0 5 – Mansfield’s New Manager (2)

Both Alop and the furious Alensky fell silent as if they had swallowed their tongues.

Even Lily, sitting across from me, was beyond surprised—her already large eyes widened even further.

"Why are you all so shocked? We gathered here to work together and do well, didn't we?"

"Haha, I was nervous because I heard the new manager had spent a long time in Germany, but you're quite an interesting person!"

Alop chuckled good-naturedly, but Alensky couldn't erase the suspicion from his gaze.

"That's what contracts are for, aren't they? At the very least, we should respect the contract period."

"So, are you saying you're a stickler for rules?"

"Hah, Alensky, why are you getting so worked up?"

"Yes, that's right. Sticking to the rules—that's the core of it."

I pulled out a contract.

It was a copy that Lily had brought.

"From now on, every conversation we have will be based on this contract."

"…."

Alop, who had been laughing so naturally, fell silent.

He wasn't an easy man either. His expression darkened.

"I will treat both of you as key coaches of our club, based on this contract. And in return, you will have to perform accordingly."

The contract remained unchanged except for a few special clauses.

I pointed to one of them.

"You agree to follow the rules set by the club and accept any disadvantages that come with them."

"…."

"For example, things like wage suspensions and fines for players who are late or cause trouble."

"But that applies to the players, doesn't it?"

"Unfortunately, it's a club rule. The only reason coaches haven't been fined before is simply that it's never been enforced."

"You're saying you'll fine the coaches now?!"

"Why are you getting so upset? The rule never specified that it applies only to players. And more importantly, wouldn't coaches, who should be setting an example, avoid behaviors that would warrant fines?"

Alensky frowned deeply. If Lily hadn't been here, he might have taken off his watch in frustration.

"For example, abandoning your post during working hours and arbitrarily canceling training sessions—those could result in a wage suspension."

"Hah!"

Ignoring Alensky's scoff, I continued.

"If your wages are withheld next week, I'd advise against calling the club to complain."

"Wait, wait! You're not even the head coach, are you?"

Did he just say "you"?

I smirked.

"Whether I'm the head coach or not, aren't you just a physical coach?"

"…!"

For a moment, his temper flared, but I raised my hand to cut him off.

He was momentarily speechless, and I seized the opportunity.

"I know the importance of a physical coach. That's why I want you to stay. But you know, people keep saying you're like a big brother to the players… Do you think hierarchy means nothing?"

"Huh…?"

There's a common misconception that European sports lack hierarchy.

It might seem that way at times—players rebelling against managers, staging walkouts, and stories about managers benching players due to conflicts frequently make the news.

But think about it. The fact that these incidents make the news means they aren't common occurrences.

If players frequently defied their managers, it wouldn't be a headline-worthy event.

So, if that's the case for players and managers, what about coaches?

There's a reason the word "staff" exists in football.

The manager is the general, and the coaches are his officers.

It's a strict and thorough hierarchy.

Especially for someone who isn't even a tactical mastermind, just a physical coach.

"We should maintain proper hierarchy. I won't say anything if you want to be like a big brother to the players. That's fine. But if you apply that same standard to me—"

"…."

I let my sentence trail off.

Silence filled the room.

Then, with a sudden smile, I gestured toward Lily.

"Our club president will now give a stern warning."

"…."

Lily looked at me as if I were ridiculous, then let out a small chuckle.

"There's no need for a warning. The manager here isn't just a head coach—he's the manager."

"!"

At those words, both the fuming Alensky and the watchful Alop's expressions changed.

The difference between a head coach and a manager is like heaven and earth.

"The manager isn't just responsible for training the players. So, Coach Alensky, Coach Alop—please be mindful of your words."

"…."

A head coach is simply the lead among the coaching staff.

Their sole responsibility is managing the players and training sessions.

They're just another coach.

But a manager—they are a true director.

A manager oversees the players, but also plays a role in the transfer market, player contracts, and even some club policies.

"Our club's financial situation must have improved, huh? You're giving out a lot of power."

