05. I Am Mansfield's Manager (2)
Both Allov and Alenski, who had been angry, shut their mouths as if they were mute.
Furthermore, Lily, across from me, was so surprised that her already large eyes grew even wider.
"Why is everyone so surprised? This is a gathering to work well together from now on."
"Haha, I was nervous because I heard this manager lived in Germany for a long time, but you're an amusing person!"
Allov laughed affably. However, Alenski couldn't erase the suspicion from his eyes.
"Isn't it all written in the contract? At the very least, the contract period must be observed."
"So, you're a stickler for principles, is that it?"
"Hmph, Coach Alenski. Why are you being so irritable?"
"Yes, that's right. Principles. You've hit the nail on the head."
I took out the contract.
It was a copy of the contract Lily had brought.
"From now on, all our conversations will be based on this contract."
"..."
Allov's hearty laughter subsided.
He too was no pushover. His complexion darkened.
"Based on the contract, I will treat both of you as core coaches of our club. And you, in turn, will have to do that much work."
The contracts were identical except for some special clauses and provisions.
I pointed to one of them.
"Agrees to the rules set by the club and accepts any disadvantages arising therefrom."
"..."
"For example, things like fines, including wage suspension, for players who are late or cause disgraceful incidents."
"Isn't that a squad rule?"
"Regrettably, it is a club rule. It's just that there has never been an instance of imposing fines on the coaching staff."
"Are you saying you're going to impose fines now? On a coach?"
"Why are you so angry? Originally, it wasn't a fine rule that distinguished between coaches and the squad. More importantly, would a coach, who should set an example for the players, have acted in a way that warranted a fine? That's why it seemed as if it only applied to the squad."
Alenski's expression contorted. If Lily hadn't been present, he looked ready to take off his watch.
"For instance, a case like yesterday, leaving the workplace during working hours and arbitrarily canceling the training schedule, could be seen as grounds for wage suspension."
"Ha!"
I spoke, disregarding Alenski's scoff.
"It would be best not to call the club even if next week's wages are omitted."
"Wait a minute, wait a minute. You, you're not the head coach?"
You?
I smirked.
"Whether I'm the head coach, or whatever. Aren't you just a physical coach?"
"...!"
Seeing his eyes flare up momentarily, I raised my hand.
He was momentarily speechless. I seized that gap and shot back.
"I know very well the importance of a physical coach. That's why I'm saying I want to continue working together. However. You said you have a big brother-like personality who gets along informally with the players... It seems you look down on the chain of command."
"Huh...?"
There was something people misunderstood. That European sports culture had less hierarchy.
Indeed, it sometimes appeared that way. Player insubordination occasionally made the news, there were instances of collective action, and weren't there many news stories about managers fighting with players and benching them?
However, if one thought about it carefully, the very fact that such news came out meant that such incidents were not that common or ordinary in the first place.
Even generally speaking, a player showing insubordination and taking collective action was a big enough deal to make the news in European sports.
If it was like that between players and managers, how would it be between coaches and a manager?
It wasn't for nothing that the word 'staff' existed.
The manager was the general, and the coaches who followed him were his subordinates.
This was a clear hierarchy, and it was strict. Moreover, he wasn't even a coach with great tactical prowess, just a general physical coach.
"Let's, distinguish between ranks here. I won't say anything about you, Coach, getting along informally with the players. A big brother-like coach? Fine. Do as you please. But if you apply that same yardstick to me."
"..."
I trailed off. For a moment, silence hung in the air.
I suddenly smiled and pointed at Lily.
"There will be a stern warning from our Chairwoman."
"..."
Lily looked at me as if I was being absurd, then eventually gave a bitter smile.
"There's no need for my warning, really. The Manager isn't just a Head Coach, he's a Manager."
"!"
At those words, the complexions of both Alenski, who had been fuming, and Allov, who had been calmly observing the situation, changed.
A Head Coach and a Manager were both managerial positions, but the authority they held was worlds apart.
"He is not a Head Coach who only manages the squad, so Coach Alenski, Coach Allov, please be mindful of your words and actions."
"..."
A Head Coach was, literally, just the head of the coaches.
They were solely responsible for managing the squad, such as player training and tactics.
No different from other coaches.
On the other hand, a Manager was a manager in the complete sense, as commonly understood.
A position that could be involved not only in squad management, the transfer market, and player contract issues, but also in some of the club's policies.
"Our club... its situation must have improved a lot, I see? Hoho. You're granting a lot of authority."
