Chapter 287: Isn’t There a Lack of Funds?

As I pulled out the documents to thoroughly examine the club’s finances, a palpable tension hung in the air.

The first to speak was Neil Taylor, the club’s president, who was practically responsible for its financial affairs.

“Last year, our club reached the semifinals of the Champions League, achieving a great result. Thanks to that, many excellent players are interested in joining us,” he said.

I tore my gaze from the documents and looked up at Neil Taylor.

Ignoring my gaze, he began boasting absurdly about the club’s bright future.

“One of our advantages is the young average age of our players. That allows us to perform well in competitions and furthermore…”

I stayed silent on purpose, curious to see how far he’d go.

After passionately monologuing for a while, Neil Taylor seemed to realize that no one was answering or questioning him, and suddenly stopped.

He soon turned to me with a puzzled expression and asked.

“Do you perhaps have any questions?”

“You started talking about the financial status, but all I hear are praises for the club. That’s not what I came here for.”

I placed the documents on the table and continued.

“I’ve heard about Leeds’ past, its future, and even its vision. But the most important topic—money—is missing.”

“Um…”

“The past is great, the vision looks good, and everything is fine. But isn’t there a lack of funds? The club’s debts…”

As soon as I mentioned debts, Neil Taylor hurriedly cut me off.

“Once we return to the Champions League, we will have enough…”

I raised my hand to interrupt Neil Taylor. Left unchecked, he would ramble for ages.

“Wait. You say we can return to the Champions League?”

“Of course.”

“How? You just raised the wages that players want dramatically—and that’s led to a large deficit. So, acquiring new players is out of the question, and we’ve already sold off the good ones to other clubs. And now you’re saying we can return to the Champions League?”

As I questioned him point by point, Neil Taylor bit his lip and prepared to argue back.

“There are many young players coming up from our youth system. If they perform…”

“That’s the problem. You’re paying these young players the same as veterans. If that’s the case, it would be more beneficial for the club to bring in proven players rather than untested ones. ”

I slid a page across the table to Neil Taylor. He accepted it but didn’t even glance before asking me.

“What’s this?”

“It compares the wages your young players receive against those of top players in the Premier League and other top European leagues.”

With a suspicious expression, Neil read the document, his eyes widening in disbelief.

“How did you find out about our players’ wages? No, the exact amounts should not have been disclosed.”

The document I prepared contained detailed information on Leeds players’ wages, along with those from other club representatives.

“Is that really what’s important? Isn’t it a bigger issue to pay players amounts that make no sense? I’m not criticizing spending money. If a player is good, I don’t care what they earn. But that’s way too much for someone whose worth hasn’t even been proven yet.”

“…”

“Honestly, it’s funny to say this before the acquisition is even done, but the club is in such sad shape that it could fall to the second division within five years. But the Champions League? That’s utterly impossible.”

“What did you say?!”

At my deliberately provocative statement, Neil Taylor raised his voice.

But I didn’t stop. I passed him another document.

“It’s not just players; you are also paying your staff excessive wages. I can guarantee that you’ll be bankrupt within two years, at most five.”

“Aren’t you here to acquire the club?”

“That’s right.”

“Then why are you only talking negative things? Don’t you like Leeds? Aren’t you examining its acquisition for the club’s sake?”

Who does he think I am? I replied nonchalantly, hiding my true feelings.

“Of course, James here beside me is also an investor. No one wants to invest in a club that’s run so loosely.”

“Fine by me. I won’t hand over the club to someone who only sees it as an investment. ”

Taylor spoke firmly. He then turned to the chairman beside him.

“Chairman, we can’t hand our club over to guys like them.”

“Hmm…”

Chairman Peter sighed and rubbed his chin.

I listened closely to the conversation between Chairman Peter and President Taylor, scrutinizing their expressions.

I wanted to uncover who was siphoning club funds and whether the chairman was involved.

“You’re coming on too strong from the start, aren’t you?”

Han Gyeong-yeong whispered softly in Korean, just enough for me to hear.

“We’ve endured enough nonsense from them, haven’t we? They were the ones trying to sell us a bill of goods from the start.”

“You handle it. I’ll sit back and enjoy the show.”

Seeing Han Gyeong-yeong and me exchange glances, Neil Taylor’s face hardened.

“Is your purpose in acquiring the club really just an investment?”

Finally speaking up after a long silence, Chairman Peter asked.

“You could say it’s an investment. My goal is to make Leeds, not just a club in the UK, but the best football club in the world. Then money will follow, naturally.”

“Ooh…”

Chairman Peter finally showed a hint of interest.

“Chairman!”

Taylor called out from the side, but Peter ignored him and continued his inquiry.

“To be the best football club in the world… What a dream. Do you really think that’s possible?”

“Speaking of confidence… You mentioned James beside you, right?”

He might have meant it to lighten the mood, but Han Gyeong-yeong’s investment legend was already a tale among Wall Street’s elite.

Recalling that, Peter nodded slowly.

“After thoroughly reviewing all clubs in the Premier League as well as the second and third divisions, this is the first club we chose. If I’m not confident, I won’t even start.”

“Is that true?”

