"Luka, your talent is unparalleled. You just haven't adapted to the Bosnia and Herzegovina League yet. Next season, I'll give you more opportunities, more tactical importance. I believe that with our cooperation, we can create a glory for HSK that it's never seen before!"
A young man and a teenager.
One was Modric, and the other was the Dutch Head Coach of Mostar Zrinjski, Fania Van Steyaek.
Van Stiake was 33 this year, a capable assistant coach from the Netherlands.
He once worked alongside Bob Robson, coaching Eindhoven, one of the top three clubs in the Netherlands.
However, as a Dutchman, Van Stiake's coaching philosophy clashed with Robson's. Being Dutch, he seemed naturally committed to Total Football.
For the British Head Coach Robson, on the other hand, fast transitions between offense and defense and counter-attacking were the way to go. Simple, direct, traditional British Style football was also Robson's coaching philosophy.
After working together for two years, Van Stiake finally decided to strike out on his own. Through a club arrangement, he was sent down to coach Mostar Zrinjski in the Bosnia and Herzegovina League to hone his ability to lead a team independently.
Van Stiake was a very ambitious young man. For him, ever since his time as an assistant coach at Eindhoven, his goal had been to become a Head Coach like Hiddink.
It was just that due to their philosophical differences with Robertson, the two could never reach a consensus.
Having come to Mostar Zrinjski, Van Stiake planned to make a big splash. Especially since the brain-dead Dinamo Zagreb had loaned them such a great treasure.
Modric's talent was plain to see. Although his performance in the Bosnia and Herzegovina League hadn't been particularly good at first, he believed that under his guidance, Modric would become the team's organizational core and further develop the offensive abilities of their tall forward, Kosopech.
Once they'd finished gelling as a team, they wouldn't just be competing in Bosnia and Herzegovina; they could even challenge in European Competition.
These were all key things that could enrich his resume.
And what he needed to do now was to keep this great treasure of his stable, fill him with motivation and passion, which was why he had invited him to watch the FIFA World Cup.
He hoped that under the stimulation of the FIFA World Cup, Modric could find more motivation.
Van Stiake continuously laid out his grand blueprint, observing Modric's expression from time to time.
But something was off!
His prized treasure wasn't watching the game on TV, but was staring intently at a waiter.
"Luka? Luka?"
Modric snapped back to reality and turned to Van Stiake. "What is it, Coach?"
Van Stiake asked, "What do you want to drink? My treat today."
With that, he said with a smile, "A cocktail? You've never had one, have you? You can give it a try. It's also a symbol of becoming a man."
Without waiting for Modric to say anything, Van Stiake immediately raised his hand.
Modric frowned slightly but didn't object.
Soon, a cheerful voice called out.
"Good evening, I hope you have a pleasant ni... Luka?"
Suk looked at Modric in surprise.
Modric smiled back at Suk, raising a hand and waving it gently, all traces of his earlier absentmindedness gone.
Van Stiake asked curiously, "You two know each other?"
Modric was succinct. "We're friends."
Suk smiled as well.
Van Stiake was surprised. He hadn't expected someone with Modric's personality to have any friends; after all, his relationships at the club weren't great.
Van Stiake looked Suk up and down.
He was short, with a round face and baby fat that gave him a childish look.
Even standing next to Modric, he gave off the impression of being a child.
"You're really friends?"
Suk and Modric nodded in unison.
"Alright," Van Stiake said, shaking his head. "One dark beer, and one special cocktail, not too much alcohol."
Suk turned to Modric. "You drink?"
Modric didn't say anything.
After their interactions over this period, Suk had figured it out.
This guy was extremely introverted and shy; he didn't know how to refuse people.
"Have some milk. It's on me," Suk said with a wave of his hand.
Modric smiled again.
Then, Suk turned to Van Stiake and said with a grin, "Sir, your drink will have to be on a separate tab. When we get to know each other better, maybe I'll treat you too!"
Van Stiake was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "Alright, I'll leave it to you!"
Suk zipped off and was gone in a flash.
Van Stiake turned his head and asked, "You made a friend in Mostar?"
Modric nodded. "It was a coincidence."
Van Stiake nodded. Being able to make friends meant Modric wasn't a child with real social problems. That was good news.
