There was no need to elaborate on the situation before the final match, because it was no different from those important matches in history. The only difference was that most of the fans who came to watch the game today did not wear the Forest jersey with the player's name and number printed on it. Instead, they wore red or white commemorative T-shirts.
As early as when Tang En held a press conference to announce his retirement after the season, Nottingham Forest's souvenir shop had this commemorative T-shirt on display. There were two colors, red and white. The front still looked like the Nottingham Forest jersey, but there were two numbers on the back. The "12" on the top represented the 12 years that Tang En had coached the Forest team, and the "12" below represented the 12 championships that Tang En had led the Forest team to. Above the two "12" was Tony Twain's name.
Almost every fan who passed by the camera would turn their back to the camera to show the two "12" and Tony Twain's name on their back, and then give a thumbs up.
As a reporter, Pierce Brosnan wore such a T-shirt to cover the game live.
As the fans lined up outside the stadium to enter, Tang En's team was warming up inside.
Both teams warmed up a little early today because the final round of the league tournament had to kick off at the same time. The Forest Football Club had also prepared a small farewell ceremony for Tang En to be held before kick-off. They could only move the warm-up time forward.
The fans who entered the stadium first were busy looking for Tang En's figure in the stands, but they did not get what they wanted. Because Tang En was held back by Evan Doughty at the locker room door and did not come out at all.
"Tony, you only have 15 minutes in the changing room," Evan reminded Tang En, afraid that he would forget the time in the excitement of talking. "We have to kick off at the set time, or we'll be penalized. You know, this game is very sensitive … "
Tang En waved his hand impatiently. Why was Evan so fussy today? "I know. Isn't it just the fight for the league title? It makes our home team look like a supporting character. "
Evan chuckled. In many people's eyes, the Forest team was indeed a supporting character today. In his heart, the Forest team was also a supporting character. Manchester United was also a supporting character. The real main character was only this man in front of him.
Faintly hearing the live broadcast outside reminding them that the warm-up time was almost over, Evan said goodbye to Tang En and turned to leave.
Tang En, on the other hand, returned to the locker room and waited for the players to return before giving a few final instructions. Evan was worried that 15 minutes was not enough for him to speak. However, the current Tang En was no longer the Tang En from more than a decade ago who liked to speak eloquently and give impassioned speeches. He had nothing to say, and 15 minutes was too much for him.
※ ※ ※
When the players of the two teams who were warming up outside began to leave the field, the big screen on the Crimson Stadium removed the team emblems and the time display of the two teams and went black.
At this time, there were not many empty seats in the stands. The number of fans outside the square gradually decreased as the number of people entering the stadium increased. Some people who did not have tickets went to the nearby pubs early to watch the live broadcast on TV.
When the last Forest player left the field and entered the tunnel, the stands were basically full, and there were not many fans at the entrances. The big screen, which had been dark since the beginning, flashed, and a word appeared on the dark background.
"HE" (He).
Then, the white words slowly faded away, blending into the pitch-black background.
The screen flashed again and slowly brightened, and Tony Twain's silhouette appeared on the screen.
The stands suddenly burst into loud cheers.
The screen faded again, and then Tony Twain and Evan Doughty appeared on the screen. The two of them held hands in the middle of the screen, and there were open documents on the table below. This was a photo of Tang En when he first renewed his contract with the club.
After the screen faded, a sentence appeared on the black background:
"This is the most correct signing in the club's history."
This sentence drew another round of cheers and applause from the audience.
When the fans looked up at the two big screens at both ends of the stadium, the staff were moving trophies into the cleared field. One by one, the silver-crowned trophies of different shapes were carefully carried out and placed carefully in the center circle of the turf.
※ ※ ※
At this time, in the locker room, Tang En was telling his players the purpose of this match.
"Did I lie to you when I said those words yesterday?" Tang En asked, leaning over.
The players sitting around him shook their heads.
Seeing this answer, Tang En laughed. "Very good. Listen up, guys. This match is just a normal league match for us. But for our opponents, they are under a lot of pressure. This is a match they can't afford to lose. Should we be magnanimous and go easy on them? Absolutely not! I don't want to say unnecessary words. You're all professional players. I just hope that when you enter the field, you'll look up at the words on the wall. "
After saying this, Tang En repeated the tactical arrangements that he had laid out last night. He wanted to ensure that every player on the field knew what they had to do.
"There's nothing new about our tactics. Our old opponents should have studied them thoroughly. But whether or not they have a way to stop them is another matter … "
Tang En spread his hands.
※ ※ ※
The big screen was playing the clips of Tang En leading the team to win every championship.
From the first EFL Cup title to the last UEFA Champions League title, every trophy had a clip.
"… Even if we climb! We have to climb up too! " On the screen was a green field. The Forest players were sitting around on the ground, with Tang En crouching in the middle. Looking closely, many of the players were unfamiliar. Many people had almost forgotten their names. The Tang En on the screen was also very young. This was the scene before the penalty shootout in the 2004 EFL Cup final. At that time, many of the players in the team left the team after the Forest team was promoted to the Premier League. "There's no difference between losing on the last step and losing on the first step. We're all losers! Win! We must win! " Tang En on the screen clenched his fists and roared. His look not only infected the Forest players on the screen, but also the live audience 15 years later.