"The situation isn't good, it's still the same. We're in a situation where we're even afraid of penalty clauses."
Lily, mentioning the penalty clauses and subtly revealing her willingness to fire them at any time, continued.
"I know. Because the club's finances are poor, managers usually aren't given much authority. It's my first time as a club owner too, but I know that much."
If a manager's authority increased, their influence in areas like the transfer market grew stronger.
A manager would not hesitate to sign players while also considering finances.
Because if a player was good, they naturally had to be signed.
Managers were bound to be greedy. Thus, the poorer a club's finances, the more a manager's authority was reduced, and they usually remained as a Head Coach.
But not me.
"Nevertheless, the reason I'm giving full authority to Manager Yoojin here is because I trust him that much. I, the Chairwoman of this club. I, the chairwoman of the Supporters' Trust that currently leads the club. I believe you all understand what that means."
Lily's position was peculiar.
While she was currently the club's chairwoman, her position was based on being appointed with the overwhelming support of the Supporters' Trust. In a word, it meant she could even mobilize the fans' influence.
Above all, the Supporters' Trust's power had been crucial in avoiding bankruptcy.
Lily, as its chairwoman, inevitably wielded stronger authority in this small club than most ordinary club owners.
Such clear and definite support from Lily was added to me.
I gave a light nod, sending a look of thanks.
Lily shrugged and leaned back in her chair. As if to say, she had done her part, now it was up to me to finish it. She looked expectant.
I lightly tapped the plate with my fork.
Claaang!.
"Let's stop here. I have conveyed my position to both coaches. You'll come with me, right?"
"...According to principles, good. But shall we take a closer look at the provisions of that contract?"
Allov, who had been calmly observing the situation while Alenski fumed, spoke softly.
"Here. However, the club's operational rules and code of conduct can be changed or deleted through discussion by the coaching staff."
"Yes, I see it."
"I hope we can arrange a time later to discuss the club's code of conduct and rules. According to principles."
The man with the mustache smiled gently. I smiled back.
"Let's do that. Then let's talk tomorrow."
"Tomorrow, you mean?"
"Yes. We have to work. Both coaches are full-time employees. Even if there's no training and it's a rest day for the players, you coaches still have to come to work on weekdays. According to principles."
"..."
"I'll see you tomorrow. I won't bother getting up from my seat."
...
"Are you just going to stand by, Coach?"
"What do you mean?"
Allov questioned evasively. Alenski narrowed his brow.
"Isn't it obvious? Since the players follow us, he can't bring himself to fire us. He's planning to control the players through us, and then control you and me by using the rules, isn't he?"
One might ask if a mere one-week wage suspension was something to be afraid of.
Yes, it was.
What salaried employee wouldn't flip out if a quarter of their monthly salary disappeared in a single day?
Especially in the lower leagues, wages weren't the astronomical figures one commonly imagined.
It was about the level of an ordinary office worker.
The real problem was, once such a precedent was set, there would be nothing to say against whatever was brought up next.
"Well, this is basically saying, 'If you're aggrieved, submit your resignation.' Because if we resign, we don't have to pay the penalty. Isn't it too obvious a ploy?"
"But neither you nor I, Coach, can really refute that obvious ploy right now, can we?"
"...Ha, well, he says he has full authority, doesn't he?"
"The problem is that the manager came and saw the scene on the very day we left the clubhouse early. My face burned so much when he talked about it right in front of me that I found it hard to lift my head. What could I have refuted in front of him?"
"If this continues, we'll just be played by the manager."
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
Allov still wore an evasive smile.
'Sly old fox.'
He stubbornly wouldn't speak his mind. Alenski didn't like that. But what could he do? Compared to Allov, the tactical coach, he, a mere physical coach, had far less clout.
"The players have followed you and me for a long time, haven't they, Coach? The captain doesn't take sides, but well... if we mobilize the players, won't the manager have no choice but to give in?"
"What are you talking about, man? Are you suggesting we instigate a collective mutiny?"
"Hey, a collective mutiny? Players are individuals too. They can request tactical adjustments and training changes according to their own will."
"That's going too far. There's no need to go that far. First, let's deal with the club's code of conduct and rules tomorrow."
"Hmm."
"Since we're the only two coaches anyway, what's the problem?"
Allov said, as if it were no big deal.
"It would be different if he had started this after recruiting new coaches. It doesn't matter. If we seize the initiative early on, that's all that matters."
"Hmm, I see."
Alenski nodded as if he understood. It was at that moment, as they were leaving the restaurant.
