The Greatest Manager of All time

The first half of the Welsh derby at Liberty Stadium came to an end with Swansea leading Cardiff City 2–0 at home.

Alan Cork walked into the dressing room with a grim expression.

His hatred for Swansea burned wildly, but he could not reverse the disadvantage on the pitch. All that anger only made him feel worse inside.

On Lynn's side, however, he calmly told the players to play with even more ease in the second half.

Right now, he was trying to instill a new football idea into the team: controlling the tempo.

This concept almost did not exist in England.

Even when watching Premier League giants, their matches were always filled with blazing passion, speed, and physical clashes.

Precisely because English football lacked control over match rhythm, when the Premier League entered its grand, turbulent era over the next few years, the strongest impression it would leave on people would be its blood-pumping pace.

Almost irrational speed, whether in the team as a whole or individual players, would be displayed to the fullest on the Premier League stage.

But judging from the future development of European football, controlling match tempo was an essential skill. After the Premier League's period of brilliance, its clubs would one after another attempt to transform and seek that sense of rhythm control, only to find themselves lagging behind Europe's more advanced sides.

This kind of rhythm control had to be planted slowly, day by day, through subtle influence. When the team held the lead, Lynn first wanted the players to relax. He did not want their minds filled only with creating attacks and shooting chances. Instead, he wanted them to put more energy into observing the opponent, using the opponent's movements to discover the best attacking opportunities, and constantly making the optimal choice between focusing on attack and focusing on defense.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourselves. Remember one thing: observe the opponent more.

"When the opponent is tired, we can attack.

"When the opponent loses their head and throws everyone forward, we can easily launch quick attacks and crush their defensive line.

"When the opponent stays calm, we wear them down.

"We're leading now. The team that should be panicking and getting impatient is them.

"I'm not asking you to lower your desire to attack or your hunger for victory. I'm asking you to learn how to win intelligently, and how to win more efficiently!"

The players listened very seriously to Lynn's words, nodding unconsciously to show they understood.

Swansea had already secured promotion. The fact that they could still show such a serious attitude now was enough to make Lynn happy.

And the fact that they were willing to actively absorb the knowledge and ideas Lynn passed on to them was what comforted him most.

The second half began, with both sides changing ends.

Cardiff City's players came out looking as if they were ready to stake everything on one final push.

They fought bravely for the ball, but they did not commit malicious fouls.

Swansea controlled possession with ease, every player carrying out Lynn's half-time instruction: control the match.

When Alan Lee, Maxwell, Bowen, and Vare, Cardiff's four front and midfield players, consciously pressed together in the front line, Swansea used quick one-touch passes to move the ball into safe areas. Every time Cardiff City thought they could steal the ball from a Swansea player's feet, they came up empty!

On the pitch, Swansea's players looked as if they were casually teasing monkeys.

Watching from the touchline, Lynn was entranced. This was a different kind of beauty from the visual shock of creating dangerous attacks.

Alan Cork could not say he fully understood Swansea's tactical strategy. He could only interpret it simply as Swansea leading by two goals and now starting to waste time.

Cardiff City's players suffered through the torment. They went long periods without touching the ball, and even when they finally had attacking opportunities, their impatience quickly made those attacks fail. Possession returned to Swansea again.

The Swan Sea operated on the pitch like a precise machine.

Finally, in the 70th minute, Cardiff City completely lost patience!

Defensive midfielder Kavanagh and full-back Vidmar both rushed forward to try to tackle Nelson, but just as they closed in, Nelson passed the ball sideways to Cromwell in the middle.

At that moment, Cromwell saw the obvious gap exposed in Cardiff City's back line.

'Good. Now!'

Villa made a diagonal run into the huge space on the left flank. Cromwell slipped the ball through to him, and immediately after releasing the pass, Cromwell continued running forward.

Rhys Caston came across to defend Villa. Villa used his footwork to pull the ball back toward the outside of the box, then opened up space and passed it square.

Ibrahimović was waiting in the middle to receive it. The instant he touched the ball, he pushed it forward, only for Scott Young to slide in and block it away!

Ibrahimović was furious inside.

