Player management must be thorough.
Paik: "What I felt after coming to England was, 'Ah, I'm being treated like a professional player.' Even though we're in League One (third tier), the scale has become much bigger than last year. The facilities are good, and the grass is so clean and nice. The training facilities were acquired and remodeled from a site that the rugby team used last season. It's called 'EPIC (Elite Performance and Innovation Centre),' and it's really good, with weight facilities, treatment rooms, locker rooms, dining areas, etc. They're still constantly building something."
I heard that Alex Guerrero, who was the personal physio of the owner, Tom Brady, also works there.
Paik: "He feels like he's in charge of the entire training system. A lot has changed since he came. From this season, we have to get a massage before training without fail. The entire team gets a light massage for about 10 minutes, and then again after training. I heard that Guerrero created that system."
Paik: "It's also a big help that the team doctor is stationed at the clubhouse. There's a piece of equipment called an 'echography.' It doesn't show as deep as an MRI, but you can check things urgently. Because there's a doctor, they can prescribe medicine quickly. That's impossible if there are only trainers. If someone says they're hurting somewhere, or something's wrong with their eye, they'll immediately take out medicine and give it to you."
It seems the American owner has a strong will to properly develop the club.
Paik: "From the production where flames come up from both sides when the players enter, I feel like they have a desire to achieve something. They also create issues well. Connecting with Wrexham to promote in the US is one example, and they also secure many sponsors. They say they will build a new stadium too. It seems they are investing a lot this year and are looking for changes."
Do the American owners actually come to the club often?
Paik: "They come to watch the games often. Tom Brady also comes occasionally, and he also motivates the players through video calls before the game. He seems to have a strong affection for the club. I even received a direct call from him. He said he was watching well. I actually didn't know much about him, but my second sister said, 'How can you not know Tom Brady?' and scolded me. When I looked it up, he was a really amazing person. (laughs)"
From now on, the goal of getting promoted and reaching the Premier League in 2026 seems very clear.
Paik: "So, honestly, every time we lose, the stress is immense. We've only lost twice in the league this season, and even that was stressful. The thought that we absolutely have to get promoted is just constantly in my head. The manager keeps saying, "We are sleeping giants." I get the feeling that he (Davies) really wants to take Birmingham to the Premier League. Ipswich did it that way too. I don't think it's impossible."
Do you have any regrets about your decision to stay at Birmingham?
Paik: "I don't have any regrets. I've fortunately been called up to the national team, and thankfully, I'm playing the kind of football I really wanted to play. I think that's the best thing. I'm very satisfied, and if we get promoted here, it will be the best."
Even so, the reality of playing in League One might seem a bit disappointing to the fans.
Paik: "As I said earlier, honestly, I thought I would definitely leave. But the manager is so good. I kept fighting with myself internally. "If you play in a better league, won't you be able to go to the national team?" And the other half was, "Under this manager, can't you really develop more as a player while playing the football I like and learned?" I received offers from Sheffield, Norwich, Stoke, etc."
You could have transferred.
Paik: "If I had spoken strongly, they would have let me go. At first, the manager said, "If you don't think about staying here or don't think you'll give your best, tell me. I'll definitely let you go." In fact, all the players who felt that way left. But I thought this manager was too good to pass up. If I had transferred, I wouldn't know what kind of football the manager there would play. It was really stressful. In the end, I decided to stay, and I'm really, really satisfied. Really."
It's been a year since you came to England. What do you think it will be like a year from now?
Paik: "I hope we'll be in the Championship (2nd division) and in the same situation as now. Like, being in 1st place in the league with some point difference from 2nd place. It's so great that the club has clear goals. I really like that I can focus on working hard and preparing."
If the club's goals are all achieved, you'll be promoted to the Premier League right before the 2026 North American World Cup.
