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January 2nd News: The Korean media, The National Daily, published an article titled "Behind-the-Scenes Stories of T1's Transfer Period as Narrated by Chairman Jeong Hoi-run." The translation of the first part is as follows:
Q: What is the secret to successfully renewing contracts with free-agent players Zeus, Gumayusi, and Keria?
Chairman Jeong Hoi-run: All three players who entered the free-agent market valued an environment where they could grow and learn. They not only aimed for excellent results and good treatment but also hoped to create an environment where both professional players and ordinary individuals could mature.
To ensure continuous player development, I believe it is crucial to have people who can positively influence them, and having an excellent leader is the most important. Therefore, signing kkOma as the head coach was the first step in our strategy for the T1 transfer period.
If creating a growth environment for players, including bringing in kkOma, is the first secret to contract renewals, the second secret is the players' loyalty to T1. During the negotiation process, I felt the players' love for T1. For me and the team, this is something to be grateful for.
Q: When did you plan to sign kkOma as the head coach?
Chairman Jeong Hoi-run: Before the start of the World Championship, we made a proposal to kkOma, and the signing was completed before the end of the World Championship. We didn't want to leave the impression that we would act impulsively based on the match results. He was our Plan A for a long time. So before the World Championship started, we told him, "We want to sign you regardless of the World Championship results."
Initially, the team proposed a two-year contract because we believed that signing for an additional year after two years, considering the uncertainties in the team's future, wouldn't be beneficial for him. However, kkOma suggested a three-year contract. He said that if he stayed with the team, he could build a healthy team next year (2024) and the year after. Since he had served T1 for seven years before, he wanted to spend a decade with the team.
Q: Why did you want to sign kkOma as the head coach instead of other coaches?
Chairman Jeong Hoi-run: kkOma is a coach highly respected by players based solely on his professional career achievements, and I think this is a very intuitive outcome, so there's no need to mention it separately. I highly praised kkOma for four qualities.
First is his ability to read the game. He objectively points out the strengths and weaknesses of the players within an acceptable range. For players like T1 who have a high level of game understanding and their own philosophies, it's challenging to implement their ideas. A coach must have a high level of ability to read the game.
The second point is meticulousness. While actual gameplay is important, before that, in the process of preparing for matches, it's necessary to take care of the team meticulously. We hope the coach can communicate with the players frequently, guide them, and even make the players feel well taken care of in detail.
The third point is tradition. For fans who have long supported T1, signing kkOma should be particularly meaningful. He is a founding hero who led T1 to three World Championship titles and established T1 as a brand.
The fourth point is passion. Although as a coach in the esports field, he has already received all the honors possible, kkOma still loves the game. He continues to enjoy conversations centered around the game with the players. Working with such a coach, all the players will be immersed in the game.
Q: After signing kkOma as the head coach, you entered the transfer period upon winning the World Championship.
Chairman Jeong Hoi-run: The team's primary goal was to complete contract renewals with three players before the transfer period started, that is, before the 21st. However, we were unable to achieve this. Due to the impact of the Hangzhou Asian Games, the preparation time for this year's transfer period was shorter than in previous years. We didn't have enough time to have discussions with the players. After the transfer period started, there was no time to catch our breath, and we negotiated with the players.
The most difficult and regrettable thing is that after winning the coveted World Championship, we have to worry about whether we will part ways with the players. Because they are all outstanding players, they can join any team that fits their pursuit blueprint, but I hope it's our T1.
Q: In the end, you successfully renewed contracts with the three players.
Chairman Jeong Hoi-run: Although there were many factors, the most important thing was that negotiations proceeded smoothly after the players decided, "We want to play together as a five-man team next year." The transfer period started on Tuesday morning, and by Wednesday night, we had already created an environment where all three players becoming free agents would stay. From that point, we quickly completed the contract renewals and officially announced the news early Thursday morning.
Q: Are there any memorable anecdotes during the contract renewal process?
Chairman Jeong Hoi-run: Zeus often says "OKOK~" like a catchphrase during live broadcasts or daily conversations, but even in crucial negotiations for contract renewals, he also said "OKOK~," and everyone laughed. He imitated the voice of Baek Jong-won, saying, "Ah~ya," and the tense atmosphere became relaxed. We encountered difficulties on the first day of negotiations, and at that time, he called me
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Post time 10-1-2024 11:57:18