"Our financial situation is just as bad as before. We're scared of breach-of-contract penalties, too."

By mentioning contract penalties, Lily subtly hinted that they could be fired at any time.

"I know that clubs with poor finances usually limit the manager's authority. I may be new to this, but even I understand that."

If a manager has too much power, they might push for expensive transfers without considering the club's budget.

Managers tend to be ambitious. They always want to sign the best players, regardless of cost.

That's why financially struggling clubs rarely give full authority to their managers. They usually hire a head coach, not a manager.

But I was an exception.

"Despite that, we're giving Manager Eugene full authority because we trust him. I, as the club's president, trust him. I, as the president of the supporters' association, trust him. I trust him enough to give him the power to lead this club."

Lily's position was unique.

She wasn't just the club president—she had overwhelming support from the fan association, which had played a major role in saving the club from bankruptcy.

As the leader of that association, Lily's authority was greater than that of most club owners.

And now, she had placed that trust in me.

I subtly nodded to her, silently expressing my gratitude.

Lily simply shrugged and leaned back in her chair.

She had done her part.

Now it was up to me to finish the job.

I lightly tapped the plate with my fork.

Clang.

"Let's stop here. I've conveyed my stance to both of you coaches. You're coming with me, right?"

"…By principle, fine. But let's take a closer look at the contract's regulations, shall we?"

While Alensky was fuming, Alov, who had been calmly observing the situation, spoke gently.

"Here. 'However, the club's operational rules and code of conduct may be modified or removed through discussions among the coaching staff.'"

"Yes, I see it."

"I would like us to set up a time later to discuss the club's code of conduct and rules. By principle."

The mustached man smiled softly. I smiled back.

"Let's do that. Then, let's talk tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes. We have work to do. Both of you are full-time employees. Even if there's no training and it's a rest day for the players, you still need to report in on weekdays. By principle."

"...."

"I'll see you tomorrow. No need for me to stand up."

---

"Are you just going to stay quiet, Coach?"

"What do you mean?"

Alov asked slyly. Alensky furrowed his brows.

"Isn't it obvious? The players follow us, so he can't just fire us outright. Instead, he's trying to control the players through us while using the rules to keep you and me in check."

You might ask, Is it really such a big deal to have our weekly wages suspended for just a week?

Yes, it is.

Which employee wouldn't lose their mind if a quarter of their monthly salary disappeared overnight?

Especially in the lower leagues, where wages aren't anywhere near the mind-blowing sums people usually imagine.

The real issue is that once something like this happens, there's no stopping it from happening again.

"So basically, if we're unhappy, we should just resign. If we quit voluntarily, we won't have to pay a penalty. Such an obvious trick, isn't it?"

"But right now, neither you nor I can actually argue against it, can we?"

"…Ha, that's because he has full authority."

"The problem was that the manager happened to visit the clubhouse early on the very day we left work early. He laid it all out right in front of us—I couldn't even lift my head in embarrassment. What could I possibly say to counter him?"

"If this continues, we'll just end up dancing in the manager's palm."

"Then what do you propose?"

Alov still wore that sly smile.

What a cunning old fox.

No matter what, he wouldn't open his mouth. That irritated Alensky. But what could he do? Compared to Alov, who was a tactical coach, he was just a physical coach—his influence wasn't nearly as strong.

"The players have followed us for a long time. The captain might stay neutral, but… if we get the players involved, would the manager really be able to keep his hands off us?"

"What are you saying? Are you suggesting we instigate a mutiny?"

"Come on, a mutiny? Players have their own minds. They can request adjustments to tactics and training as they see fit."

"You're thinking too far ahead. There's no need to go that far. Let's start by revising the club's rules and code of conduct tomorrow."

"Mm."

"We're the only two coaches, so what's the problem?"

Alov spoke as if it were nothing.

"If they had already hired new coaches before pulling this move, then it would've been a different story. But they haven't. So we just need to seize control early on."

"…I see your point."