Paik: "That's right, really. It's the best dream. I think we're going in the right direction. I just need to focus on playing football well. (laughs)"
Paik: "What I felt after coming to England was, 'Ah, I'm being treated like a professional player.' Even though we're in League One (third tier), the scale has become much bigger than last year. The facilities are good, and the grass is so clean and nice. The training facilities were acquired and remodeled from a site that the rugby team used last season. It's called 'EPIC (Elite Performance and Innovation Centre),' and it's really good, with weight facilities, treatment rooms, locker rooms, dining areas, etc. They're still constantly building something."
I heard that Alex Guerrero, who was the personal physio of the owner, Tom Brady, also works there.
Paik: "He feels like he's in charge of the entire training system. A lot has changed since he came. From this season, we have to get a massage before training without fail. The entire team gets a light massage for about 10 minutes, and then again after training. I heard that Guerrero created that system."
Paik: "It's also a big help that the team doctor is stationed at the clubhouse. There's a piece of equipment called an 'echography.' It doesn't show as deep as an MRI, but you can check things urgently. Because there's a doctor, they can prescribe medicine quickly. That's impossible if there are only trainers. If someone says they're hurting somewhere, or something's wrong with their eye, they'll immediately take out medicine and give it to you."
It seems the American owner has a strong will to properly develop the club.
Paik: "From the production where flames come up from both sides when the players enter, I feel like they have a desire to achieve something. They also create issues well. Connecting with Wrexham to promote in the US is one example, and they also secure many sponsors. They say they will build a new stadium too. It seems they are investing a lot this year and are looking for changes."
Do the American owners actually come to the club often?
Paik: "They come to watch the games often. Tom Brady also comes occasionally, and he also motivates the players through video calls before the game. He seems to have a strong affection for the club. I even received a direct call from him. He said he was watching well. I actually didn't know much about him, but my second sister said, 'How can you not know Tom Brady?' and scolded me. When I looked it up, he was a really amazing person. (laughs)"
From now on, the goal of getting promoted and reaching the Premier League in 2026 seems very clear.
Paik: "So, honestly, every time we lose, the stress is immense. We've only lost twice in the league this season, and even that was stressful. The thought that we absolutely have to get promoted is just constantly in my head. The manager keeps saying, "We are sleeping giants." I get the feeling that he (Davies) really wants to take Birmingham to the Premier League. Ipswich did it that way too. I don't think it's impossible."
Do you have any regrets about your decision to stay at Birmingham?
Paik: "I don't have any regrets. I've fortunately been called up to the national team, and thankfully, I'm playing the kind of football I really wanted to play. I think that's the best thing. I'm very satisfied, and if we get promoted here, it will be the best."
Even so, the reality of playing in League One might seem a bit disappointing to the fans.
Paik: "As I said earlier, honestly, I thought I would definitely leave. But the manager is so good. I kept fighting with myself internally. "If you play in a better league, won't you be able to go to the national team?" And the other half was, "Under this manager, can't you really develop more as a player while playing the football I like and learned?" I received offers from Sheffield, Norwich, Stoke, etc."
You could have transferred.
Paik: "If I had spoken strongly, they would have let me go. At first, the manager said, "If you don't think about staying here or don't think you'll give your best, tell me. I'll definitely let you go." In fact, all the players who felt that way left. But I thought this manager was too good to pass up. If I had transferred, I wouldn't know what kind of football the manager there would play. It was really stressful. In the end, I decided to stay, and I'm really, really satisfied. Really."
It's been a year since you came to England. What do you think it will be like a year from now?
Paik: "I hope we'll be in the Championship (2nd division) and in the same situation as now. Like, being in 1st place in the league with some point difference from 2nd place. It's so great that the club has clear goals. I really like that I can focus on working hard and preparing."
If the club's goals are all achieved, you'll be promoted to the Premier League right before the 2026 North American World Cup.
Paik: "That's right, really. It's the best dream. I think we're going in the right direction. I just need to focus on playing football well. (laughs)"