1979, Manager Kim is Inheriting Dictatorship! - Chapter 140



Only Krnovel

Episode 140

[South Korea advances to World Cup finals!!! Now it’s time to win!! – NBC]

[The dream of winning the World Cup comes true! – Unification Sports]

[Lee Chang-seop did it again! The birth of the World Cup’s greatest star! – YTM]

[Up to 3 days of temporary public holiday in case of victory. This is the first time since liberation. – KBC]

Usually, companies don’t like it when there are temporary holidays.

This is especially true in South Korea, where most large companies provide paid leave, especially on public holidays.

But this time, even big companies had no complaints about having a temporary public holiday.

In fact, some companies were even trying to provide additional paid vacation.

Some companies even offered up to a week of vacation if they won.

“No! What kind of meeting is this!! Set another date!!! Absolutely not!”

Taejung Group Chairman Man Tae-seok refuses his secretary, telling him that it is absolutely not possible.

“Mr. Chairman, this matter must still be concluded······.”

The day of the important meeting with the German company happened to be the day of the World Cup final in South Korea.

The secretary tried to persuade the chairman somehow, but the chairman showed no intention of changing his mind.

“Ah, that’s fine! Then don’t do it! You guys, since you guys got eliminated, what do you mean the World Cup doesn’t matter anymore? Tell them that I can’t go that day because I have to watch the World Cup even if the sky falls! And tell them that the company will be closed for a week starting from the finals, so call them or not, whatever you want!”

The Korean national team advanced to the World Cup finals.

At first, Chairman Man Tae-seok also wondered what was so great about a simple ball game, but as the game progressed, he became more and more absorbed in the World Cup.

The World Cup’s publicity effect was enormous, but they also became purely absorbed in the World Cup.

“I can do that contract later, but if I don’t do it this time, I’ll never see the World Cup final again in my lifetime! If you don’t want to move it back a week, then don’t do it! Where else can I sign a contract with?”

Chairman Man Tae-seok’s attitude was more resolute than ever.

The World Cup final provides a dopamine rush unlike anything else in modern sports.

This wasn’t much different from being the chairman of a conglomerate.

*

This year’s World Cup fever wasn’t limited to Korea.

The Korean national team’s performance was attracting attention from all over the world.

No matter how much Korea has developed and its economy and national power are ranked second in the world, that is a separate story from soccer.

Korean soccer is still on the periphery of the world stage.

But this Korean national soccer team even advanced to the finals of the World Cup.

People couldn’t help but get excited about this underdog’s story.

It had all the qualities that people who especially like underdog stories prefer.

The performance of young, unknown player Lee Chang-seop.

A dramatic comeback.

The performance of a veteran nearing retirement.

It was a story just like a movie.

In particular, in Lee Chang-seop’s case, there were already behind-the-scenes contacts with several overseas professional soccer teams.

*

Spanish professional soccer team.

Even in what is considered the world’s best professional soccer team, analysis of the World Cup was in full swing.

“Excuse me, what do you think of this player named Lee?”

The club owner, who was watching the Korean game, asks about Lee Chang-seop.

The scout team leader answers while looking at the analysis data.

“He’s not an ordinary talent. He’s still young, so there are a few areas where he’s a bit sloppy, but with a little bit of polishing, he’ll probably become a world-class striker.”

After hearing the story, the president asks again.

“How good of a player do you think you will be when you’re done?”

The chief scout thinks for a moment and then answers.

“I think he will probably become a player on par with Pele or Maradona.”

Players like Pele and Maradona were at a level that the best players of their time could not reach.

Only players who literally dominated their time could stand on the same level as them.

“Where is he playing now?”

“I am currently playing for a professional soccer team in Korea.”

In Korean professional soccer, bringing in players wasn’t a big problem as long as there was enough money.

The president, who had been lost in thought for a moment, gives instructions in a voice that seems to have made up his mind about something.

“Okay. As soon as this World Cup game is over, we will also jump into the war to recruit Lee. No matter how much money is needed, we must bring him in.”

“all right!”

If the boss talked to that extent, I could have made an infinite amount of money.

The corners of the scout team leader’s mouth slightly rise as he continues to insist on recruiting him throughout the World Cup.

‘it’s okay!’

