Chapter 499: I Still Think It’s Not Enough

Fortunately there were no direct clashes between Chelsea and Leeds fans.

The Chelsea fans began leaving the stadium while trying to contain their frustration.

However chaos erupted when thousands of Leeds fans suddenly stormed the pitch disrupting the Premier League officials who were preparing for the victory ceremony.

Some ran across the field while others dangerously climbed and swayed atop the goalposts.

Police formed a human barrier to buy time for the players to reach the locker room.

“Congratulations Charlie on winning your first Premier League title.”

Though disappointment flickered across Roman’s face he showed no signs of resentment.

Roman and I stood exchanging handshakes and embraces.

“As the losing side I’ll take my leave. Enjoy the ceremony and celebrations.”

Roman and the Chelsea executives left their seats. The moment they departed a loud voice erupted beside me.

“Hey hey! We won! We really won!”

Myeong-su who’d been privately celebrating wrapped his arms around my neck from behind.

I couldn’t help but smile as he bounced around in pure joy.

“Yeah we did it. I never thought we’d actually lift the trophy. Guess there’s something to being a prestigious club after all.”

Even with money to buy good players it takes a long time just to build a foundation without a proper system in place.

But Leeds’ golden-age executives along with Hiddink and his coaching staff achieved victory in such a short time.

While the executives ran the club smoothly without issues Hiddink united the players into one.

He terminated contracts with problematic players and brought in fresh blood from the youth team.

When that wasn’t enough he recruited needed players from the transfer market.

Still with Hiddink taking charge so recently the team depth felt somewhat lacking.

I’ll have to get their input and reinforce our strength.

“Let’s head down now.”

Security guards and police were herding pitch invaders back to their seats.

The entrance to the locker room was completely sealed off and both goalposts had been destroyed. Several people were already injured.

It would take quite a while to calm the frenzy of the overly excited crowd.

“Now this is what you call madness. Think it’s safe to go down?”

“Want to see the players? Let’s stop by the locker room first.”

“Alright!!”

Myeong-su shouted with excitement as if he’d forgotten his earlier concerns.

“They must be popping champagne and going crazy right now.”

“Yeah I’ve seen videos before but I never thought I’d witness it in person. Dancing sliding on the floor covered in champagne…”

Just then Leeds United executives approached me.

“Director Ellen thank you for all your hard work.”

“It’s all thanks to Charlie. By trusting us with full authority we were able to achieve these great results.”

“Ellen you’re quite the smooth talker too. Let’s head to the locker room. I want to see the players’ faces. And of course the coaching staff too. They’re the real unsung heroes aren’t they?”

“Absolutely. This achievement came from everyone working together. Even with excellent players we couldn’t have achieved these results without the coaching staff’s efforts.”

We continued our conversation while heading down toward the locker room.

“How do you plan to handle the victory bonuses? The players have it in their contracts of course. Do the coaching staff besides the manager have similar arrangements?”

“Nothing specifically in the contracts. We hadn’t expected to win… We’ll need to convene a board meeting to discuss it.”

Any job needs clear compensation. That’s how you build loyalty and motivation.

While I pondered the bonus amounts Aili ran up to join our group.

Introducing her to Myeong-su as she beamed with joy.

“Ah Myeong-su this is my brother Gyeong’s girlfriend.”

“Oh really?”

Myeong-su greeted her warmly.

“Hello I’m Park Myeong-su. James and I are like brothers. I had no idea James had such a beautiful girlfriend.”

Aili’s face reddened slightly at the word ‘girlfriend.’

She seemed even more embarrassed with Ellen standing nearby.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Aili.”

“I’ve never envied James before but today I’m a bit jealous.”

Myeong-su led the conversation while complimenting Aili.

I left Aili with Myeong-su and resumed my conversation with Ellen.

“What about bonuses for the executives?”

“We haven’t set anything specific for that either.”

“Really? That’s surprising.”

“Everyone joined the executive team hoping for good results. They’re not the type to sign contracts demanding such things.”

“Working just for the team’s sake huh? So they would’ve worked without pay?”

“Well… that’s…”

Ellen scratched his head awkwardly at my teasing.

“Haha I’m just kidding just kidding.”

Ellen was fun to tease being so serious like Manager Ma.

As we neared the locker room we could hear the players and coaching staff shouting.

“Ooooh!! Ohhh!!”

“Hiddink! Hiddink!! Woohoo!!”

The locker room was already in chaos when we arrived.

The floor was soaked with champagne and players were rolling around expressing their joy.

“Everyone well done. Our team winning the Premier League – this is truly a joyous day.”

Ellen gave an official congratulatory speech on behalf of the executives.

“Ellen! Ellen! Ellen!!”

The players chanted Ellen’s name. Meanwhile I looked around.

Ronaldo was nowhere to be seen.

“Is Ronaldo’s injury serious? I don’t see him.”

“He’s in the medical room now. We should probably take him to the hospital but he insists on holding the trophy first.”

Manager Hiddink replied with a troubled expression.

