Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

86 – Unity

086

Time for the tactical meeting to prepare for the 25th round.

The declaration of Yan Heinkele and Stephan Buls, who had always silently fulfilled their roles, drew the attention of the players.

“This is… It’s a bit surprising to see you, who always silently did well, act like this.”

“We’ve just been silently enduring, waiting. If enduring isn’t recognized, we have to speak up like this.”

When a person who was naturally reserved spoke, it felt even more weighty than someone who was originally talkative. Stephan Buls, who had always silently held his ground, had that weight in his words.

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“Oh, don’t misunderstand. It wasn’t meant that way. As you guys know, I value the opinions of the players. I enjoy listening to the players’ opinions. Don’t you all know that?”

Willem van Rodebayk is a young coach full of old-school authority.

But that’s only to the extent of emphasizing the ideological aspects of players, such as professional consciousness, passion, and fighting spirit, which are unique to old-school thinking. It doesn’t mean he’s really acting like an old-fashioned person.

Perhaps it was only natural.

Willem started his coaching career with the label ‘temporary’ from the moment he started as a young coach.

When the former coach and his squad departed, there was much concern about how Billum, the youngest coach who temporarily took charge, would handle the reins. Could he perform the role of a coach properly, let alone if he acted like a rigid old-school authority figure?

In contrast to the emphasis on discipline in old-school coaching, Billum, whether as a coach or later as a head coach, consistently mingled with the players without any airs, always open to listening to their opinions.

As a result, even the team’s youngest, Ju Ji-tae, could confidently express his opinions, and, astonishingly, influence even the tactical decisions that were the coach’s prerogative.

“Your voices were a bit surprising since you guys are usually quiet. Usually, the noisy juniors handle roles like this on our team.”

In response to Billum’s words, the players’ attention turned towards the two noisy juniors, particularly Ju Ji-tae, who was known for his verbosity.

This newly debuted 18-year-old rookie, challenging the coach with various opinions about tactics, was an unconventional junior, to say the least.

“Well, if he had been an older coach, that kid would have been sent down to the reserves immediately.”

“Hey, if it were my time, I would have been not just sent to the reserves but slapped by the coach. It would’ve been either a slap or a flying football boot.”

“Haha. Come to think of it, that’s true. Now that I think about it, that guy, not a captain or a veteran, just a newbie. Got so used to him talking like a senior that I forgot he’s a rookie.”

In the free-spirited and individualistic world of European football, many players actively express their opinions to the coach.

One of the things that astonish East Asian players when they first enter Europe is this cultural difference.

Unlike in East Asia, where players typically accept the coach’s instructions without question, in Europe, players not only voice their opinions to the coach but may even argue with them over tactics.

This behavior might be a cultural shock for East Asian players, who are used to adhering to the coach’s authority and following tactical instructions without question.

However, even in the free-spirited and individual-respecting world of European football, there are boundaries.

Interfering with tactics and engaging in long-distance disputes with the coach are usually matters for the leadership or the senior players, while the juniors, whether in Asia or Europe, just shut up and play.

Even so, Billum, who listens to and incorporates the opinions of a newly debuted junior with no prior experience as a captain or a veteran, is indeed peculiar.

“Yeah. An upstart, huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Feeling more at ease in the now relaxed atmosphere, Jan Heinkel expressed his grievances in detail.

Although his records were from the second division league, he was the team’s top scorer last season with 15 goals.

Not only for his goals but also for his contributions to teamwork and defense with assists and wide movements, Heinkel received high praise. Several Bundesliga teams even received transfer offers for him, and he went as far as finalizing an agreement with Mainz but stayed upon the request of the remaining club… just to be used as bait for Jo Jaeshin.

With a deeply unjust expression, Jan Heinkel pleaded, “I understand too. I know how great the team is doing right now and how crucial this moment is. I know Jo Jaeshin is a player with talents incomparable to mine.”

However, after a brief pause, Jan Heinkel clenched his teeth and exclaimed, “But that’s why I want more. I want to leave my name in history when we get promoted. I don’t want to be just a passing player. Not just a player who stood out as a sacrifice, but as the main character… no, even if it’s a supporting role, I want to stay in the story!”

“Both Jan and I feel that way. We know we’re lacking. But we’re tired of being the ones making sacrifices. The protagonist of my life is me.”

With Steffen Bulss’s weighty words, a silence settled in.

The coach, scratching his chin as if lost in thought, and the players with a strange look on their faces.

Ju Ji-tae, with an awkward expression, intervened as Jo Jaeshin was about to speak.

“Why? It’s not like that. We should all say we’re protagonists together—”

“Nonsense is best kept at home. Even if you spout all sorts of nonsense, it’s hard to see a good outcome by speaking out now.”

In an atmosphere like this, their grumbling would likely bring more harm than good.

Surprisingly, humans are more emotional creatures than rational ones.

“Tch. If they hand me a winning career, I’d be grateful and just accept it gracefully, not whine.”

