"I knew it!"
Heckin's question made Mark's heart stir.
Although Mark didn't know that Heckin's inner thoughts and considerations were so complex.
But he was very clear that it was the head coach's job and power to decide who started and who was a substitute.
As a player, all he could do was give his all every minute and every second he was on the field!
Besides, if he could decide whether he started, he would 100% arrange for himself to start every game.
And facing the coach's question, he didn't hide his true thoughts, saying directly:
"Coach, if I said I didn't want to start, that would definitely be a lie."
"However, whether I start or not is your decision, Coach. Whatever the decision, I will support and accept it."
Hearing Mark's answer, Heckin also secretly nodded: "This kid is really sensible!"
Smiling slightly, Heckin then said:
"I've seen your excellent performances in the past few games. Everyone is full of praise for you."
"I believe you have the potential to become a great player!"
"However, I hope you won't be influenced by the media and public opinion. Focus on training, wait patiently, and you will soon get your chance to start!"
Upon hearing this, Mark also nodded, and immediately responded with a serious expression:
"Coach, I will continue to work hard and improve!"
Although it was just a promise of future opportunity and not a commitment to start him.
However, Heckin's approval was definitely a good sign.
"Your physical fitness is still an issue, especially with your playing style, which consumes even more energy..."
"Your footwork is indeed your biggest advantage, but you need to learn to run more intelligently..."
Next, in the office, Heckin also put forward his demands, which was to hope that Mark would put more effort into physical fitness and off-ball movement.
Half an hour later, as he walked out of the office, Mark saw the Belgium duo De Bruyne and Miranda observing from a corner not far down the corridor.
"Mark, how was it? The coach didn't scold you, did he?"
Facing their concern, Mark waved his hand casually and said with a smile: "It's nothing, the coach said I've been performing very well recently, and he plans to introduce his daughter to me."
Upon hearing this, Miranda's eyes lit up:
"Really?! Is the coach's daughter pretty?"
Before Mark could answer, De Bruyne, who was beside him, shook his head somewhat helplessly:
"You believe that? He's tricking you!"
Upon hearing this, and seeing Mark already walking away, Miranda realized he had been fooled:
"Mark, you dare to trick me?!"
"Hahahaha..."
...Defeating Hoffenheim and entering the German Cup semifinals was definitely exciting news for Wolfsburg.
The other three teams that made it to the semifinals were Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund.
Wolfsburg's opponent in the semifinals was the "Black and Yellows" Borussia Dortmund!
In German football, the two teams that are always central are Bayern and Dortmund.
So, this did not surprise the club too much.
Even against Dortmund, they weren't without a chance!
Of course, the club's focus was still on the League, on competing for Champions League qualification.
And it must be said that Wolfsburg's start to the second half of the season was very unfavorable.
In the first seven rounds of the second half, all their opponents were teams in the top half of the League table!
First, Schalke, a direct competitor for a top-four spot, then the upcoming Hertha Berlin, and finally consecutive clashes with "Pharmaceutical Factory" Bayer Leverkusen, who were second in the League, and Bundesliga hegemon Bayern...
In comparison, Mainz, whom they defeated three-nil in the last round, was already considered relatively easier to deal with among these opponents.
However, to maintain their fourth place in the League, they had to defeat Hertha Berlin away and take all three points.
Only then could they, to a certain extent, more calmly deal with the upcoming Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern...
February 16th, Bundesliga Round 21.
The Berlin Olympic Stadium was buzzing with excitement.
"The time has reached sixty-seven minutes, the score on the field is still one-nil, with Hertha Berlin temporarily leading."
"The Wolfsburg players, who came to the away game, seem to be asleep, listless in this match..."
Perhaps it was due to the exhaustion from the German Cup, or perhaps the team's arrival in bustling Berlin made the players a bit distracted.
In this match, many of Wolfsburg's starting players were in mediocre form, not running actively, and their coordination was not as sharp as usual.
If Hertha Berlin's striker Ramos hadn't missed two excellent opportunities, the score would certainly not have been just one-nil.
And seeing the state of his disciples, Heckin, standing on the sidelines with his arms crossed, also seriously discussed countermeasures with his assistant coach.
Just as there was a pause in the game for an injured player to be checked, a middle-aged man in a suit in the VIP stands complained to his young assistant:
"Is that kid going to play or not?"
Those who knew him would know the man's name — Volker Struth!
Struth, deeply rooted in the Bundesliga, was considered Germany's top football agent, representing a large number of German stars such as Reus, Götze, Kroos, Höwedes, and Süle.
Of course, he was also the one who orchestrated the transfer of Dortmund prodigy Götze to Bayern.
And there was only one reason why he appeared in Berlin:
Mark!
After people from his agency saw Mark's spectacular goal video in the German Cup and recommended him, this big shot in German football immediately realized that this young Wolfsburg player would be a genius!
After an investigation, he learned that Mark still didn't have an agent!
So, he chose this match, intending to personally observe Mark.
"The situation is unfavorable for Wolfsburg, Heckin should send him on, just like in the previous few games."
Hearing his assistant's words, Struth also nodded, picked up his whiskey, and took a sip:
"That's good... Prepare the contract, we will likely sign him immediately."
"Understood, boss."
In Struth's view, as long as he introduced himself and mentioned some of the star players he represented, this young Mark would surely happily sign with him immediately.
However, the arrogant Struth would not know that someone else also wanted to snatch his business!
In the ordinary West Stand, a fat man wearing a black down jacket and round sunglasses was also staring intently at the field.
To be precise, his gaze was always focused on the black-haired teenager on the away team's bench!
If it were an Italian fan, they would definitely recognize this fat man as the football agent mogul — Mino Raiola — who was called a "vampire" by many fans and clubs!
Unfortunately, the surrounding home fans were only immersed in the joyful atmosphere of their team's lead and did not know that the unremarkable fat man sitting next to them was such a big figure.
Of course, Mark, sitting on the bench, also didn't know that he had been targeted by two famous agents simultaneously.
He was only thinking about when he could come on and turn the tide.
In his opinion, Hertha Berlin's defenders were simply terrible, so why couldn't Vieirinha and Perisic get past them?
And just after seeing Medojević in midfield make another passing error, Wolfsburg coach Heckin on the sidelines made a decisive decision, making three substitutions at once:
Dost off, Olić on!
Medojević off, Miranda on!
Vieirinha off, Mark on!
This move surprised everyone.
"Wolfsburg coach Heckin has made a bold decision!"
"He's used up all three substitution slots at once!"
"Hertha Berlin needs to be careful, Wolfsburg is going all out!"