Pep Guardiola stood to the side, his mind immersed in deep contemplation. The realization hit him hard – this was one of those rare occasions when his team, known for their utter dominance, faltered and stumbled. The trajectory of their relentless success was momentarily clouded with unease. Manchester City, without resorting to the recourse of a penalty shootout, had been outmaneuvered and outscored for the first time since December 6.
In the lead-up to the FA Cup final, pundits and fans gave Manchester United little chance, with their manager Erik ten Hag seemingly on the brink of departure. After enduring a season filled with turmoil and disappointment, their eighth-place finish in the league being the lowest in over three decades, chaos seemed to be their constant companion. City were expected to deliver the final blow, sealing Ten Hag's fate and sending him off with a resounding defeat.
But football, with its penchant for delivering sensational twists, had other plans. In a breathtaking turn of events, Ten Hag unveiled a tactical masterclass that defied all expectations. His strategic brilliance orchestrated an unlikely victory against a team that had seemed invincible.
Reference(s):
Ten Hag's tactical masterclass in FA Cup final may not save his job
cgtn.com