Cheers and applause rang out for a long time.
But the scene that made them even more excited was yet to come.
The screen flashed. In the Olympic Stadium of Athens, the flag of the UEFA Champions League fluttered in the wind. The next second, it was the scene of Albertini using a falling leaf to break AC Milan's goal. The Forest fans in the stands seemed to be there, cheering along with the ball. Some of them even shouted Albertini's name, "Demetrio! Demetrio! "
There was a regret in this game. Because Tang En did not want to be special, he had always claimed that this was just an ordinary league game. So, he did not send tickets to his old friends before the game like in the previous finals. He did not know if those people would come …
Someone in the stands nudged his companion next to him with his elbow. "Hey, they're calling you, Demetrio."
※ ※ ※
"There's nothing strange about Nottingham Forest's tactics. George Wood and Chen Jian must be their midfield pivots. You need to keep close to them. Our midfield and backfield must dare to press forward and fiercely tackle in the midfield. Don't give them too much space and time to take the ball. As long as we can force them into a fluster, our chances of winning will greatly increase. "
In Manchester United's locker room, Mourinho was analyzing the Forest team's tactics and laying out countermeasures.
Unlike the joyous atmosphere outside, the air in the visitors' locker room was so heavy that it almost solidified. Everyone listened quietly to the manager's words for fear of missing a word.
It did not matter that they were all like this. This game was too important for Manchester United. They had been defeated in both the Champions League and the FA Cup this season. They could only fight for glory in the league tournament. They could not afford to lose this last game. Otherwise, they would really have nothing this season.
They did not know whether to say they were lucky or not.
Their opponent in the last round of the league tournament was Nottingham Forest, which was definitely not a weak team. But they had completed their goal for the season ahead of time. Now, they should have no more desires.
But this was Tony Twain's farewell performance … Could his team allow their mood to be ruined by a defeat?
Mourinho did not know what his players were thinking. He just repeated the tactics to be used in today's game over and over again. At the same time, he gave the players some pressure and told them not to think so much, to keep calm and to play as if it was an ordinary league game.
To be honest, Mourinho himself did not believe that this would be an ordinary league game. Even if it was not related to the ownership of the league title, there was another layer of reason.
It was Tony Twain's last match. Although he was in the locker room, he could guess what was going on outside. There was a ceremony specially prepared for Twain in a while. His players had already received a request from the Forest Football Club. They hoped to cooperate and line up at the exit to welcome Twain.
What a big line-up! Back then, Ferguson's last game before his retirement did not even have such a welcome line-up …
His team had agreed to such a request, but he would not be in the line to applaud and welcome Twain's appearance. He wanted him to line up to salute Twain? Not unless he was dead!
※ ※ ※
When both teams completed their pre-match preparations and walked out of the locker room in advance, the big screen above the stands was still playing a documentary about Twain.
This time, it was the 2006 Champions League final. In that game, Nottingham Forest, who was down a player in the opening 18 minutes, still led by a goal until the 76th minute. In the end, due to an obvious decline in stamina, Nottingham Forest conceded two consecutive goals to Barcelona and lost the championship trophy. That game was a heavy blow to Twain and his young Forest team.
The content shown on the big screen this time had never appeared in any public media before.
It was a video of Twain flying into a rage in the locker room after the game.
"… The mark of shame of the losers? A bullsh * t silver medal?! " When a piece of content was shown in public media, it would definitely be censored. At that time, all everyone could hear was the incessant "beep beep beep." But the version shown in the Crimson Stadium was the original. There was absolutely no censoring or censoring. This was the real Twain.
"There's only one champion. What's the point of giving out the silver medal? To sell it for money?! To go out and smile as a foil to the victors? To make their championship look even more glorious? To sell their smiles and their bodies like prostitutes?! No way! Isn't Barcelona very powerful? Let them play by themselves!! "
Then the scene changed. Twain stretched out his arm in front of the many reporters and raised three fingers. "This is the third Champions League trophy in the history of Nottingham Forest Football Club. Thank you!"
In the next second, Twain went on stage with a gloomy face to receive the silver medal. Then he walked down and walked straight to the entrance of the tunnel, where he hung the silver medal in his hand around the neck of a little ball boy. After doing all this, he ignored the gazes of everyone present and walked into the tunnel, disappearing in front of the crowd.
Seeing him do this, the fans in the Crimson Stadium not only did not feel that their manager was impolite and gentlemanly, but they burst into even louder cheers. Some people even clapped and stomped their feet, applauding Twain's actions.
They liked such a wild and unruly Tony Twain. If it were any other gentleman, they would probably only be booed. Nottingham had always been rich in people with personalities who despised authority. From Robin Hood to Brian Clough, they were all their pride. Tony Twain was no exception. No one was surprised by Twain's actions. Such a manager was the best manager in their hearts.
If he did not have such an imposing manner that despised authority in the world, how could he have won 12 championship trophies in 12 years of coaching?
Did anyone think he was arrogant? They must be losers who hated him!
