11 Assist On And Off The Field

The curtains finally fell on the 2012/13 football season as Bayern Munich triumphed over Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium. The Bavarians edged past their Bundesliga rivals with a 2-1 victory, securing their fifth Champions League title in club history.

As Arjen Robben slotted home the dramatic late winner, Bayern players erupted in celebration, while Dortmund was left heartbroken, having fought valiantly under Jürgen Klopp. The final whistle marked not just the end of a season, but the end of an era for European football.

Apart from the Confederations Cup, there were no major events that attracted much attention in the summer of 2013. After the league ended, most European players had no national team tasks and went on vacation.

Nevertheless, the summer of 2013 is doomed to be not peaceful, because in early June, several European giants changed their coaches, and the club also announced their new coach candidates.

At Stamford Bridge, José Mourinho made his highly anticipated return to Chelsea, signing a four-year contract, eager to reclaim the dominance he once established.

In Germany, Jupp Heynckes bid farewell to Bayern Munich, retiring at the peak of his career after leading the club to a historic treble. His replacement? Pep Guardiola, the mastermind behind Barcelona's golden era, who now aimed to bring his philosophy to Bavaria.

Meanwhile, in Spain, a new chapter was unfolding. Carlo Ancelotti took charge of Real Madrid, stepping into the spotlight at the Santiago Bernabéu, tasked with guiding the Galácticos to European glory.

In England, across the city from Old Trafford, Manchester City officially announced Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager, a move that sent a message of intent to their rivals.

In France, Laurent Blanc took the reins at Paris Saint-Germain, with a clear mission—to transform PSG into a true Champions League contender.

After Tito Vilanova stepped down due to health reasons, Barcelona appointed Gerardo "Tata" Martino as their new head coach on July 22, 2013. Martino, an Argentine manager, was brought in to continue Barcelona's tiki-taka style while adding more directness to their play.

Yet, while these giants of European football embraced ambition and renewal, Manchester United, draped in its legendary red, seemed to be drifting into uncertainty. The departure of Sir Alex Ferguson left a void, and the appointment of Tiger King raised more questions than answers. As the football world watched, some predicted United's decline, while others waited to see if their unproven leader could defy expectations and restore the Red Devils to their former glory.

The skepticism surrounding Tiger King's appointment reached new heights as Hall's in-depth feature in the Manchester Evening News clashed with the sharp criticisms of national tabloids like The Sun.

While Hall's report painted a picture of a Manchester United loyalist—a former Class of '92 captain whose career was tragically cut short by injury, only to dedicate his life to nurturing the club's future stars—others were not convinced.

In The Sun's football section, journalist Wolfe tore into the appointment, labeling it "a cost-cutting, careless move by the Glazers."

"Hiring a top-tier manager requires serious investment—just look at Abramovich, who didn't hesitate to throw millions at Mourinho. But Manchester United? They've gambled on an unproven youth coach. Fans have every right to be furious."

The backlash wasn't just in the media. Protests erupted outside Old Trafford, with banners demanding a proper manager. Some supporters, interviewed by reporters, voiced their doubts that United could even finish in the top four next season.

Meanwhile, Tiger King remained silent. But inside Carrington, he had already begun working—determined to prove everyone wrong.

Manchester Red Bar

The Manchester Red Bar was more than just a pub—it was a sacred ground for Manchester United's most die-hard fans. Nestled in the heart of the city, just a short walk from Old Trafford, it had long been a gathering place for generations of Reds, where fans drank, debated, and celebrated the club's triumphs. On nights after famous victories, the place would be packed, with chants of "Glory, Glory, Man United!" echoing into the streets.

"What the hell is this!" In the Manchester Red Bar, a drunk fat man tore a newspaper in his hands and shattered it. "What not reaching the league top four, we will still be champions next season!"

The guests in the bar also shouted: "Yes! We will defend the next season! What Mourinho, Wenger, we will defeat them next season!"

But after the hustle and bustle, the whole bar returned to calm. The Manchester Red Bar had never been this tense. The usual rowdy laughter and loud debates had died down, replaced by an uneasy silence. Even the clinking of glasses seemed distant, as if the weight of uncertainty had settled over the entire pub.

At the center of it all sat Rodney, a well-known figure among United's most loyal fans. A drunken, burly man with a deep love for the club, he was a prominent member of "King of Devils," the largest Manchester United fan association. His table was littered with torn pieces of the Sun newspaper—evidence of his rage over the media's scorn towards their new manager.

After all the shouting and arguing, the silence was deafening. A nervous fan sitting next to Rodney finally broke it. "So… next season… we'll be fine, right?" he asked hesitantly.

"Of course, we will!" Rodney blurted out. But then, as if catching himself, he hesitated. He wanted to reassure everyone, but even he didn't quite know how to finish the sentence. Instead, he muttered, "I think we'll be fine. I mean… even if the new coach doesn't do much, we still have the squad the Gaffer left behind. That's gotta count for something."

But not everyone was convinced. A younger fan, probably no older than twenty, shook his head. "Tiger King has no first-team experience. I don't know, but next season looks rough."

Another chimed in. "Yeah, I've never even heard of him before this week. He wasn't even the head of the youth team—just an assistant! How is he supposed to lead the first team?"

Before anyone else could speak, a beer mug slammed onto the wooden table with a loud thud, making them all jump. Rodney leaned in, his large frame casting a shadow over the two young men. His voice was low but intimidating.

"You two don't know a damn thing." He pointed a thick, calloused finger at them. "You dare call yourselves United fans, and you don't even know Tiger King? Bloody embarrassing."

The two young fans shrank back, too intimidated to argue. The entire bar watched in silence.

Rodney took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. His bloodshot eyes were filled with something deeper than anger—frustration, hope, and the desperate desire to believe.

Even though doubt loomed over Manchester United's future, one thing was certain: Tiger King's appointment had divided the fanbase, and the battle for trust had only just begun.

Just at that moment, the bar doors swung open, and in walked David Beckham. The dim lights of the Manchester Red Bar couldn't hide the sharpness of his presence—dressed sharply, yet effortlessly casual, he carried himself with the confidence of a man who had conquered the world but never forgotten his roots.

The murmurs died down as people turned to look. It wasn't every day that a United legend walked into their midst.

Beckham didn't hesitate. He had heard the last part of the conversation—the doubts, the uncertainty, the dismissive remarks about Tiger King. And he wasn't having any of it.

"You lot have got short memories," he said, his voice calm but firm. His eyes landed on the two young fans Rodney had just berated. "You don't know who Tiger King is? Then let me remind you."

He stepped forward, placing his hands on the bar, his voice carrying the weight of experience.

"He was the soul of the Class of '92. The one who fought for every ball, who led us when we were just kids trying to make it. He might not have had the global fame of some of us, but without him, we wouldn't have been the team we became."

The room was silent now. Beckham's words demanded attention.

"If there's one man who understands what it means to wear this badge, to carry the weight of Manchester United, it's him. He's been in these trenches before. He's led us before. And he'll do it again."

Rodney, nodding vigorously, raised his pint in agreement. "Damn right, Becks!" he shouted, and a few murmurs of approval rippled through the crowd.

Rodney, clearly emboldened by Beckham's words, slammed his fist on the table.

"You heard the man! If Beckham trusts Tiger King, then so should we!"

A roar of agreement finally swept through the bar. The uncertainty was still there, but one thing had changed—Tiger King had a powerful voice in his corner.