Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

chapter 121



121 – Nuevo Emperador

121

The TSV 1860 Munich documentary, which had been in production since last season, was finally released.

The story of someone who fell and got back up again, achieving success, is a universal theme that works anywhere.

In that sense, the story of TSV 1860 Munich, once a powerhouse in German football alongside Bayern Munich, was the perfect material to stimulate viewers.

The documentary began by showing the team’s glorious past, their recent struggles in the third division, and their current status as champions after 70 years.

It then delved into the painful feelings of the team’s executives, coaches, and players during their downfall through interviews, followed by the process of their hard work and eventual return to the Bundesliga, which heightened viewers’ expectations.

Finally, the story of “that recruitment” unfolded.

“The joy of promotion didn’t last long. We soon faced the harsh reality. In an era where capital dominates football, it’s difficult for a financially weakーteam like ours to survive. It’s really tough. So, we had to worry about relegation as soon as we got promoted.” — Chairman Hans Johannes

“It was an adventure. It was a huge challenge. Recruiting two Asian players without professional experience and closing the transfer market was a crazy decision, even thinking about it now. But we went ahead with it. We were all crazy back then, and we chose to take the risk with a faint glimmer of hope.” — Scout Günter Schwarz

“I confirmed the success of the two foreigners through medical tests. Football isn’t just about numbers, but at least for us, objective indicators are more important. So, I measured the physical abilities of the two players and confirmed their success. I thought, ‘They’ll succeed…’ But I didn’t expect it to be this fast.”

— Team Doctor Hans Volpert Meyer

The year 21st-century TSV 1860 Munich’s top two signings simultaneously.

The turning point for Munich’s recruitment.

It was the recruitment of Joo Ji-tae and Cho Jae-shin.

The initial negative reactions gradually changed, showing a completely different atmosphere. The broadcast continued to show the players’ interviews.

“I thought Joo Ji-tae was just an Asian player with a pretty face. Our club went all out, promoting the Asian market, and I thought we were short on funds… I had all sorts of thoughts. This isn’t meant to belittle Joo Ji-tae, but think about it. We just got promoted, and we needed reinforcements, but we suddenly signed a 10-year-old Asian player. I really thought the club was going to collapse.” — Captain Daniel Raut

“He’s an unbelievable player! Really! I never thought I’d see a player who could play perfectly without making a single mistake!” — Bertie Meyer

“When I’m on the ground, I can see the entire field. It’s a small advantage that only goalkeepers have. So, I can see everything, whether it’s our team or the opposing team. It’s like I can sense it. Ah, that guy is playing with ease, that guy is enjoying the game, that guy is nervous. But Joo Ji-tae was different. From his debut, he played with an unbelievable sense of ease, like a veteran. I saw that and thought, ‘This kid is either crazy or an amazing player.’ What’s the result? Everyone knows, right? He’s an amazing player, really amazing.” — Hans Zimmer

The players’ interviews, filled with praise for Joo Ji-tae, could have sparked controversy over scripted responses. However, the objective and clear performances of the players blocked such controversy.

The broadcast continued to show the two players’ game footage, which was edited like a highlight reel, showcasing their incredible performances.

The first season, when they were worried about relegation, but surprised everyone by competing for the championship.

Facing strong teams like Bayern Munich, Dortmund, and Leipzig in the league.

Their first Champions League game, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the theme song.

Their heartbreaking defeat to Bayern Munich, which confirmed their championship.

Finally, the broadcast ended with Joo Ji-tae’s bright smile, holding the Meister Schale trophy.

“Some say he’s the second ‘Kaiser’ Franz Beckenbauer. In my opinion, that’s not true. He’s already paving his own way as a player. While Kaiser perfected the libero position, Joo Ji-tae is creating a new type beyond that. For me, Joo Ji-tae is already more than the ‘Kaiser.’ He represents a new era and is already a legend of our time.” — Coach Willem van Roodebeek

* * *

As always, the transfer market was bustling with activity.

“Multiple teams eyeing Villarreal’s playmaker”

“Aston Villa planning to sign a top-notch striker for reinforcement”

“RB Leipzig aiming to break the transfer record again this season?”

“Inter’s dark transfer market outlook”

Most transfer news articles received little attention, with only big league news grabbing readers’ interest. Finally, a major scoop was dropped.

“Kicker Editor-in-Chief Lucien Haimann: ‘TSV 1860 Munich will make a major decision within the week'”

The Munich transfer rumor, known for its sweetness.

The whirlwind team had occasionally appeared, and such teams always became the center of the transfer market.

The team’s low profile, compared to their good performance and good players, was a perfect condition for a team to be dismantled.

In fact, Munich had received attention in the previous transfer market.

The team, which was likely to be relegated, competed for the championship, drawing attention. With low player values and salaries, they received numerous love calls.

However, the team’s unexpected decision to keep their core players led to a dull transfer market. Munich created a surprising result, winning the Bundesliga championship, and their core players performed well in the World Cup.

Once again, they achieved great success, but the team’s profile and finances couldn’t keep up, so they were expected to become the hottest topic in the transfer market. The first report sparked a flurry of Munich-related news.

“Multiple EPL teams eyeing Cho Jae-shin”

“Arsenal willing to spend 70 million euros for Korea’s top striker”

“Manchester United planning to sign Cho Jae-shin from Munich”

“Leicester City close to agreeing on a 30 million euro transfer for Rodell Ditz”

“Valencia wants to sign Munich’s active midfielder Allen Walker on a free transfer”

“Munich captain Daniel Raut heading to AC Milan?”

“Bundesliga champions Munich, is their team about to collapse?”

After the first report, Munich-related news started pouring in like a flood. The news of Munich’s “Black Friday” sale, with many good players at low prices, attracted attention from big clubs to smaller teams, making the transfer market a hot topic in an instant.

However, the one who received the most attention was undoubtedly Joo Ji-tae, the core of Munich.

『To welcome the second Kaiser, PSG has loaded an enormous amount of ammunition』

『Manchester City’s top priority is Korea’s World Cup star』

『Real Madrid, pairing with Fernando Alvarez, has chosen Joo Ji-tae!』

『Joo Ji-tae—Newcastle is preparing a 140M pound bid to take over the Korean duo with Cho Jae-shin』

『The fierce competition for recruitment has made Munich “laugh”』

『Will Joo Ji-tae break the record for the highest transfer fee in defender history with 1 billion euros?』

The big clubs, who had a lot of money, were all connected, and even Bayern Munich and Juventus were drawn in, but the end of Joo Ji-tae’s transfer saga was—

『(Breaking news) Joo Ji-tae spotted on a flight to Spain! Where is he headed?』

『Joo Ji-tae appears at Barcelona Airport!』

『Mundo Deportivo: “Joo Ji-tae’s transfer is imminent!”』

『Sport’s Alexis Pellegrini reveals Joo Ji-tae’s transfer probability at 99%!』

『Romeo: “Welcome, Korean Kaiser!”』

『(Official) Barcelona signs Joo Ji-tae for 125M euros』

It was Barcelona.

『1.8 trillion! An enormous transfer fee that’s hard to believe!』

『Joo Ji-tae sets a new record! The defender’s transfer fee surpasses the 800M pounds Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire from Leicester City!』

Almost simultaneously with the official article, a photo of Joo Ji-tae wearing a Barcelona uniform was posted on the club’s official website.

Unlike a normal uniform photo, Joo Ji-tae sat grandly on a luxurious chair, with the words “Saludar, Nuevo Emperador!” and “Welcome, new Emperor!” written in Spanish and Korean below the photo.


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