Peter posed the question to Han Gyeong-yeong beside me. He shrugged but firmly stated, pointing at me.

“I told you from the start. His decision is mine. If Charlie needs money, I’ll gladly provide it, no matter how much it is.”

“Trust is solid, then.”

With genuine admiration, Han Gyeong-yeong merely smiled, remaining tight-lipped.

“Before anything, can you tell me how you plan to manage the club? I have a deep attachment to Leeds. To me, it’s not just any club—it’s like my child.”

Peter’s expression was filled with sincerity as he spoke, and he truly seemed to love the club.

‘Does this man know nothing at all?’

Looking into his honest eyes, I decided to share part of my plan.

“We will not only rebuild the players but transform the club’s very structure. I doubt most of the current staff will remain.”

“Hmm…”

Unlike Peter, who seemed thoughtful, Neil Taylor frowned, clearly uncomfortable.

“Look here, that’s not even worth hearing. This year, we could potentially qualify for the Champions League with better performance. If that happens, the financial situation will improve. So, if the chairman could secure a loan…”

“Getting a loan is no longer viable.”

“Then perhaps personal funds…?”

“Huh… How desperate so one must be to consider selling the club? It’s been tough for me too.”

Listening to their conversation was simply laughable.

Neil Taylor was treating Chairman Peter—who genuinely cared for the club—like a naïve fool.

He was treating him not as a chairman but merely as a source of money.

“Chairman?”

Staying in the room would only mean watching a fruitless argument. I called for Peter to end their conversation.

“I want to send people out and talk to the chairman properly.”

“Hmm…”

“No!”

“In the end, buying or selling the club is the chairman’s decision. It all boils down to whether you want to transfer your share to me or not. That’s all we need to decide.”

Peter’s expression revealed his struggle, as he sighed lightly and replied.

“It’s not just my club. It belongs to the executives, the staff, and all the fans who come to support us. It’s everyone’s club.”

This man clearly understood nothing. If this were an act, he should be in the film industry as a performer instead.

“Chairman, that’s why I want to have this serious conversation with you.”

“But…”

“Chairman. This isn’t acceptable. Don’t fall for their sweet talk.”

“You see, Taylor, since you found this in the beginning…”

Neil Taylor was desperate. It was clear he was trying to stop himself from being sidelined.

Watching him, I exchanged a knowing glance with Han Gyeong-yeong.

‘He’s the one, right?’

‘Yeah. He’s the one eating in the middle.’

We didn’t have to speak; just a glance conveyed everything we meant to say.

It was a bond formed from years of knowing each other well.

Meanwhile, Neil Taylor passionately pleaded with the chairman.

“Our club deserves a chairman like you, someone with your breadth of understanding. Just two years—no, just one year of hardship, and the club’s financial status will improve.”

“Let’s at least hear it out. Everyone, please step outside.”

“Chairman!”

Neil Taylor’s voice rose in protest. Peter frowned and spoke again.

“I told you to leave. I’m not saying we should dismiss everything outright. Why are you so negative towards selling the club? Surely a better chairman than me could exist?”

“…There won’t be a better chairman than you.”

“Fine, then please step outside for now.”

But it seemed Peter had made up his mind. Rather than continue speaking, he signaled with his hand for them to leave.

Taylor stood up reluctantly, glancing back at me and Han Gyeong-yeong before leaving the conference room, slamming the door shut with a loud bang.

Peter defended him.

“Ah, that guy… I’m sorry, it’s just his nature. He’s not a bad person. He really is talented, especially given the financial burden he’s shouldered while still securing good results for our club.”

Is he a good guy or just a fool? I was simply too stunned to respond for a while.

“So, why do you want everyone out and want to talk to me? Yes, I’m the chairman, but I can’t decide everything on my own. I don’t hold all the shares; they’re distributed across various parties.”

As Peter explained, he was right. Most European football clubs have complicated ownership structures.

Leeds had, at least, a majority of its shares spread among a few individuals. Peter in front of me held over 70% of the club’s shares.

Most people who invested at this stage were doing so to maintain a club they loved rather than seeking a profit.

But ever since Roman took over Chelsea and the attention of wealthy investors began to rise, perceptions shifted dramatically.

These new wealthy investors had money in abundance but lacked prestige. They fervently sought to acquire renowned clubs to fill their void.

This propelled club valuations upward, and consequently, the market for star players swelled sky-high.

Until now, when a player’s transfer fee was excessively high, public opinion would generally subdue that trend, but this was about to change.

There have always been more talented players than there are wealthy buyers.

The battle funded by the cash of these new wealthy investors seeking prestige was not far off.

“I understand. If we can obtain a stake from the chairman, everything else will fall into place. And if you speak, everyone will listen, right?”

The shareholders holding the club’s stakes knew how much Chairman Peter had worked for the club.

Therefore, they generally supported the chairman’s decisions.

Noticing that Peter still looked troubled, I took out a few documents and photos from my briefcase and handed them to the chairman.

“First, take a look at this before we continue our conversation.”

“What’s this?”

“It’s a summary of how Leeds, as a prestigious club, ended up in such disarray financially.”

Surprise filled Peter’s face as he alternately glanced between the documents and me.