To him, this felt like a humiliation.

The ball rolled behind Ibrahimović and, under the gaze of every spectator, arrived in front of Cromwell.

Cromwell had shaken off Kavanagh, who had recklessly stepped forward to press and missed.

Cromwell carried the ball forward. The young captain looked at Cardiff City's defensive line and saw only one man left who could stop him.

Gary Croft.

Scott Young was still on the ground after his sliding tackle. Rhys Caston had been dragged away by Villa. Vidmar had previously failed in his attempt to tackle Nelson.

Just as Croft moved in front of Cromwell, Cromwell casually knocked the ball sideways to the right. After Cromwell released the ball, Croft instinctively took one step toward the direction the ball was rolling.

Then he saw someone rushing onto the ball, ready to play it first time without stopping it.

James Cook!

Before Cook even made the pass, a chilling thought flashed through Croft's mind.

A wall pass!

That was exactly right. When Cook sent the ball back out, he slipped it diagonally behind Croft. Cromwell burst into the penalty area and was suddenly one-on-one!

Every Swan Sea fan in the Liberty Stadium stands was so excited they forgot themselves.

Once again, Swansea displayed a style and quality of football that did not belong on a Third Division pitch!

They used ground passing and movement to collapse the opponent's defense.

They destroyed their opponents beautifully.

Goalkeeper Alexsander rushed off his line. He had only taken two steps when he saw Cromwell make an unbelievable choice.

A pass!

Cromwell calmly squared the ball to the left. Ibrahimović, arriving in support, faced an empty net and finished easily with the inside of his foot. Scott Young had got up from the ground and gone after Cromwell, which left Ibrahimović completely unmarked!

Perhaps even Ibrahimović was surprised that Cromwell would pass to him when he had a one-on-one chance. After easily putting the ball into the net, he turned and looked toward Cromwell, roaring with delighted laughter.

"Oliver, come here and let me kiss you!"

Cromwell burst out laughing. "No way!"

The two came face-to-face and slapped palms. Then Ibrahimović lifted Cromwell up, knowing that most of the credit for that goal belonged to Cromwell!

After seeing the goal, Lynn took two steps forward, raised both fists high, and smiled with pure joy.

He was proud of the team's performance!

He also believed Cromwell's leadership would help Swansea move toward the ranks of top teams even faster!

"Cardiff City have no chance now! Swansea have sealed the victory!

"Cromwell truly is an outstanding attacking organizer. He immediately spotted the hole in Cardiff City's defensive line and passed the ball to Villa, who had run into space. Although Ibrahimović was blocked by Scott Young after receiving Villa's pass, the space in front of Cardiff's penalty area was simply too large. Kavanagh and Vare had both stepped forward to counter-press earlier, and they couldn't outrun Cromwell.

"Then Cromwell played a wall pass with James Cook, entered the penalty area, and after forming a one-on-one, he unselfishly assisted Ibrahimović for an easy finish into an empty net!

"3–0!

"Swansea have taken a crushing lead over Cardiff City!"

Alan Cork lowered his head on the bench.

His hatred burned to the sky, but there was nothing he could do. His team's situation had become dangerous.

This match was already lost beyond argument. More importantly, in the other match, he had received news that Chesterfield were now two goals ahead of Carlisle United.

In other words, after this round, with only five league matches remaining, Cardiff City would fall to fourth in the table and might have to play in the promotion play-offs!

Cardiff City's players were already exhausted on the pitch.

More importantly, they were mentally exhausted.

The heavy psychological pressure and emotional suppression made their physical energy drain even faster. Unable to reverse the disadvantage, they were now close to the edge of giving up.

Swansea's players, meanwhile, became braver the longer the match went on. The fun the match brought them, and the pride of leading by such a large score, made them feel no fatigue at all. If anything, they wanted more.

Alan Cork stood up and walked to the touchline, signaling for a tactical adjustment.

Focus on defense!

Yes, under pressure and considering the bigger picture, he had to do this.

He was worried that if Cardiff City were massacred by Swansea in this match, the psychological damage might carry into the final five league games. If that happened, Cardiff City might truly have to go and fight their way through the play-offs.

