Under the first rays of morning sun, Jatgenich rubbed his eyes and got out of bed.
Looking at his sleeping wife, he tiptoed to the wardrobe, took out a sweatshirt, and quietly walked out again.
However, the movement still woke his wife.
"Is it 7 o'clock already?"
His wife yawned and got up.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," Jatgenich apologized.
His wife yawned again, then smiled: "Today is your first day working for the National Team, I certainly need to prepare for you."
Upon hearing this, Jatgenich smiled even more brightly.
Jatgenich, formerly a scout for Dinamo Zagreb, was the person who brought Suker and Modrić from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Now, he received an invitation from Bešić to join the Croatia National Team coaching staff today, working as an information collection and analyst.
This was a very meaningful thing for Jatgenich.
Unlike the tedious scouting work at Dinamo Zagreb, which required him to travel constantly for years, rarely returning home throughout the year.
This time, joining the National Team coaching staff, his job would become much more stable.
Of course, most importantly, he would be able to witness history firsthand.
That's right!
This Croatia National Team was special to all its people.
Although Davor Šuker's Golden Generation gave them an amazing feeling, the generation of Suker and Modrić had transcended the realm of amazing; they were truly a world-class powerhouse.
They had enough strength to contend for the World Cup!
This was Croatia's closest chance to win the World Cup!
After a period of morning jogging, Jatgenich felt refreshed.
When he returned to the house, his wife had already prepared breakfast, and his son was groggily eating, clearly not fully awake.
"I'm going to take Danny to school in a bit, and then go to work," his wife said, untying her apron.
Jatgenich blinked: "School is closed today, because of the National Team's match, all schools nationwide are off for one day!"
Although it was only a European qualifier, for Croatia, this match would determine whether they could secure first place in their group one round early.
Therefore, the education department decided to close schools nationwide.
"Oh~~~" His wife slapped her forehead: "Look at me."
With that, she walked over and kissed her son on the forehead.
"Honey, can you play at home by yourself today?"
Son: "I want to go play football with Luiz!"
"The field near the entrance?"
"No! The field in the city center!"
"Danny, don't think I don't know you've got a new girlfriend."
...
Danny was a little embarrassed; for a child experiencing his first crush, being caught like this was somewhat awkward.
Jatgenich, standing by, couldn't help but chuckle, winking at his son without saying anything.
After his wife left, Jatgenich cleared his throat and said to his son: "Do you have any thoughts about developing in football?"
Upon hearing this, his son said directly: "No! None! Not at all!"
Jatgenich was stunned for a moment: "The club's feedback on you is very good."
Danny was training in Dinamo Zagreb's youth academy, and in his monthly and year-end evaluations, he consistently received very good feedback.
"Of course it's good, because my dad is Jatgenich, someone who can knock on the boss's office door anytime, and even the coaches say you're going to be part of the club's future decision-making!". Danny said in the calmest tone.
Jatgenich couldn't help but sigh.
In fact, Danny was right; if he hadn't accepted Bešić's invitation this time, he would have been directly promoted to the position of club general manager.
However, some things were more important than that.
Moreover, when Jatgenich returned from the National Team, he would still have these job opportunities, and even more.
After all, as a scout who brought talented players like Suker, Modrić, Mandžukić, Rakitić, and Vukojević to Dinamo Zagreb, his reputation was not only immense in Croatia but also very prominent in the world of scouting.
This resume could even land him a scouting job at a top club.
At this point, Danny continued: "I know my talent, I'm not cut out for playing football. I'm already 14, and if I can't make it now, there's no need to talk about the future."
"In the youth academy, those true talents, not to mention Suker and others, just look at Kovacic; he was playing with the U15s at 13, and at 15, he was already playing U18!"
"The reason I can play in the same age group now is because my dad is Jatgenich."
Jatgenich grinned: "You don't need to underestimate yourself, look at Suker! He..."
"Oh~~~ My God!" Danny immediately waved his hand, shaking his head with a mature look: "Stop talking about that, the coaches have already made us sick of it."
"Suker's story is probably the most inspiring story in all of Croatia, but there's only one Suker, and did Suker really achieve his current success just through hard work?"
"Don't forget, he was already named best scorer in the Bosnia and Herzegovina amateur League at 16!"
"What hindered his development was insufficient nutrition and limited height. Once he grew, no one could stop him!"
"So, Suker is also an exceptionally talented player. A 16-year-old, under 150 centimeters, being the best scorer in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that itself is a terrifying thing."
Danny shook his head: "You want to motivate me with Suker's story, but it's useless to me. I can't become Suker."
Looking at the stubborn Danny, Jatgenich could only shake his head and say: "Alright, I respect your opinion."
