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 a complacent attitude just because they have a lead; it's a dangerous mindset. If it becomes a habit, it can turn a comedy into a tragedy at critical moments.
Aldrich's demands might seem harsh, but that's his coaching style. It subtly keeps the players focused for all ninety minutes of the match.
Anyone who relaxes 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 to compress 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 flaws—unless you plan 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 flanks 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 play 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.
Capdevila replaced Zambrotta.
Vieira took over from Pirlo.
Every substitution was carefully matched.
Making his first appearance at right-back, Schneider almost played like a wing-back in the last 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!"
Trezeguet lay 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, occasionally 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 net.
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 a landmark victory.
With multiple players 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 the largest margin of victory in a final. Especially in this match where the opposing team was England's traditional powerhouse Liverpool, it makes this history all the more convincing. The Liverpool players collapsed 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. Congratulations 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 applause, along with the Millwall team he leads!"
The players 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 clapping.
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't compare my team to Liverpool," he retorted.
"Are you disrespecting Liverpool just because Millwall won?"
"No, I think comparing my players to a bunch of party-loving misfits is disrespectful to my players. 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 players. We can talk about post-match press later."
Aldrich pushed through the crowd to join the players and coaches. The entire team linked arms, moving to each stand to thank the fans.
FA official Weissmann watched the Millwall players and coaches on the pitch, genuinely smiling.
Today's match was truly fantastic.
Millwall performed excellently this season, delivering a plethora of classic 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 players decided to stay in London as their national teams were coming to prepare for the England 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 and comprehensively.
Aldrich happily agreed, knowing that Millwall was not part of the FA's plans 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 players, 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 you come back, let's conquer England together!"
"Okay!"
Without international duties, the players 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 player, Aldrich was the last to leave the meeting room.
Most of the coaches chose to take a short trip and would return next month to watch the England 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 players instead.
He emphasized that he was merely a dedicated head coach, while the players 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 players.
The most threatening interest came from Serie A.
As for Hyypiä, Andrew quickly identified him through his information database, as Hyypiä had already made a name for himself in the Netherlands.
It wouldn't be hard for Aldrich to introduce Hyypiä.
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 placed 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 players when winter arrives."
Adam's words gave Aldrich a headache.
Millwall's total wage expenditures, including staff, coaches, and players, were the highest in England.
Over the past year, it exceeded twenty million pounds, while Millwall's income 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 accounts 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, Solskjær's departure wasn't purely competitive in nature.
Summer would bring seven million pounds in transfer fees.
Would that be enough to help Millwall through the next season?
Volume Two: The King of London - End.
Next Volume: Road to Ascendancy