“How bad is the injury? What do the medical staff say?”

“We’ll need proper tests but they think it’s a recurrence of his previous injury. His knee…”

“Hmm… If it’s serious will there be roster issues?”

“We’ll need to sign players this transfer window. As for details…”

Hiddink glanced toward the players letting his words trail off.

The celebrating players’ faces darkened at the mention of Ronaldo’s injury.

Seeing this I quickly changed the subject.

“Everyone excellent work. We’ve lifted the trophy thanks to all your dedication. Some of you may know me others may not but I’m this club’s owner. As for celebrations…”

I deliberately paused. The players in the locker room focused on my words.

“Rather than words money speaks loudest right? You all have victory bonus clauses in your contracts. On top of that I’ll personally add an extra 10,000 pounds bonus for everyone. This applies to all first-team players not just the starting lineup.”

“Woah!!”

Money talks better than formal speeches. The response was even louder than for Ellen’s words.

I looked at the coaching staff standing with Manager Hiddink and continued.

“The coaching staff will also receive the same 10,000 pound bonus. Thank you for your hard work this season.”

The coaching staff erupted in cheers at hearing they’d get bonuses too.

“Charlie! Charlie! Charlie!”

Everyone in the locker room chanted my name.

Just then a Premier League official entered.

“It’s time for the victory ceremony. Everyone please shower change into your uniforms and come out.”

As the players headed to the showers I spoke to Myeong-su who was getting Hiddink’s autograph.

“Let’s head out too. We should watch the ceremony.”

“Huh? Oh but I didn’t get the players’ autographs…”

Myeong-su looked longingly toward the shower area licking his lips in disappointment.

Despite his sharp business sense he looked every bit his young age at moments like this.

I chuckled and patted his shoulder.

“Forgot your friend owns Leeds? I’ll get you a uniform with all the players’ signatures later.”

“Really? Ha! That’s Kim Mu-hyeok for you. I’m proud to call you my friend.”

I turned to Ellen saying

“Please get all the first team players to sign a uniform. That’s possible right?”

“Yes of course.”

“Great I’m leaving in three days so please have it ready before then. Shall we head out? The players and coaching staff need to prepare.”

We left the locker room through the players’ tunnel to the field.

The pitch invaders had returned to their seats and Premier League officials were preparing for the ceremony.

Cameras focused on me Myeong-su and the executives.

“Wow!! Ellen! Ellen!”

“Charlie! Charlie!”

Players started chanting Ellen’s and my names.

Some even incorporated my name into their chants.

I waved to them in response.

Then someone with a microphone ran toward me.

“You’re the club owner right? How about a word for the fans?”

I looked uncertainly at Ellen but she just smiled and urged me to speak.

Well let’s enjoy this. When else would I receive such positive attention?

I took the microphone and walked to the center of the field.

“Charlie! Charlie! Charlie! Charlie!”

The chants grew louder but quieted when I raised my hand.

“Ah testing. This is Charlie.”

“Wooooo!!!”

Smiling at the renewed cheers I continued.

“When I bought this club someone said something. That you can’t buy a trophy with money. I’m sure most people thought the same. The British football world and media mocked us.”

‘You can’t buy trophies with money. You can’t buy history with money.’

These were the words Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson spoke to the media.

The criticism we faced then was immense.

While Murdoch wrote somewhat favorable articles all other media criticized foreign capital for tarnishing the Premier League.

Even these fans now cheering for me opposed and doubted me then.

“I know you looked at us with skepticism then. I promised you then. That I’d make it possible for you to support the team without worry. I’m still working to keep that promise. I still think it’s not enough. Our goal is to build a new home stadium and turn the surrounding area into a destination for football lovers.”

“Wooooooooo!!!”

Leeds fans once full of distrust now showed unlimited trust and love.

Repaying such fans wasn’t difficult.

“Leeds is a club with long history. A club that’s shared over a hundred years with you almost went bankrupt due to incompetent management. But we’re breaking that vicious cycle now. No matter the cost I’ll make this team Europe’s top prestigious club. All you need to do is take pride in being fans and support us. Thank you.”

I finished speaking and waved to the fans.

Fans chanted my name making the stadium shake and I smiled while walking back to the executives.

As I left the field fans stopped cheering and started applauding.

“That was a great speech.”

Ellen said to me and I just smiled.

“Wow Kim Mu-hyeok you’ve got skills! You’d make a good politician.”

While chatting with the joking Myeong-su the players came onto the field.

Thankfully Ronaldo appeared too though he needed a teammate’s support to walk.

The ceremony concluded with players receiving their medals and they began greeting the fans.

After watching for a while I said to Myeong-su

“Let’s head back to the hotel and watch the celebrations while resting.”

I turned to leave with Myeong-su.

Suddenly the players rushed toward us.

They grabbed the startled me and started tossing me in the air.

My body repeatedly rose and fell. I could hear joyful voices calling my name.

An inexplicable satisfaction washed over me. This isn’t so bad.

I naturally went with the flow enjoying the crowd’s cheers.