Manchester City, chasing a record-equalling fourth League Cup victory on the bounce, faces the unknown in Ryan Mason – who became the youngest person to manage in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Liverpool is the only team to win four League Cups in a row (1981-1984).
Mason was 29 years and 312 days old when he took charge of the match against Southampton which Spurs won 2-1 – two days after Jose Mourinho was sensationally sacked.
Mason, however, failed to beat Frank Sibley’s record as the youngest manager in the English top flight. Sibley was four days younger when he managed Queen Park Rangers in 1977.
City has a slight edge in today’s final (11.30pm Malaysian time) but Tottenham players are fired up to prove they can find a way to play attractive football and win now that bus-parking expert Mourinho is no longer in charge.
Here are what fans of those teams have to say ahead of the game.
Serbegeth ‘Shebby’ Singh (Tottenham)
“Tottenham has given itself a good chance of winning the Cup by sacking Mourhino. It is a pity the league didn’t end in December when the team was top of the table!
Jokes aside, Mourinho’s sacking has come at the right time. The preparation will go on without drama. The concentration is purely on football. Spurs will give Manchester City a good game because many players would breathe a sigh of relief and want to prove a point to Mourinho.
Manchester City is a fantastic football team. It has world-class players. The team plays a high standard of football week-in week-out. It will be a wonderful game to watch.”
Hanafi Mohammad (Manchester City)
“The football world is so messed up lately. Hopefully, things will get better, now that the European Super League is on hold.
I’m sad as Sergio Aguero is leaving the club at the end of the season. I’m going to miss his action on the Etihad pitch.
I’m hoping Pep Guardiola gives Aguero a chance to play and he scores a goal or two. I believe City will win 3-1.”
Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz (Tottenham)
“The turmoil and drama of the last few days, in the wake of Mourinho’s sudden dismissal as Tottenham boss, would serve to galvanise the troops against the goliaths of Manchester City.
It would not be surprising for Spurs fans not to harbour much hope of victory but no self-respecting fan and true supporter would totally write off the team’s prospects.
After so many years of waiting to garner a trophy of any significance, the least we can do is to savour the experience and embrace the realities of a sporting competition.
Win or lose, I am proud of the team that I support unequivocally.”
Amar Qastellani Tajuddin (Manchester City)
“I haven’t watched a full match in a long time. Just highlights. It will be the same for the final.
I will just watch the highlights to see Spurs lose 3-1 and City win the trophy for the fourth consecutive year.”
Mustapha Kamaruddin (Tottenham)
“My heart says Tottenham but my brain tells me City.
Spurs can still steal a one-goal victory if Mason employs an attacking game.
Harry Kane is doubtful as he picked up a knock but Spurs still have Son Heung-min, Gareth Bale, Lucas Moura, Giovani Lo Celso and even leftback Sergio Reguilon to create chances.”
Today’s fixture (Malaysian time)
League Cup final: Manchester City vs Tottenham (11.30pm)
