Even the wording is eerily similar. Like back in 1983, Gabriel Clarke probably expected Thomas Tuchel to eulogise about what his England players had just achieved in reaching the World Cup semi-final from the outset.
Just as an irate Sir Alex Ferguson did, after guiding Aberdeen to cup success over Rangers 43 years ago, Tuchel instead laid down the gauntlet to his jubilant charges – he wants and expects more.
Ferguson labelled that Aberdeen showing a disgrace. While Tuchel did not go quite as far, the thinking behind engaging in such psychological warfare is the same. It is what elite managers do.
Ilkay Gundogan explained how Pep Guardiola was always harsher on his players when they won. One particular example he cited upon the Catalan’s Manchester City farewell was when, in 2022, City had just become the first team in Champions League history to lead an away knockout tie by at least four goals at half-time against Sporting Lisbon, Guardiola came into the dressing room fuming.
Certain passes weren’t right as he berated his players – if they played like that in the next round, they were out.