Lynn saw Cardiff City's tactical change from the touchline, but he did not ease off. Instead, he replaced wide midfielder Nelson with Charisteas.

Swansea switched to a 3-4-3.

Three forwards began wreaking havoc inside the penalty area, especially with two tall targets among them.

Swansea relied on James Cook and Evra on the two flanks to send crosses in, supplying ammunition to the players in the box.

In the 78th minute, James Cook sent an accurate cross from the wing toward Charisteas. The Greek forward charged forward easily and headed the ball into the goal guarded by Alexsander!

4–0!

Liberty Stadium had already become a sea of celebration for Swansea's fans.

Alan Cork walked to the touchline and, as if possessed, shouted something toward Lynn.

"Hey, is this really necessary?"

Lynn was surprised that Alan Cork would actually take the initiative to speak to him. He turned his head and saw Alan Cork's helplessness and dejection under the blow of cruel reality.

Lynn smiled at him and shouted back, "If you were me, would you think it was necessary?"

Alan Cork's heart filled with mixed feelings.

Yes.

Was it necessary?

If their positions were reversed today, perhaps Alan Cork himself would have shown mercy.

There was no need to insist on beating an opponent in one match, crushing them, and smashing even their dignity to pieces.

But Lynn was not Alan Cork.

From the very beginning, Lynn had been walking a path unlike anyone else's.

For him, there was no question of whether it was necessary or not.

He would simply use all his strength to beat the opponent to death.

Alan Cork returned to the bench and used all three substitutions in succession to strengthen the defense.

Cardiff City quickly reinforced the fence. Although Swansea's attacks surged like waves in the final stage of the match, they were unable to score again.

The moment the final whistle sounded, Swansea's players raised their fists on the pitch, faint pride on their faces.

They had once again trampled Cardiff City underfoot!

And this time, it was a complete victory!

"In the 41st round of the Third Division, Swansea have defeated Cardiff City 4–0 at home in the Welsh derby. This season, they have completed a double over Cardiff City, reversing the long-standing situation in which they had been inferior to their rivals.

"Because Brighton unexpectedly lost this round, Swansea's lead at the top of the table has expanded to eight points. With only five rounds remaining, it is only a matter of time before Swansea win the league title!"

After the match, Alan Cork and Lynn walked together.

As they shook hands, Alan Cork stared seriously at Lynn and said, "You're a bastard, but the team you've built is very strong. What I said before has become a joke. Swansea really have used money to build a team with extraordinary fighting power. Of course, perhaps some of that is down to you too. But that doesn't change the fact that you're a bastard."

The corner of Lynn's mouth lifted. He smiled at Alan Cork and said, "Even if you compliment me now, I won't change my opinion of you. Just as you think I'm a bastard, you're not much better.

"Maybe coaching a team is just a job to you, but Swansea is my career. Our positions and identities are different. Anyone who provokes me won't get anything good from it.

"Unfortunately, you once pissed me off. Remember the lesson. Don't casually offend my team or me. And if you plan to do it anyway, prepare yourself for my counterattack.

"Also, about the last time I beat you up, I don't feel sorry. Beating you felt great."

A flash of hatred appeared on Alan Cork's face. He said darkly, "Last time, you cheated. You threw your coat over my head!"

Lynn's smile did not change. He raised an eyebrow.

"Want to arrange another one in private? This time, we'll get in a ring and find a referee. Are you in?"

Alan Cork's facial muscles twitched twice. He avoided Lynn's gaze, quickly released his hand, and turned away.

"Hmph. I'm not interested in something that boring."

Lynn watched Alan Cork's back, the smile on his face growing even wider.

When he turned back toward the pitch, he saw Swansea's players in the distance standing before the stands, thanking the fans together.

Completing a league double over Cardiff City this season would surely help Swansea's local fan base grow.

The glow of dusk made Liberty Stadium look breathtakingly beautiful. The mud-covered swans shook the dirt from their bodies, raised their heads beneath the sunlight, spread their wings, and looked longingly up at the sky.

How high, exactly, is the sky?

I want to go and see.