※ ※ ※
Amidst the cheers, the players from both sides came out. However, they did not go on the field directly. Instead, they lined up on both sides of the tunnel, waiting for the main character to appear.
The big screen in the stands turned black again, and a sentence slowly appeared on it:
"Let us welcome —"
The fans who saw this sentence shouted in unison, "Your Majesty!!!"
Twain walked out of the tunnel amidst the roars of "Your Majesty".
He saw the players from both sides lined up waiting for him, as well as the club chairman, Evan Doughty, who was standing behind the row of championship trophies in the center circle. Of course, he also saw the slogans and portraits hanging in the Robin Hood grandstand.
He raised his hand and waved to everyone. He walked through the applause of the players from both sides until he stopped in front of the trophies in the center circle.
The black screen and words on the big screen were gone. In their place was Tony Twain's "coronation ceremony" after the successful defense of the UEFA Champions League title and his return to the City Ground stadium. In the picture, he was wearing a royal red and white cloak and holding the crown high, facing the stadium's starry stands — the twinkling light came from the camera flashes.
Evan Doughty handed the wireless microphone in his hand to Twain, pulled him behind the trophies, and then retreated.
The reporters swarmed forward and formed three rows in front of the trophies. The first row lay on the ground, holding the camera in their arms. The second row knelt on one knee, holding the camera. The third row stood behind the first two rows, busy setting up the tripod.
When they were done, there was a continuous sound of shutter shutter clicking.
From the perspective of the reporters, especially those who were lying on the ground, the twelve trophies of different shapes and sizes placed in front of Twain gave off a suffocating aura.
When the reporters finished taking pictures. Twain raised the microphone. Seeing his action, no one reminded him at all, and the scene gradually quietened down. The tsunami of cheers from before, wave after wave, gradually disappeared, and eventually disappeared completely. Everyone was waiting to hear what Twain had to say.
Twain originally thought that he had seen countless big scenes, and today's scene would not affect him. But just as he was about to open his mouth, he realized that he was choking.
He hurriedly shut his mouth. He did not want these 60,000 people to hear his sobbing voice. That would be really embarrassing.
But he still did not escape. The advanced television broadcast immediately cut to a close-up of Twain's face. Just like that, his moist eyes were exposed to everyone.
Seeing him like this, another wave of shouts erupted from the stands, "Stay, Your Majesty!"
Hearing such shouts, Twain just waved his hand and motioned for them to quiet down. When the scene became quiet again, he also stabilized his emotions and said to the microphone, "Thank you …"
He only said this one sentence, and his voice was a little uncontrollable.
Only then did Twain realize that he actually missed everything here so much that he could not even say "goodbye."
This time, Twain choked again. No one made any other sounds. They all waited quietly.
Twain lowered his head and was silent for a while, finally controlling his emotions again.
He coughed and said, "Thank you all, thank you."
In response, countless pairs of arms waved at him from the stands.
At some point, the live broadcast played the song that had been used to send Albertini off. It was Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli's duet, "Time to say goodbye."
When the song played, someone in the stands wiped the corner of his eyes. He remembered the events of many years ago.
"It's time to say goodbye, Tony …" He sighed.
"I'm proud and proud of having coached this team for 12 years. I'm proud and proud that I've only coached Nottingham Forest in my life. It's not me who made Nottingham Forest, it's you who made me. "Twain extended his hand to the fans in the stands and the players standing at the side.
Applause rang out.
"Today is the last game. I hope you can enjoy it to the fullest …" At this point, he paused.
Everyone thought he was going to say "enjoy the game, enjoy the football."
But Twain turned his head to look to the other side. He easily found Mourinho behind the crowd. His old opponent was expressionless.
"… I hope you can enjoy the victory of the game."
Twain looked at Mourinho with a smile.
As soon as the words came out, the expression on Mourinho's face changed. He was no longer as calm and composed as before.
Twain, who had teased his old opponent, was in a good mood. The parting no longer felt sorrowful to him.
Twain raised his hand again and waved around.
"In 90 minutes, let's say goodbye! Goodbye, guys! "
After saying this, Twain put down the microphone and continued to stand in the center circle waving. The stands erupted in cheers again. The Forest players stood on the side and watched their boss enjoy such cheers alone. They also applauded. Gareth Bale even whistled. They now felt full of motivation and fighting spirit. They could not wait to start the game immediately and rush up to tear Manchester United to pieces.
The ownership of the league title?
What does that have to do with us? We just want to use a victory to send off the greatest boss in Nottingham Forest's history!
You are the embodiment of victory, the spokesman of the champion. This is the last match, and only the victory is worthy of you, boss.
※ ※ ※
Twain had already left the field. The 12 championship trophies were also being moved back to the honor room by the staff. The reporters were returning to their respective posts. The players from both sides were re-entering the field, and the cheers in the stands gradually subsided.
A line of words appeared on the two big screens:
There is only one Tony Twain!
※ ※ ※
PS: This is Tony Twain's farewell ceremony. It's not quite the same as the retirements of the players I've written about before. It's not too sad, but there's a different feeling in the heart …
Twain was finally leaving. It was estimated that the book would be "finished" in a few more chapters.
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