The president speaks again while watching Lee Chang-seop’s goal scene.

“He will be a star player who will be responsible for our team for the next 20 years. Let’s definitely bring him in.”

*

June 30th, 4pm.

Although there were still three hours left until the finals began, every square across the country was packed.

Chicken restaurants were receiving so many phone calls that some places had to unplug their phone lines, and all the large TVs and projectors in home appliance stores across the country were sold out.

“Republic of Korea!!! Republic of Korea!!!”

The cheers echo throughout the country.

It would have been understandable to expect people to complain about it being noisy, but no one complained.

The atmosphere gradually became more and more intense, and the Sangam World Cup Stadium, which can accommodate 100,000 people, began to fill with red.

Of course, I was also preparing to go to the VIP section a few hours in advance to watch the game.

Even some of the events that had been planned were all canceled the moment the World Cup finals were confirmed, leaving the schedule relatively empty, allowing for relatively leisurely travel.

“Republic of Korea!! Republic of Korea!!!”

I can feel the hot heat in my body.

‘The atmosphere is amazing.’

However, apart from the heightened atmosphere, most experts’ opinions were that it would be difficult to win.

Sure, Brazil struggled in the qualifying rounds and barely made it to the finals, but Brazil is Brazil.

With the performances of their natural star players, Brazil showed what soccer is all about and advanced to the finals with great momentum.

As expected, most soccer experts agreed that there was a significant gap in skill level between Korea and the US.

But my opinion was a little different.

The results of these sports matches were mostly unavailable even on smartphones, so it was hard to know for sure, and I wasn’t a soccer expert, but today felt different.

‘I don’t think I’ll lose······.’

I also answered the reporter’s question yesterday evening like this.

“Mr. President. Last time, you correctly predicted that the national team would advance to the semifinals and finals. How about today? Do you think the South Korean national soccer team will win against Brazil today and take the championship?”

I spoke with a smile.

“Haha. Well, I’m not a soccer expert and I can’t do any great analysis or anything like that, but if each player works hard and has a clear desire to win, why wouldn’t they win? Even if we play Brazil ten times and lose nine times and win once, wouldn’t that first time be today?”

The national team actually suffered a crushing defeat in a friendly match against Brazil before the World Cup.

But today’s game is different from that time.

The momentum of the South Korean national team has been on the rise, and even though they were crushed that time, it does not mean that Brazil will start today with one point.

Even if the possession rate was only 10%, if we managed to block the ball and score one goal, we could have won the championship.

I also changed from my suit to a Red Devils T-shirt today, hoping for victory, and waited for the game to start.

*

“Hello, viewers all around the country. This is Sangam World Cup Stadium, where the 2002 Korea World Cup finals will be held. Today’s final will be between Brazil and the proud Korean national soccer team.”

The caster announces the start of the broadcast.

The narrator then continues the story in a trembling voice.

“Yes, that’s right. In fact, I’m so nervous right now that I can’t even speak properly. Korea is in the World Cup finals. Even just a month ago, I couldn’t have imagined this, but now it’s become a reality. I’m so proud of the Korean national team, and I hope they can write a new chapter in Korean soccer history with a good result today.”

The faces of the national team members all show a clearly tense expression.

“I think everyone is very nervous because it’s the final, but if we do the same thing we did in this World Cup final, winning the championship won’t be just a dream. Oh, the referee has a goal. Korea scores first. The referee blows the whistle. The game begins!”

The finals begin with loud cheers.

As expected by the experts, Brazil’s star players put tremendous pressure on the Korean national team.

The national team tried to stop Brazil somehow, but as expected, it wasn’t enough.

Overwhelming difference in market share.

23 minutes in the first half.

The Brazilian striker drove solo into the center, beat two Korean defenders, and scored a goal.

“Ah, Brazil’s goal…! What a pity. The score is 0:1, Brazil is ahead by one goal.”

I knew it wouldn’t be an easy match, but it was a disappointing result.

The commentator continues his story, leaving behind some regrets.

“It’s okay. Our players have certainly had many instances of losing and then turning things around in previous games. If we stay calm, we’ll definitely be able to turn things around.”

But the anticipation of the commentary was short-lived, as just 8 minutes later, in the 31st minute of the first half, the Brazilian midfielder shook the Korean goal net once again.