He paused, then added: "Do you need me to give you some equipment? Man's equipment!"
Danny froze for a moment, then his face flushed, and he immediately turned and ran away.
Watching his son's retreating figure, Jatgenich finally chuckled: "He's still just a kid!"
After eating, Jatgenich took out a clean and tidy National Team coaching uniform from his wardrobe.
It was a deep blue long-sleeved shirt, with a V-neck and a collared design.
Jatgenich took out the coaching uniform and carefully examined the team crest on it. He particularly looked at the upper edge of the crest, where a star was missing!
Zagreb National Training Center.
When Jatgenich arrived at the training base, the training field was empty; training had clearly not yet begun.
He went straight to the office building and accurately found Bešić's office.
Knock knock!
A knock on the door!
"Come in!" Bešić's muffled voice sounded.
Jatgenich pushed the door open. Before he could speak, or even take a sip of water, Bešić handed him a stack of documents.
"Let's skip the welcome ceremony, the workload is heavy, can you dive straight into work?"
Facing Bešić's question, Jatgenich paused, then immediately nodded: "Of course!"
With that, the two began working on their respective tasks at the coffee table.
Jatgenich spent his first day at the National Team training center immersed in an excessive amount of work.
It wasn't until 8 PM that both of them finished tidying up.
Jatgenich stretched, massaged his aching wrist, and said: "How long has this work been accumulating?"
"A month!" With that, Bešić looked up and said: "I told you to come earlier, but you didn't!"
"I was in Africa, how could I come?" Jatgenich shrugged.
Bešić: "Did you gain anything?"
"Nothing much, just checking out those youth training bases."
Bešić nodded, then stood up and said: "Let's go, I'll treat you to a drink. We've been working hard all day, a little alcohol will help us relax."
"Is this a belated welcome ceremony?" Jatgenich chuckled.
Bešić shrugged: "You can think of it that way, I'm paying!"
The two didn't go far, but instead went to a bar less than a kilometer from the training center.
Although it was a bar, it also offered food.
They simply ordered two plates of pasta and some side dishes, their main purpose was still drinking.
Bešić personally poured Jatgenich a glass of red wine. The latter picked up the glass, swirled it for a moment, and asked: "How is the National Team doing?"
Bešić: "Not bad, their fighting strength is guaranteed, as long as there are no injuries."
"Was calling Pranjic back your decision?"
"Of course!" Bešić raised his glass, and the two gently clinked them together.
"I need some experienced veterans with World Cup experience as substitutes. Strinić, Ćorluka, Vida, and others are still too young and prone to nervousness. Even with Srna leading them, we need to strengthen the substitute positions, especially in terms of experience and mentality. That's why I called Pranjic back."
Jatgenich nodded, then said, "What about Šimunić?"
Hearing this, Bešić remained silent.
Jatgenich understood that Bešić had no intention of calling him up to the National Team.
Šimunić was still playing in Croatia, but it was no longer him choosing the team, but the team choosing him.
After all, at his age, too many unexpected things could happen, but he still wanted to enter the National Team, so he persisted.
The atmosphere quieted down. Jatgenich changed the topic, saying, "Now the defensive line is pretty much built. You've also localized the Croatia National Team. Next up is rejuvenating the team?"
"I do have that idea," Bešić said. "Srna told me that after this World Cup, he might return to Dinamo Zagreb, and his current form is indeed fluctuating. You know that after form fluctuates, what follows is a decline."
"And it's not just Srna; Pranjic, Vukojević, Dujmović, Kranjčar—these players are all getting old. I have to plan ahead."
Jatgenich: "In midfield, there's new blood like Kovacic and Brozović. With Modrić and Rakitić leading them, they should adapt quickly."
Bešić nodded: "The defensive line must get enough training and growth in this World Cup. Srna and these players won't be playing for much longer, because young players like Vida must be able to stand on their own!"
At this point, Jatgenich suddenly sighed, "Time flies so fast. Srna, Dujmović, Vukojević, Pranjic—I remember bringing these kids to the training ground. They were all so young back then, and now they're over 30!"
Bešić suddenly said, "Suker is over 180 centimeters tall!"
Pfft!
Jatgenich nearly spat out his drink. He wiped his mouth and grinned, "Don't ever say that in front of Suker. That guy is petty, and he absolutely hates it when people bring up his dark past."
Bešić couldn't help but laugh: "Don't worry, I know!"
Just then, a man wearing a baseball cap hurried over.
The man was very tall, about 190 centimeters, standing out in the crowd.
He strode quickly towards Bešić and Jatgenich, stopping abruptly beside the two.
"Sir!"
Bešić and Jatgenich both looked up.
