City had confidence that they could bring in Woo Ho-young.
And now.
They wanted Guardiola once again.
However, this time, the love call was sent directly by the player, not the president.
I felt strange.
Isn’t this like a coach calling a player he likes and making a love call?
Of course, receiving a love call from such a player was a great honor in itself.
But Guardiola was not such a snob as to accept it in a huff.
I had many thoughts about wanting to play with Woo Ho-young, but there were too many things to decide right away.
Guardiola cut the conversation short.
“I need time to think.”
And I didn’t forget these words.
“Thank you for calling.”
Guardiola continued to think about it from the moment he hung up the phone until he went to bed.
The time is early July.
There wasn’t very long time to think.
A few days later, an official press conference was held at the Etihad Stadium media zone.
The protagonist was Roberto Mancini, whose contract expired today.
He spoke with a relaxed face, as if he had put everything aside.
“It was fun while it lasted.”
A short, bold word.
I was very sad to leave the team at this point, but I had no choice but to give up.
Still, I achieved the great achievement of mini travel, so that was it.
Mancini revealed his true feelings candidly.
“To be honest, I feel like I’ve used up all my luck.”
Mancini’s gaze returned to the corner.
These were Manchester City players who attended the press conference.
In other words, it was a statement that gave credit to them.
Because I knew very well that my contribution was not large.
Among them was Hoyoung, and it was a very meaningful day for him as well.
[Excellent insight into players (A+3)]
A coveted talent that satisfies the conditions of ‘spending the last season with Robert Mancini’.
Even if it wasn’t necessarily that, it was very meaningful to be with Mancini in his final moments.
Still, wasn’t he the director who worked hard with me for 6 months?
After the press conference, I said goodbye to Mancini alone.
“Thank you for that.”
That was all Mancini had to say.
Hoyoung also answered briefly.
“thanked.”
Those who leave have no regrets.
And the empty heart is left empty for those who come.
Hoyoung, who had become quite accustomed to separation, bowed his head slightly and spent his last moments with Mancini.
And so the old generation of Manchester City came to an end.
[Coach Roberto Mancini’s contract with Manchester City expires]
[Bitter exit from the manager who led Manchester City’s treble… Future steps are undecided]
[José Mourinho opens up about going to Manchester City. Regarding the recent rumors, he said, “If Manchester City wants me, I will go,” and presented a high possibility, adding, “I am a coach who already has a successful record in the EPL. For that position, experience in winning the league and Champions League will be very important,” he said, differentiating himself from other managers who were also rumored.]
Experience in winning the league and Champions League.
In other words, those words were aimed at Guardiola, who was also nominated.
And there was no way Guardiola, who had been with Mourinho for a long time, would not have noticed that.
‘I guess I have a strong desire to go to Manchester City.’
It was the same with Guardiola.
Instinct as a director.
Anyone who wanted to join a strong team was welcome.
This was especially true for a team with Woo Ho-young.
Moreover, how long has it been since I last smelled a trophy?
Guardiola had never won a league or Champions League trophy.
Guardiola was more hungry for the championship than Mourinho.
but.
‘What’s important is the process.’
Results are results, but whether it’s a double or a treble, it’s meaningless if you don’t play the soccer you want to pursue.
If the process is good, the results will follow.
That was Guardiola’s view of soccer.
And it is made very strictly and perfectly.
It was a territory that no one could invade.
However, there were concerns that his soccer philosophy would be shaken if he worked with Woo Ho-young.
Because his presence was that great.
That was exactly what I was worried about.
I felt burdened by the fear of being eaten by Woo Ho-young before I could properly carry out my duties as director.
however.
Purring-.
His hand was already holding the phone.
He stroked his head while trembling his legs, and then opened his mouth.
“Can I talk to you?”
-of course.
The recipient was Woo Ho-young.