Though the sarcastic words chilled to the tip of his tongue, Ju Ji-tae held back with a simple sigh.

Jealousy and misunderstandings were familiar to him.

And then it happened.

“At first, I thought I could be the protagonist. And indeed, I received treatment as the protagonist. Well, if you can call a backup the protagonist.”

Breaking the peculiar silence was an entirely unexpected figure.

“But I was wrong. I realized being the protagonist is not something anyone can do. Well, it’s okay! It’s not the end of life, and not everyone needs to be the protagonist.”

Once a promising talent pushed by the club, Ju Ji-tae became a misfortune after the appearance of Cho Jae-shin.

“Above all, to become the protagonist, I learned that not only innate talent matters but also how much bloody effort is put in. So now, I’m striving with all my might. Training harder than anything I’ve ever done in my life. So, I may not become the protagonist, but I can be a supporting role, right?”

And now, a player who struggled and fought his way up from a backup member to a regular starter.

“The protagonist of one’s life is oneself… that’s how it is in one’s life. To become the protagonist even in others’ lives, don’t you need something special? Everyone wants to be the protagonist, but everyone can’t be, isn’t that a fact known to everyone by now?”

It was Allen Walker.

“Jan, Stephan. I’m sorry, but to me and the rotation members here, your words sound like arrogant complaints. Want to be remembered as the protagonist in a historic moment? If not, even as a supporting role? Do you understand the feelings of players who can’t even become extras or understudies?”

The gaze of the two turned towards the rotation players seated behind the starting players.

Unlike other leagues with roster limits around 25, the Bundesliga had a roster limit of 99, practically unlimited. However, no club filled it to the brim.

In any case, Bundesliga teams, like other teams, usually maintained around 25 players in the first-team squad, considering the starting lineup had 11 players. Therefore, practically half the team were rotation members, and naturally, half of Bayern Munich’s squad were rotation members.

“…I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention.”

Under the oppressive gaze, Jan Heinkel could only awkwardly apologize.

As the atmosphere weighed down, everyone’s eyes turned towards Coach Willem to resolve the situation.

“It’s a tough issue. Deciding the starting lineup is always difficult. Having been a player myself, I understand the players’ feelings better than anyone. That’s why it’s even more challenging.”

Coach Willem, who struggled to speak, once his mouth opened, spoke smoothly.

“More important than the team is oneself, and perhaps individual stats are more critical than team victories. Oh, of course, some players may prioritize the team over themselves. But remember, I was a player too. Honestly, my career matters more to me than the team. I understand. That’s why I can’t help but focus more on individual performance. Where the next team will be, how much the salary will be, those are important issues.”

“No, team performance is more important.”

“Hey, Harry. I’m begging you not to lie. As you all know, I’m young. How much of an age difference is there between us? Well, a bit with our noisy youngest… about five years, right? 15 years old? Who’s that?”

Trying to break the heavy atmosphere, both the coach and the players forced exaggerated laughter at a forced joke.

“Anyway, I was on active duty until recently, so I understand well. My career is more important than the team. So, I’ll apologize. Not giving everyone a chance… that’s my fault as a coach. I apologize to all of you.”

Willem bowed deeply.

While players rarely apologize with an oriental gesture in Europe, Willem quickly continued speaking.

“But I want to say this. You guys are adults and professionals. I can’t listen to you whining like kids anymore.”

Seeing the bewildered players, Willem continued speaking.

“Who in Bundesliga can build a career winning? Let’s be honest. Who can add a Meisterschale to their career?”

Willem asserted.

“None! No one can! Not me, not you, and not you! Do you understand? We are losers!! Many players retire without ever lifting the championship cup, and here we are, in Bundesliga, with the Meisterschale in front of us, yet acting like losers! Hey, friends. Do you all know who is responsible for this?”

The players’ gazes naturally turned to one side.

To Ju Ji-tae with a composed expression and Cho Jae-shin with a perplexed one.

“Wake up, all of you. Wake up. The reason we’re not performing well is because of these guys. Seize the opportunity when it comes! Even supporting roles, even extras, grab this unparalleled opportunity to add a Bundesliga victory to your career! Personal achievements can be pursued later, but there is no next time for a championship! Got it?”

When everyone stiffened at his ruthlessly harsh words,

“Don’t worry. We’ll definitely add the Meisterschale to our careers.”

“Hey, hey. What are you doing? Sit down and stop boasting.”

Ignoring Cho Jae-shin trying to stop him, Ju Ji-tae stood up with a faint smile.

“It might be uncomfortable to match up with him right now. But wait a little. A few years later, just having played with him will be a pride in itself. So let’s all focus on the remaining games. So… won’t we get the Meisterschale?”

“…Yes! Let’s win first and think about it!”

When the players’ focus shifted from individual achievements to the goal of winning,

“And, Coach. If we secure the victory early, you’ll give bench players a chance, right?”

Looking at Ju Ji-tae, who even managed his image thoroughly, Willem let out a bitter laugh.

“He… yeah. Of course.”