Through the dim light, the man had a beard, but his iconic tall stature, broad shoulders, and a scar above his eyebrow made him look familiar.
"Šimunić?"
Jatgenich couldn't help but whisper.
Bešić also frowned slightly.
Šimunić looked at Bešić nervously and said, "Sir, please give me a chance. I won't let you down."
With that, he placed his backpack in front of him and began to pull things out.
This action attracted attention from those nearby. Bešić said in a deep voice, "What are you trying to do?"
"I… I…" Šimunić was so nervous he couldn't speak.
Jatgenich quickly said, "Don't talk here, let's go somewhere else."
Hearing this, Bešić looked around and nodded slightly.
Soon, the three of them moved into a private room.
The private room was quiet. Bešić and Jatgenich sat together, facing Šimunić, who sat upright.
Compared to before, Šimunić looked a bit haggard, but his eyes were still bright and spirited.
"This is a very reckless act," Bešić said.
Šimunić pursed his lips and said, "I know, but besides this method, I really couldn't find an opportunity to approach you."
Bešić turned his head, "You told him I was here."
"No!"
Before Jatgenich could speak, Šimunić spoke first, "It wasn't him."
"Then who was it?"
Thump thump thump thump!
Rapid footsteps sounded.
Another reckless figure burst into the private room.
The man was wearing sports shorts and a short-sleeved shirt. His large belly and thinning hair indicated his identity.
The Croatia National Team Assistant Coach, Van Stoyak!
Van Stoyak was out of breath. After entering the private room, his eyes immediately fell on Šimunić.
It's over!
Inhale~~~~ Exhale~~~~
Bešić took a deep breath, his eyes blazing as he stared at Van Stoyak, "Did you put a tracker on me? I need an explanation!"
Van Stoyak quickly said, "Of course, I can explain!"
The private room fell silent again.
Van Stoyak and Šimunić sat together, facing a poker-faced Bešić.
Jatgenich, meanwhile, was grinning, having stumbled upon major drama on his first day of work.
So, what exactly was going on?
"Alright, explain!"
Bešić said.
Van Stoyak glanced at Šimunić, who had his head bowed low. Van Stoyak glared at him resentfully, then sighed:
"It mainly stems from our last match. In the game against the target man, our defensive line had a series of problems, do you remember?"
Bešić nodded, "Of course I remember. That match was a bit dangerous. Because we didn't call up all the main players, we almost had a problem."
Van Stoyak nodded, "At that time, you and I discussed high-ball defending, and we agreed that we needed a tall center-back."
"And we would also look for a suitable player across the country and in other Leagues, but I first set my sights on Šimunić. After all, he has National Team experience. Although he's a bit older, he's very experienced, so I thought about whether I could collect some of his data, and then I went to the club he played for."
Bešić nodded, signaling him to continue.
Before Van Stoyak could speak, Šimunić chimed in, "I heard that the National Team Assistant Coach was coming to scout, so I asked relevant personnel to arrange a meeting. Of course, I didn't bribe him in any way. We just discussed tactics and technical aspects, and in the end, my data satisfied him, and I also believe I can continue to contribute to the National Team."
Van Stoyak: "But he was too eager. This was something I should have reported, but he went directly to you."
Šimunić looked at Bešić and said earnestly, "Sir, I just want you to know that I really can help, and I will obey any of your tactical commands. I am willing to be a substitute. I will not compete for any tactical resources. Whatever you tell me to do, I will do, even if you tell me not to play a single match, I will not complain to you, but I hope you can give me a chance."
Šimunić looked at Bešić and said, "I really want to participate in this World Cup!"
Whew~~~~
Bešić slowly exhaled. He began to gently tap the table, and the entire private room fell silent.
Šimunić's rashness indeed made him very displeased.
But some things really need to be handled flexibly. The most crucial thing was that Bešić trusted Van Stoyak's judgment. If he said Šimunić's data met the criteria, then it was truly no problem.
Bešić would not suspect Van Stoyak of bribery.
This guy had a pure passion for football, and besides, he wasn't particularly short on money. The salary the Croatia National Team paid him was enough for him to live a good life.
After a moment, Bešić slowly said, "I can't give you any promises, but I want to hear your voice. I have three demands for you."
"First: your club is currently in the relegation zone. If you finish in the top ten this season, you will have completed your task!"
"Second, I don't care about your tackles and interceptions, but in terms of aerial clearances, your data must be the best in the Croatian League!"
Šimunić nodded earnestly. Although it was harsh, it was better than no opportunity at all.
Finally, Bešić raised his third finger.
"Third…"
He pointed at Šimunić and frowned, "Shave your beard. It makes you look sloppy. I still prefer the clean and straightforward Šimunić from before!"