Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions

Chapter 871 601: From Mentor and Disciple to Archrivals: Tang Long's Triple Triumph Seals Legendary Night as Coach Pei Ends His Career in Sorrow!_2

Gracie gave Tang Long a thumbs-up, looking at him with a deep gaze. Although he didn't speak, everything was understood without words.

Tang Long nodded knowingly, showing him a "three" with his fingers, then received a throw-in from Sabaleta. Without stopping the ball, he turned and bypassed the closely guarding McTominay, continuing to engage in the match.

Seeing Tang Long's graceful and elegant moves, Pellegrini was utterly frustrated, stamping his feet in anger, and his hands involuntarily started grabbing his hair.

For a coach, the most heartbreaking thing is when a player you once carefully nurtured mercilessly defeats you on the field one day.

Although in football, the roles between players and coaches constantly switch; sometimes they are partners, mentors, and students with deep bonds;

But sometimes, in an instant, they can become opponents, battling on the field.

Pellegrini was once proud of developing a player like Tang Long, but at this moment, as an opponent of Manchester City and as the coach of Manchester United, he didn't know whether to love or hate Tang Long.

"Don't relax, everyone stay focused, if anyone doesn't play seriously, you'll all be out at the end of the season!"

Pellegrini's roar on the sidelines brought the Manchester United players back to their senses, like a person pulled out of icy waters, changing into new clothes.

Although they knew the chances of reversing the defeat were slim, this was after all a Manchester Derby, relating to the dignity and face of Manchester United, a century-old club.

Pellegrini quickly made some adjustments, bringing on the young Lingard and taking off the aged Eevee who couldn't run anymore, increasing the movement across the field.

In such circumstances, Tang Long was unable to score the third goal, and the final score of 3:1 held until the end of the match, with Manchester City winning their second trophy of the season—the FA Cup!

When the referee blew the final whistle, all the Manchester City players rushed onto the field to celebrate together.

The applause at Wembley Stadium was unending. Those fans who traveled from Manchester to London had not spent on airfare and accommodation in vain, as they came live and the team's victory was their reward, nothing more satisfying for fans.

Meanwhile, Manchester United fans left the stadium one by one, dejected and downcast.

Awaiting them was not only the taunts from the Manchester United supporters at Wembley Stadium but also the ridicule from the media the next day.

After all, being defeated three times by a crosstown rival in a single season is a humiliating memory at any time.

What made Manchester United fans even more desperate was the thought that if Tang Long stayed at Manchester City, such scenes of being triumphed over year after year might continue?

Even being defeated four or five times across multiple competitions was still a very real possibility!

The more they thought, the more desperate they felt, as if falling into an icy cave or an endless abyss...

Despite the bright starlight in the sky and the bright shimmering lights inside Wembley Stadium, each Manchester United player's heart was in darkness—they couldn't see the light!

...

After celebrating with the players on the field, Tang Long walked off the pitch and exchanged hugs with Guardiola and Chiwo.

Just as the three were about to converse, Tang Long heard Pellegrini calling from behind him.

"Tang, can you come over?"

Since Pellegrini had once coached Tang Long at Manchester City, Guardiola and Chiwo knowingly nodded and stepped back into the field, leaving Tang Long an opportunity to talk privately with Pellegrini.

Tang Long walked up to Pellegrini, looking at the much taller Chilean old man with silver hair, and the scenes of their days at Manchester City as teacher and student flooded his mind.

Seeing the increasingly wrinkled face of Pellegrini, Tang Long thought to himself, "He looks much older after a year of coaching Manchester United."

However, by this time, Pellegrini had shed the anger and frustration of the match.

Facing Tang Long, he displayed a kind and friendly smile.

"Kid, congratulations, you've won another championship. You've become stronger than before. Honestly, when I left Manchester City, I never thought you could reach such heights today. Even though this match was tough on us, I still want to congratulate you. You deserve a great future."

Pellegrini affectionately patted Tang Long on the back of his head. It was clear from his words that they were not just the hollow words of a loser, but genuine, heartfelt emotions.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Pellegrini, sometimes I have to be ruthless..."

Pellegrini smiled, interrupting Tang Long's explanation, "No, you don't need to explain anything, I've been coaching for over 30 years, I understand these things."

After a few polite exchanges, tears suddenly appeared in Pellegrini's eyes. Although there was still a smile on his lips, it seemed somewhat stiff.

He pulled Tang Long aside, looking at the Manchester City fans on the field celebrating with a sense of bitterness, and said quietly to Tang Long:

"To tell you the truth, kid, this is my last day as a coach. Tomorrow, I'll be leaving Manchester, to be precise, leaving Europe, leaving the coaching arena, and returning to my hometown in Chile."