Alensky nodded in understanding.

As they were leaving the restaurant—

Thud.

"Oh, sorry."

"Oh, no problem."

Someone had bumped into Alensky and hurried inside the restaurant.

"That outfit doesn't really match this place, does it?"

Alensky tilted his head before shrugging.

"Tsk. I can't wait to see the manager's face twist tomorrow."

---

"Why aren't you firing them?"

"There's no money."

"We… We can afford the penalty!"

"And then what about player signings? Wages? Club operations?"

"Well, I didn't think that far…."

"We need to save every penny. Given our club's situation."

"But do you really think those two will just lower their heads because of a fine or a wage suspension?"

"They won't."

"Then why—!"

"It doesn't matter."

"…Huh?"

Lily's eyes widened. I smirked.

"It doesn't matter if they don't bow their heads, as long as they do their jobs properly."

"What do you mean?"

"Coach Alov was recruited during our Championship days. He has an excellent career. That's not everything, of course, but his experience alone holds value. Do you think we can find another coach like him?"

Lily hesitated, then shook her head.

"As long as he does his job and doesn't create any major problems throughout the season, I don't care if he badmouths me behind my back."

"So you're going for a results-based approach?"

"It's all about efficiency. Given our team's situation, efficiency is everything."

"Hmm. Then what about Alensky? You said you don't like his pretty face."

"I said I don't like sleazy faces."

"Same thing."

"Physical coaches are easier to replace. But he's not as carefree as he seems."

"Really? He seemed a bit tipsy earlier."

"But his beard was neatly trimmed. His eyebrows, sideburns, too. He even wore cologne to cover up the alcohol smell. And I think he put something on his face to hide the redness."

"Did he…?"

"Sure, he might be a playboy who likes to have fun, but his physique tells a different story. Elbows, shoulders, chest, thighs—he's solid. Not all physical coaches maintain their own fitness so rigorously."

"What are you, Sherlock Holmes? We used to love that show as kids. Anyway, you're saying he'll at least do his job properly?"

"He'll cover the basics. And he's close with the players, right?"

"That's the problem! What if the players don't follow you and stick with him instead?"

Lily's worries kept piling up.

"Don't worry about that."

"...."

"If I couldn't even control the squad, I wouldn't have come here in the first place."

Lily opened her mouth as if to say something but then sighed.

"Yeah, sorry. I should trust you completely. I keep saying negative things."

"Keep going."

"…Huh?"

"Keep nagging me, keep worrying. I don't mind."

"…Ha!"

Lily suddenly let out a puff of air and crossed her arms. Then, she narrowed her eyes at me.

"What the hell did you do in Germany?"

"Just played football."

"That sounds like a lie…."

She squinted at me, scanning me from head to toe.

But I had endured the boos and cheers of tens of thousands of spectators.

I had survived the relentless attacks of social media and the press.

Lily's glare? That was nothing.

"Alright. Since you're so confident, let me point out a mistake of yours."

She unfolded her arms and rested her chin on her hand.

"Coach Alov pointed out a major flaw, remember? The rules can be changed by the coaches through discussion."

"Yeah."

"And the only coaches are those two. You're alone."

"...."

"Tada! What will you do in this situation? If you lose your way to control them?"

"I'm not alone."

"Huh?"

"Speak of the devil. Hey!"

I waved my hand, and Lily turned around, puzzled.

A bespectacled man with a small frame was hesitating at the entrance.

"Who's that?"

"Just as I expected, he showed up within a day. Let's settle this in one go today."

"What do you mean?"

I smirked.

Seeing my hand gesture, the bespectacled man hesitated before approaching.

"Meet our club owner, chairman, and head of the supporters' association—basically, the top boss. And this here? The person we're interviewing today."

"Interview?"

"For the assistant coach position."

Lily looked at me in disbelief, while the bespectacled man seemed just as confused.

Alov? Alensky?

No matter how much they tried to influence me, they were insignificant before a true genius.

"Maximilian. The man I want as my assistant coach."