"One dark beer, one milk, and a steak! Forty Marks in total!"
Van Stiake blinked, looking at the steak. "We didn't order a steak."
Suk pointed at Modric. "He's so skinny, and he's a professional player. How's he supposed to bulk up if he doesn't eat well?"
After saying that, Suk leaned close to Modric and whispered, "He's paying, right?"
Modric suppressed a laugh and nodded.
Suk held out his hand again and said firmly, "Forty Marks."
Van Stiake was speechless, but he still shook his head and prepared to pull out his money.
After taking the money, Suk finally noticed a small pin on Van Stiake's chest.
The badge looked very familiar; it was the team crest of Mostar Zrinjski.
Suk's eyes darted, and he looked at Modric. "Aren't you going to introduce us?"
Modric was stunned for a second, but he still answered honestly, "Fania Van Steyaek. He's the Head Coach of Mostar Zrinjski."
'Just as I thought!'
Suk exclaimed internally. He immediately stopped leaving, plopped down in a chair, and faced Van Stiake with a smile. "Hello, sir. My name is Suk, and I currently play in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Second League."
"A professional player?" Van Stiake was surprised.
He hadn't expected someone with Suk's build to be a professional player.
"That's right, a professional player. A center forward!"
"A center forward?"
Van Stiake frowned and shook his head subconsciously.
'This guy is 155 centimeters at most, right?'
'A center forward of this height? You've got to be kidding me!'
"But I'm the top scorer. In 18 league matches, I've scored 14 goals!"
COUGH, COUGH, COUGH!!
Van Stiake coughed violently, choking on his drink.
His eyes widened. "Scored 14 goals?"
Suk nodded immediately.
Van Stiake nodded. "Fourteen goals, that's impressive."
Suk blinked, continuing to look at Van Stiake.
Van Stiake thought Suk hadn't heard him and nodded again. "Very impressive."
Suk continued to stare.
Van Stiake was baffled.
'What does he mean?'
Seeing the coach's bewildered expression, Suk scratched his head and sighed. 'Opportunities are something you have to fight for yourself.'
Suk took a deep breath, looked at Van Stiake, and said seriously, "Not everyone gets a chance like this to meet a Head Coach. I want to be a professional player, a real professional player. I want to play for Mostar Zrinjski!"
This time, Suk was being direct enough.
"If you have the chance, I'd like to invite you to watch me play. I believe my performance won't disappoint you."
Just as Suk finished speaking, a customer behind him shouted.
"Three dark beers over here!"
Suk turned his head and responded, "Coming!"
Immediately, Suk looked back at the astonished Van Stiake and said, "I really won't disappoint you, and I can adapt to any position you choose for me."
"Hey! Three dark beers!"
The urging voice called out again, and Suk turned to leave.
Before he left, he declared once more:
"Don't forget, my name is Suk, and I will not disappoint you."
With that, Suk scurried away.
Van Stiake still hadn't recovered. He never expected that someone would recommend themselves to him while he was just out for a relaxing drink.
And it was a 155-centimeter-tall center forward?
Van Stiake shook his head. He didn't need that kind of player.
"You'd better go watch him."
Just as Van Stiake was about to take another drink, Modric, who had been quiet on the side, suddenly spoke.
Van Stiake turned to look at Modric.
"You think I need to go watch him?"
Modric nodded. "The reason we became friends is because of football. Other than his height, he meets all the requirements for the Super League, and he can help us."
After a pause, Modric added, "I've played with him many times. His forward runs and my through balls are an excellent match. He's currently the only person who can read my passing intentions and ideas. In other words, he has the same vision and game sense as I do."
"Suk is only 155 centimeters tall. The fact that he can be the top scorer in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Second League means he has something special about him."
"I believe Head Coaches are known for their unconventional thinking and their skill in developing players. Once his abilities are developed, he can elevate our team by a huge margin!"
It was the first time Van Stiake had ever heard Modric say so much at once.
And all of it was for one person.
He understood Modric to a certain extent. When it came to football, the guy was extremely proud. If someone didn't have enough skill, they wouldn't even register on Modric's radar, let alone earn such high praise.
It turned out that a recommendation from an acquaintance was truly effective.
Van Stiake went from his initial indifference to now stroking his chin and gazing toward Suk, as if he were deep in thought.