“I want to hear honestly why you chose me. There must have been a director named Scolari who you are familiar with. “Aren’t I just an unproven, eccentric director like people say?”
That was correct.
That’s why I was curious about Hoyoung’s thoughts.
Why did you choose me?
At first, I thought Woo Ho-young would use his power to control me.
however.
-Because I want to share your view on soccer. And I want to learn.
Hoyoung’s answer was unexpected.
-I think we can play attractive soccer with the coach. No one knows right now, but someday the world will know. I also want to participate in that. We create innovation together.
A person who recognizes his or her true worth.
Guardiola smiled vaguely.
It was something I hadn’t heard in a really long time.
And those words made Guardiola’s heart beat.
“I understand. “I will contact you again soon.”
The next person to call was his representative.
He got straight to the point.
“I’m leaving for Manchester, so get ready right away.”
Crisis and opportunity.
But it is an opportunity that may come once in a lifetime.
I couldn’t give it up.
And if you turn that crisis into an opportunity, you will be able to achieve things that no one else in the world can achieve.
It was just two days later that Guardiola arrived in Manchester.
The contract went through smoothly and a press conference was held on the very same day.
In the presence of many reporters, Guardiola, dressed to the nines, slowly opened his mouth.
“It took about a year to get back to this position.”
Guardiola’s nose wrinkled from the moment he uttered those first words.
Just being able to stand here again was a thrill.
“Hmm.”
He calmed his pounding heart and continued speaking calmly.
“There are a lot of labels attached to me now.”
Failed director.
A coach who has never won a league title even with Ronaldinho, Messi and Zlatan.
An unlucky director who lost everything to Woo Ho-young.
Such stigma has continued to plague him since retirement.
And this time, when he announced his return to Manchester City, he was met with even more dismissive and mocking criticism.
“I was criticized as to what a coach who could not dominate his own league could do in another league. There are probably many reporters here who think like that. Of course, I also feel this keenly.”
It was understandable.
Because England was a stage he did not prefer.
Therefore, I was prepared to be criticized until I showed results.
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before aggressive questions started coming in.
“As revealed in an interview a long time ago, the director revealed that he absolutely dislikes the British weather.”
“It’s true. But that doesn’t mean I hate English soccer.”
“Then can you tell me honestly why you chose Manchester City? You have been approached by many clubs, including Bayern Munich and AC Milan, but you have rejected them all. Did you come back because of Woo Ho-young? There is criticism that he came here to build his career as a director.”
The intention is to cast Guardiola as a snobbish coach who only talks about his career.
But he didn’t deny it.
“you’re right.”
“…!”
Guardiola was not usually the type to talk a lot at press conferences, but today he seemed to have a motor in his mouth and quickly spewed out what he wanted to say.
“Woo Ho-young wanted me. “I think just being able to be chosen by a player like that is an incredible ability.”
It was Guardiola who knew Woo Ho-young’s greatness deep in his bones.
Even if I bowed down and said thank you, I knew full well that I was selling my hat.
“And it’s not just trophies that I’m aiming for. I will fulfill my dream of playing football here and at the same time leave a big mark in football history. “The various trophies are just one of the accomplishments along the way.”
His confidence was so great that it was hard to believe that he was a coach who had been sacked from Barcelona.
“Just wait and see.”
Declaration of war.
Then a reporter asked with concern.
“I remember there was a feud with Zlatan when you were in Barcelona. Are you not worried about that? Manchester City was constantly making noise due to such incidents even during the time of Manager Mancini.”
“I know. But leading the team is not just the role of the manager. That is also the responsibility of the argument.”
“Well, is there a player you have in mind as captain?”
To that question, Guardiola spoke straight away without even a moment of hesitation.
“Woo Ho-young. “As of today, he will be Manchester City’s club captain and we will build it together.”
“What?”
With everyone in the stadium paying attention, Guardiola spoke in a solemn tone.
“Our times.”
It was the moment when a new era for Manchester City began.