Chapter 533: Cracks
After teasing Carrick for a bit, Mourinho began to explain, "If we push forward and continue attacking, we might score, making it 3-0. But we might also concede, making it 2-1 or even 2-2."
Although Mourinho had confidence in his team, he didn't forget that today's opponent was Manchester City, a team with a formidable attacking lineup featuring Aguero, Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Sane, and David Silva.
Of course, he could choose to pull the whole team back, but Mourinho immediately dismissed that idea. If there were only 10-20 minutes left in the match, he might consider it, but it was still only the first half. Being too conservative wasn't an option.
The referee's strict and fair officiating and the emotional state of City's players gave Mourinho a clear signal, and he quickly made a decision. Seeing that captain Bruno was already leading the team in executing this tactic, Mourinho didn't make any further adjustments, letting the players continue.
Mourinho felt grateful for having a captain with such a strong overall view of the game. Bruno had already adjusted the team before he had to, saving him a lot of trouble. This reduced Mourinho's presence, but if the team could keep winning and claiming championships, it didn't matter if he had any presence at all.
...
After a pause, Mourinho asked Carrick, "How do you think the adjustments have worked?"
"The effect...is good," Carrick admitted after thinking for a moment.
The result spoke for itself. The score remained 2-0, with United leading City by two goals at halftime. More importantly, City had six players booked, posing a huge risk for the second half. Although United also had two players booked, the 2:6 ratio was in United's favor.
"Then that's it," Mourinho laughed. "We need to observe the opponent's psychological changes, Michael. You should consider taking a psychology course when you have time."
Carrick nodded, feeling he understood. But watching Mourinho walk ahead, he felt confused again. He understood Mourinho's words individually, but together they didn't make sense. He wanted to know why Mourinho made such a decisive choice.
Carrick sighed. Mourinho had explained, but he didn't grasp it. It seemed his intuition was lacking, and he'd remain an assistant coach. Maybe he should enroll in a psychology course as Mourinho suggested.
...
In the hallway, Guardiola ran into City's manager, Soriano.
"Josep," Soriano called out.
"What's up?" Guardiola asked, surprised.
"The chairman said we must win this match," Soriano stated.
"Win? Fine!" Guardiola, already furious, sneered. "First, deal with that damn twelfth man."
Without waiting for a response, Guardiola pushed open the dressing room door and walked in.
Watching the door slam shut, Soriano's face darkened. He turned and walked away with a cold snort.
Soriano and Guardiola, both from Barcelona, initially had a good relationship. Soriano and his colleague Begiristain played a key role in bringing Guardiola to City. However, even the best relationships can be damaged by conflicts of interest.
In Guardiola's first season with City, they finished fourth in the league, narrowly securing a Champions League spot on goal difference. This was City's worst league finish since their rise in the 2010s, and Guardiola's tiki-taka fell from grace.
The Abu Dhabi group was very unhappy, and those who strongly recommended Guardiola, including Soriano and Begiristain, also faced criticism. The group originally favored Mourinho, who was now achieving great success with United.
Guardiola argued that City's poor performance was partly due to the strength of United and Chelsea and partly because of City's failures in the transfer market. He had wanted Bruno, but in the summer of 2016, City only signed Mkhitaryan. Despite being the Bundesliga MVP for 2015-2016, Mkhitaryan couldn't match Bruno, the Serie A MVP.
In a pre-season internal meeting, City's management decided to fully support Guardiola, but the cracks in their relationship had already appeared.
...
Guardiola entered the dressing room, muttering a curse under his breath. He looked around. The players were passionately discussing—or rather, complaining about—the referee's unfair decisions. They seemed to believe that if not for the referee's calls, they would be in the lead.
Guardiola frowned.
He regretted accepting Soriano and Begiristain's invitation to manage City last year. He felt deceived into taking the job.
Before agreeing to become City's manager, chairman Mubarak, Soriano, and Begiristain had painted a picture of a team featuring Bruno, Harry Kane, De Bruyne, and David Silva, which Guardiola couldn't resist.
Before taking the job, Guardiola had criticized Aguero for being overweight and threatened to let him go if he didn't slim down. This raised concerns about potential conflicts with Aguero. But upon arriving at City, Guardiola immediately affirmed Aguero's position: "I will present the best Aguero."
In reality, though, Aguero played only 31 Premier League matches in a season without significant injuries, starting only 25 and playing the full 90 minutes just 17 times—the fewest starts since joining City.
...
To put it bluntly, Aguero wasn't an absolute starter under Guardiola!
In the Premier League, which team's main striker doesn't start more than 30 games if not seriously injured?
Even 35-year-old Ibrahimovic, who was injured in April after 33 rounds, started 27 games for United!
As for City's midfield core, De Bruyne started 33 games and played 36, missing only two due to injuries. Another midfield star, David Silva, started 31 games and played 34. Veteran Fernandinho started 31 and played 37. Sterling, Aguero's forward partner, started 29 and played 33. Even young Sane played 28 times, starting 20.
Many media outlets reported a strained relationship between Guardiola and Aguero, despite Guardiola's public praise for Aguero. Aguero, unhappy with his position, was rumored to be considering leaving City.
...
From the start of his tenure, Guardiola faced a much harsher reality than expected, and his differences with sports manager Soriano became evident.
Guardiola wanted an all-around midfielder, specifically Bruno, but Soriano brought him Mkhitaryan. Promised signings like Harry Kane never materialized; instead, they got veteran Nolito and youngster Jesus.
This summer, Guardiola wanted Kane, then at Spurs, to replace Aguero, whom he didn't favor. Soriano told Kane City offered £10 million annually (before taxes). Kane replied that United offered £12 million. Soriano said, "Come to City for the championship, not the money." Kane retorted, "If you can forgo your salary, I'll take £10 million to join City."
Soriano then dismissed Kane, claiming Spurs' demands were unreasonable.
...
In short, after over a year at City, Guardiola felt immense pressure. He had to lead the team to victory while constantly battling Soriano.
Guardiola believed that losing the League Cup semi-final to United would give Soriano ammunition to criticize him to Mubarak.
Speaking of Mubarak, Guardiola was also frustrated. The chairman's promise of a team with Bruno, De Bruyne, Aguero, and David Silva was unfulfilled, with Bruno going to rivals United instead.
Aguero, talking quietly with captain Kompany, ignored Guardiola's entrance and continued their conversation.
The rift between City's star striker and manager couldn't be mended with a few public compliments.
Guardiola knocked on the table, some players fell silent, while others continued chatting. Captain Kompany stood up and called for order, gradually quieting the room.
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