<h4>Chapter 158: The Twin Cups King Who Makes History</h4>


    During the halftime break, the entire Millwall team was buzzing with excitement and pride, but Aldrich issued a strict order: no one was allowed to let their guard down in the second half!


    A team must not develop acent attitude just because they have a lead; it''s a dangerous mindset. If it bes a habit, it can turn aedy into a tragedy at critical moments.


    Aldrich''s demands might seem harsh, but that''s his coaching style. It subtly keeps the yers focused for all ny minutes of the match.


    Anyone who rxes will find themselves substituted without hesitation.


    Liverpool made some adjustments during the break, psychologically shaken but showing a clear change in their formation. Roy Evans tightened the central defense, pushing the wingers topress towards the middle, aiming to limit the influence of Pirlo and Nedved.


    Aldrich remained entirely unfazed by the opponent''s tactic. He even thought about walking over to Evans to say, "Your forwards need to track back; otherwise, your defense is going to have ws—unless you n to keep a bus parked in front of the goal."


    Even if Liverpool bolstered their central defense, Aldrich did not fear the challenge as long as Fowler and Collymore stayed limited in their ability to retreat.


    If the middle isn''t working, there are always the wings.


    The nks truly became Millwall''s territory after Liverpool shifted their defensive focus.


    Thuram and Zambrotta frequently pushed forward, turning passes from the baseline or forty-five degrees into immediate threats.


    Trezeguet and Nedved scored headers in the sixty-third and sixty-ninth minutes, respectively.


    Liverpool fans in the stands were left in shock.


    Seventy minutes into the match, the score was 6-0!


    There was no doubt Liverpool was facing a heavy defeat, but the only question was by how many goals.


    Even the prestigious Liverpool team could no longer afford to y recklessly.


    McAteer elbowed Nedved. Although Nedved got up after falling, rubbing his face while standing still, the referee showed McAteer a red card amidst the furious jeers from the Millwall fans.


    Liverpool resorted to desperate, shameless tactics, and Aldrich used all three of his substitutions.


    Schneider came on for Thuram.


    Capdev reced Zambrotta.


    Vieira took over from Pirlo.


    Every substitution was carefully matched.


    Making his first appearance at right-back, Schneider almost yed like a wing-back in thest twenty minutes, defending with no pressure and freely joining the attack.


    During the chaos, Schneider delivered a high ball into the box. Trezeguet leaped high to head it, only to be met by James''s fists striking his face.


    The referee awarded a penalty.


    After hitting the ground, Trezeguet took a moment to get up. Aldrich angrily shouted at the fourth official, "What is he hesitating about? That was a damn red-card offense! In another context, that would be murder!"


    Trezeguety on the grass, but halfway through the team doctor''s run over, he propped himself up, shook his head, and appeared somewhat dazed.


    The referee, fearing a further send-off for Liverpool, opted only to show James a yellow card.


    Trezeguet went to the sidelines to be examined by the team doctor. He had just taken a fall and felt a little dazed, but it seemed like nothing serious. The doctor determined that there were no signs of a concussion, and thus allowed him to return to the game.


    Larsen took the penalty and scored. With just eight minutes left, Millwall had extended their lead to 7-0.


    Finally, just as Liverpool thought the match was winding down, Aldrich waved his hand, urging his center-backs to join the offensive, asionally needing to cultivate the ability of defenders to assist in attacks— after all, sometimes a defender storming forward could yield surprising results.


    Indeed, in stoppage time, Elghra found an opportunity in the crowd and used his knee to direct a cross into the Liverpool.


    The Spanish defender removed his shirt as the Millwall fans celebrated. By now, the Liverpool supporters had long since exited, while Millwall''s fans sang joyfully in unison, reveling in their celebration throughout the second half.


    8-0.


    In Aldrich''s first match officially deploying his starters in a new tactical approach, the team had achieved andmark victory.


    With multiple yers scoring, the offensive power was astounding.


    This was also thanks to Liverpool''s woeful performance, which was akin to a dream while on the pitch.


    When the final whistle blew, Aldrich raised both fists towards the stands, and Millwall''s fans collectively bowed in homage.


    "I can''t believe it, I can''t believe it, I can''t believe it... I feel like I''m dreaming, yet everything before me is real. Millwall has set a series of records in the FA Cup final. Scoring eight goals in one match is unprecedented, while a total of eight goals has also created history, along with thergest margin of victory in a final. Especially in this match where the opposing team was Ennd''s traditional powerhouse Liverpool, it makes this history all the more convincing. The Liverpool yers copsed on the ground; they should be ashamed of themselves—they are unworthy of wearing the red jersey. Considering the scandal they faced today and the way they casually joked in suits before the match, what were they even thinking? They have added a humiliating record to Liverpool''s history, one that might well stand for a long time. Congrattions to Millwall, Hall''s team truly deserves this victory. Their hard work throughout the season culminated in this—domestic double winners and league runners-up. Aldrich-Hall, the young manager rewriting English football history, deserves our apuse, along with the Millwall team he leads!"


    The yers sprinted around the field, celebrating together, high-fiving and raising their fists in joy...


