8. Chasing Karius

Kunaal Thakur stood firm on his decision: no outreach to Bayern Munich. As Munich 1860's general manager, he knew challenging their city rival's Bundesliga dominance was inevitable.

Starting with deference now would taint future clashes. "We'll stand tall from day one," he told Neil Goyal over coffee at the Thakur Hotel's lounge.

Neil, chairman with 51% ownership, shrugged. "Fine by me. Bayern's not our problem yet." Anna Weber, updating schedules nearby, admired Kunaal's resolve.

Her LMU scholarship demanded focus, mirroring Kunaal's drive. Neil's charm, persistent as ever, felt less substantial. With Bayern off the table, Kunaal turned to his next plan: forging ties with the Bavarian state government and German Football Association.

Kunaal convened Munich 1860's mid-level staff, probing their connections to local officials and the German Football Association (DFB). "We need allies before we hit the Bundesliga," he said.

The DFB, reeling from Germany's 2022 World Cup group-stage exit and criticism of chairman Noendorf and vice-chairman Watzke, was vulnerable. Kunaal saw an opening but wanted Neil's input. "What do you think?" he asked.

Neil, sipping chai, waved it off. "Why bother? We're 3. Liga nobodies. The DFB won't care unless we win something." Kunaal raised a brow. Neil's confidence, born of lifelong wealth, was disarming.

"Focus on the club," Neil added. "Deal with problems when they come." Kunaal, shaped by his parents' bankruptcy struggles, preferred preparation but relented. "Alright, we wait."

The DFB and government ties could wait, but the youth academy couldn't. Kunaal and Neil toured Munich 1860's training base, finding it woefully outdated—cheap artificial turf, worn-out kits, rickety goals.

Compared to Bayern Munich or even Augsburg, it was a relic. The previous Jordanian owner, hamstrung by the 50+1 rule, had underinvested. "This won't attract talent," Kunaal muttered. Neil nodded. "Fix it."

They pledged 100 million Euros to rebuild the academy, a staggering sum for a 3. Liga club. Staff gaped, stunned by the figure—more than the Jordanian's total investment.

Designers, engineers, and coaches projected a three-year build. "Right when we hit the Bundesliga," Neil said, grinning. Kunaal smirked. "If we pull this off, we'll shake Germany." Anna, taking notes, saw their ambition up close. Even Neil, often cavalier, showed commitment.

Anna's view of them had shifted. Kunaal's meticulous planning and Neil's bold resolve defied her initial rich-kid assumptions.

"Thoughts on the plan?" Kunaal asked her. Anna hesitated. "I'm no football expert, but your three-year timeline is solid. Success isn't just facilities or players, though—it's doing your part well and trusting fate."

Kunaal nodded. "Only 5% of life's controllable. Master that, and you're great."

Neil chimed in. "That 5% can spark miracles." Anna countered, "Only if it's 100% effort."

Kunaal smiled. "Let's start with 1%." Their banter was cut short by Kunaal's phone. He stepped away, returning grim-faced. "Buffon's out. Staying in Parma to retire." Silence fell.

Money hadn't swayed the legend; roots had won.

"No goalkeeper," Neil said, deflated. Kunaal rallied. "We pivot to Karius. He's struggling at Newcastle—fourth-choice, 30 years old, German. A fresh start could revive him."

Anna raised a brow. "From Champions League Newcastle to 3. Liga?" Neil grinned. "Better to rule here than rot there." Kunaal outlined Karius's career: Stuttgart youth, Manchester City, Mainz, Liverpool's 2018 Champions League final blunders, loans to Beşiktaş and Union Berlin, and Newcastle's bench.

"Karius's errors crushed his confidence," Kunaal said. "But he's got potential—eight saves in the 2023 League Cup final. He could anchor us for five years."

Neil frowned. "Risky. He's damaged goods." Kunaal nodded. "High reward, too." Anna, impressed by Kunaal's analysis, saw the strategy's logic. Neil's doubts, though, echoed her own caution.

The plan was set: head to Newcastle to court Karius. "We leave now," Neil declared. Kunaal hesitated. "Someone's gotta stay—manage the club, Toni's onboarding."

Neil smirked. "CEO's job. I'm going. Anna, you're with me to London." Anna sighed, her studies strained by these trips. "Newcastle, not London," Kunaal corrected. Neil waved it off. "England's tiny." Kunaal reassured Anna. "Neil's a showboat, but he steps up when it counts."

Anna packed, her focus split between work and exams. At Munich Airport, Neil tried charm. "Ever seen Big Ben?" Anna shut it down. "I'm here to translate, Mr. Goyal."

Her professionalism, honed by years of academic grind, kept Neil at bay. Kunaal, staying behind, prepped for Toni's arrival and youth academy groundwork, his childhood resilience driving him.