“Ah… Brazil’s goal… The score is now 0:2, one more goal.”

The caster’s voice also loses some of its strength.

The commentary tried to somehow turn the mood around, but the score of 0:2 was not an easy difference.

“There’s still a lot of time left. If our players just try a little harder and fight, we can do it!”

The excitement that had been intense at the start of the game became relatively calm as the score widened to two points.

But the atmosphere of the national team was different from what was seen from outside.

*

“Hoo··· Hoo······.”

‘It’s not easy.’

At this World Cup, Changseop met all the best players in the world.

But no player has ever had as much football talent as the Brazilian players before us today.

These were innate things that could never be achieved through systematic practice.

They were a team that played a style of football that was perhaps the most opposite of Germany’s.

The whistle blows and the first half ends.

The first half score was 0:2, two points behind.

It was a score that could have been disheartening.

However, for some unknown reason, Lee Chang-seop’s body was becoming even hotter.

‘what······.’

The coach calls the players together and says something.

“There are still 45 minutes left. Are you going to give up? The 100,000 people here are only looking at you.”

“no!”

The director points to Lee Chang-seop and says.

“The second half will be a one-top operation. Lee Chang-seop, you will run unconditionally. If you are not confident, then talk now.”

The story is that the second half of the game will be centered around Changseop.

This is a tactic that places a lot of pressure on the player who plays as the lone striker.

Ordinary players might certainly refuse.

But Changseop was different.

‘One top······?’

Lee Chang-seop was a man who liked to be in the spotlight from the beginning, and the more attention he received, the more excited he became.

“I am confident!”

In the first half, the ball possession ratio was 85:15.

It was an overwhelming difference.

But in his mind, he remembered the interview with the president he had seen this morning.

-In the end, whether it’s possession or skill, isn’t it all about scoring a goal and winning?

‘Okay, if I score a goal, we win······.’

Lee Chang-seop answers with a confident voice.

“I am confident!”

Lee Chang-seop’s fighting spirit was burning brighter than ever.

*

The atmosphere has changed.

The line was pulled extremely aggressively throughout, and the players seemed to be putting everything into attacking rather than defending.

The Brazilian players also felt something was strange.

“Isn’t this a bit strange? Shouldn’t we lower our line a bit?”

“That’s right. They’re being too aggressive.”

But the Brazilian coach still ordered his team to go on the offensive.

And this was a colossal strategic failure.

“Ah, Lee Chang-seop is coming in. He received a long pass. No offside call!! He’s in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper and kicks it!! Shoot!!!”

The face of the young Lee Chang-seop that is mentioned a lot.

And then, a little while later, South Korea was shaken.

“and!!!”

The caster continues the commentary with great excitement.

“Ah! Lee Chang-seop’s goal!!! Lee Chang-seop scored a goal and Korea is tied 1:2!!”

“The atmosphere is definitely different from the first half. And as expected from Lee Chang-seop, as I felt before, the more attention he gets, the better he gets. He’s really amazing in this game with such great pressure!”

Brazil is embarrassed.

We clearly thought we would push hard in the second half and win by more than 3 goals, but we ended up getting caught instead.

Brazilian players watch their coach’s expression.

The players wanted the manager to change his tactics, but he seemed unwilling to do so.

“Keep going!”

But this time, Korea’s one-top strategy worked.

And 10 minutes after Lee Chang-seop scored a goal, in the 83rd minute of the second half, the quiet Jeong Chi-seong finally shook the Brazilian goal net once again.

“Ah!!! Player Jeongchi Seong!!! Player Jeongchi Seong saves the Republic of Korea from a moment of crisis!! Player Jeongchi Seong runs to the coach and hugs him again!”

“Of course he answers! Player Jeong-Seong, from defense to offense, despite being a young player, is not ordinary. In this World Cup, Lee Chang-Seop is also great, but player Jeong-Seong’s performance of scoring a goal every time when it was really needed is also really great!”

Jeong Chi-seong, who is originally called the eternal captain of the South Korean national soccer team in history, scored a goal and the score was finally tied in the 83rd minute of the second half with not much time left in the game.

And the body of Lee Chang-seop, who can be said to be the main character of this match, was hotter than ever.