    Compared to two months ago when fans stormed the field in wild celebration, today they managed to control their emotions—though some still wept, and some knelt, pointing to the sky. They stayed in the stands, cheering loudly for Millwall, even as their hands became sore from pping.


    Aldrich began to walk towards the field as reporters rushed to surround him, microphones pushed into his face.


    "Mr. Hall, how do you evaluate Liverpool''s performance?"


    "Don''tpare my team to Liverpool," he retorted.


    "Are you disrespecting Liverpool just because Millwall won?"


    "No, I thinkparing my yers to a bunch of party-loving misfits is disrespectful to my yers. We toiled for this victory. The Liverpool I remember was a tough team, disciplined and resolute. Was today''s opponent really Liverpool? Sorry, but I saw none of that spirit in my opponents today. Now, I''m going to celebrate with my yers. We can talk about post-match presster."


    Aldrich pushed through the crowd to join the yers and coaches. The entire team linked arms, moving to each stand to thank the fans.


    FA official Weissmann watched the Millwall yers and coaches on the pitch, genuinely smiling.


    Today''s match was truly fantastic.


    Millwall performed excellently this season, delivering a plethora of ssic matches—these are promotional highlights for English football.


    In the 95-96 season, Millwall became the second team in English history to achieve the domestic double after Arsenal!


    After winning the FA Cup, Millwall hosted several celebrations, showcasing the two trophies at their home ground. Following a few days of low-key festivities, Aldrich called a meeting with the team.


    Some yers decided to stay in London as their national teams wereing to prepare for the Ennd Euro Cup, which kick-off on June 8.


    Nedved approached Aldrich, expressing that the Czech national team wanted to borrow Millwall''s training facilities and stay at the club''s training hotel.


    Nedved was familiar with the area and knew that Millwall''s training facilities were top-notch. Indoor training could also be conducted at the hotel to avoid external disruptions.


    Although Millwall''s Lions'' Den Stadium might be small and simple, the training facility that Aldrich tirelessly developed was undoubtedly top-notch in the Premier League, just not very spacious. But as they say, "a sparrow may be small but has all its vital organs," and it could help the team maintain match fitness quickly andprehensively.


    Aldrich happily agreed, knowing that Millwall was not part of the FA''s ns for the Euro, as long as the Czech national team coordinated with the FA, no problem staying in East London.


    In the final team meeting of the season, Aldrich looked at his casually dressed yers, smiling widely as he asked, "Did you enjoy this season?"


    "Yes!"


    "How does being champions feel?"


    "It''s awesome!"


    "Is that enough?"


    "Not enough!"


    "Alright, the holiday begins—see you in two and a half months! When youe back, let''s conquer Ennd together!"


    "Okay!"


    Without international duties, the yers were thrilled and excited to go on holiday, while those with national team obligations still wore smiles.


    The achievements they secured over the past season were enough to show off to their teammates in the national team.


    After greeting each yer, Aldrich was thest to leave the meeting room.


    Most of the coaches chose to take a short trip and would return next month to watch the Ennd Euro Cup.


    Aldrich was overwhelmed with media requests, and after the meeting, he filmed a BBC interview on the training field, cradling a trophy in each hand for the camera.


    During the interview, Aldrich didn''t dwell too much on himself; he credited the yers instead.


    He emphasized that he was merely a dedicated head coach, while the yers beneath him possessed exceptional professionalism and talent. Their hard work was what made the team strong, and the honors rightfully belonged to them.


    As the Manager of the Year, Aldrich did not get carried away; rather, he was troubled.


    Andrew informed him that many teams had started making private approaches regarding Millwall''s yers.


    The most threatening interest came from Serie A.


    As for Hyypi?, Andrew quickly identified him through his information database, as Hyypi? had already made a name for himself in the Nethends.


    It wouldn''t be hard for Aldrich to introduce Hyypi?.


    First, he would need to pay the transfer fee.


    Second, he would have to promise a starting position.


    Regrettably, Aldrich cannot fulfill these two demands during this summer.


    Club CEO Adam sat in Aldrich''s office and ced a financial report in front of him.


    "What does this mean?"


    "Because of our victory, we''ve incurred quite a number of bonuses, coupled with the high wage expenditures over the past year. To put it simply, even if you don''t spend a penny this summer, we won''t have the funds to pay the yers when winter arrives."


    Adam''s words gave Aldrich a headache.


    Millwall''s total wage expenditures, including staff, coaches, and yers, were the highest in Ennd.


    Over the past year, it exceeded twenty million pounds, while Millwall''s ie wasn''t enough to break even—not even close to half.


    This left the club with just over six hundred thousand pounds.


    Aldrich scratched his head in thought for a while.


    If only it were 1997.


    In 1997, the Premier League would renew broadcasting contracts, resulting in at least a threefold increase in revenue, especially since some of it would hit the club''s ounts before the season began, allowing Millwall to weather the year.


    Aldrich had also crunched the numbers in his mind; he knew that solely relying on club operations wouldn''t offset the financial pressure from high wages. Hence, Solskj?r''s departure wasn''t purelypetitive in nature.


    Summer would bring seven million pounds in transfer fees.


    Would that be enough to help Millwall through the next season?


    <strong>Volume Two: The King of London - End.</strong>


    <strong>Next Volume: Road to Ascendancy</strong>