Thud.
"Ah, I'm sorry."
"Ah, yes. It's alright."
Someone who had bumped shoulders with them hurriedly entered the restaurant.
"Somehow, his dress code doesn't seem to fit a place like this, does it?"
Alenski tilted his head, then shrugged.
"Tsk. I really need to see the manager's face contort tomorrow."
...
"Why don't you fire them?"
"We don't have money, do we?"
"The penalty... I can pay it!"
"Then what about player recruitment? Wages? Club operating expenses?"
"Th-that much..."
"We have to save every penny. In our club's situation."
"But will those guys meekly bow their heads over things like fines or wage suspensions?"
"They won't bow."
"Even knowing that!"
"It doesn't matter if they don't bow."
"Mm-hm?"
Lily's eyes widened. I smirked.
"It doesn't matter if they don't bow and just do their jobs."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Coach Allov. He's a coach recruited during the Championship era, isn't he? His career is also excellent. A career isn't everything, but at least the career he has built has value in itself. Do you think we can find a coach like this?"
Lily hesitated, then shook her head.
"If he just does his role, there won't be a better coach. His head? It doesn't matter if he doesn't bow. If he just performs his duties properly throughout the season without any lapses, I don't care if he curses me behind my back or whatever."
"Is it about meritocracy?"
"It's about efficiency. In our team's situation, we just have to prioritize efficiency unconditionally."
"Hmm. Then what about Alenski? You said you don't like handsome faces?"
"I dislike greasy faces."
"That's the same thing."
"It's easy to replace a physical coach separately. But, he's not as much of a loafer as you might think."
"Hmm? He seemed a bit tipsy earlier?"
"His beard is neat. Eyebrows too, and sideburns. The perfume he sprayed to cover the smell of alcohol too. It seemed he had applied something to hide his flushed complexion."
"Was it... like that?"
"Well, since he's a loafer and likes to play around, he'd manage his appearance, but even while enjoying alcohol, his elbows, shoulders, chest, thighs. They looked solid. Not all physical coaches manage their bodies strictly, you know."
"What, are you Sherlock Holmes? We enjoyed watching that drama when we were kids. Anyway, so you think he'll do his main job well?"
"He does the basics, the basics. Besides, you said he's close with the players, right?"
"That's the problem. What if the players don't follow you and follow him instead?"
Lily's worries continued, one after another.
"Don't worry about that."
"..."
"If I couldn't even control the squad, I wouldn't have come in the first place."
Lily's lips twitched as if she was about to say something, then she let out a faint sigh.
"Okay. Sorry. I should trust you completely. I just, kept saying negative things."
"Keep doing it."
"...?"
"Nagging and worrying, I don't mind hearing it."
"...Ha!"
Lily suddenly blew out a breath, paah, and crossed her arms. She narrowed her eyes.
"What, what have you been doing in Germany?"
"I only did football."
"That sounds like a lie..."
Lily scrutinized me from head to toe with narrowed eyes, but I received her gaze nonchalantly.
The boos and cheers of tens of thousands of spectators.
I was someone who had trained my mentality in the barrage from SNS and the media.
Would I be shaken by just that gaze, Lily?
"Fine. Since you're so confident. I'll point out one mistake of yours."
She uncrossed her arms and rested her chin on her hand.
"Coach Allov pointed out a blind spot, didn't he? That they can revise the rules through discussion among coaches."
"He did."
"Those two are all the coaches there are. You're alone."
"..."
"Ta-da! What will you do in a situation like this? If you lose the means to control those coaches?"
"I'm not alone."
"Huh?"
"He arrived just in time. Hey!"
As I waved my hand, Lily tilted her head and turned around.
There was a man of small stature with horn-rimmed glasses, lingering at the entrance.
"What? Who is it?"
"As expected, he came right away in one day. Since we're gathered today, let's take care of it in one go."
"Take care of what, exactly?"
I grinned. Just then, the man with horn-rimmed glasses, having seen my gesture, approached hesitantly.
"Say hello. This is our club owner, chairwoman, head of the Supporters' Trust, anyway, the highest person. And this here is the person we'll be interviewing today."
"Interview?"
"Chief coach interview."
Lily's eyes, full of incomprehension, and the gaze from behind the horn-rimmed glasses, also looking as if he didn't understand the situation.
Allov? Alenski?
No matter how much they tried to exert influence on me, they were merely insignificant before a true genius.
"Maximilian. The person I want to bring in as chief coach."