Rebuilding the Theatre

As May arrived, the countdown to Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement began in earnest. The football world was abuzz with speculation about his successor, but Ferguson himself was growing increasingly frustrated. Despite his recommendation of Jin Taige, the club had yet to make an official announcement. The Glazer family, known for their profit-driven approach, seemed hesitant to take a risk on an unproven coach from the youth ranks.

Ferguson, however, was not one to sit idly by. In a bold move, he promoted Jin Taige to the role of his second assistant coach, bringing him into the first-team setup. It was a clear signal of his faith in the young coach, but the club's silence persisted.

On May 12, 2013, Manchester United faced Swansea at Old Trafford in what would be Ferguson's final home game. The Red Devils secured a 2-1 victory, a fitting end to Ferguson's legendary tenure at the Theatre of Dreams. The atmosphere was electric, with fans chanting his name and holding banners that read, "Thank you, Sir Alex." Yet, beneath the celebrations, there was an undercurrent of uncertainty. Who would lead Manchester United into the future?

A week later, on May 19, Manchester United played their final league match of the season against West Brom. The game ended in a thrilling 5-5 draw, a chaotic yet entertaining conclusion to Ferguson's managerial career. But the real drama unfolded after the final whistle.

At the post-match press conference, Ferguson made two announcements that sent shockwaves through the football world.

"First," he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion, "today marks my 1,500th game as manager of Manchester United. It is with a heavy heart that I officially announce my retirement."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. Then, Ferguson dropped his second bombshell.

"Second, I strongly recommend Tiger King as my successor. I believe he has the vision, the passion, and the understanding of this club to lead Manchester United into a new era of glory."

The room erupted in a frenzy of questions, but Ferguson offered no further comments. He simply stood, nodded to the gathered press, and walked away, leaving behind a legacy and a question that would dominate headlines for weeks: Who is Tiger King?

The following morning, Ferguson was enjoying his first day of retirement when an unexpected visitor arrived at his home. Malcolm Glazer, the reclusive owner of Manchester United, had come to see him.

Ferguson greeted him with a wry smile. "Mr. Glazer, I rarely saw you during my time as manager. Now that I've retired, you show up at my doorstep. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Glazer, unfazed by the jab, took a seat. "You made quite the statement yesterday, Sir Alex. The whole world is talking about it."

Ferguson shrugged. "Since the club seemed unwilling to make a decision, I thought I'd offer some guidance. No need to thank me—it's the least I could do."

Glazer leaned forward, his expression serious. "You've put us in a difficult position. The entire football world now expects us to appoint Tiger King. But appointing a youth team assistant coach as the manager of Manchester United? It's unprecedented."

Ferguson poured a cup of warm water and handed it to Glazer. "Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best. Trust me, Malcolm. Jin Taige is the right man for the job. I stake my reputation on it."

Glazer studied Ferguson for a long moment. "You really believe in him, don't you?"

"I do," Ferguson replied without hesitation. "And I hope you'll trust my judgment. This isn't about me winning or losing. It's about what's best for Manchester United."

After an hour of discussion, Glazer left Ferguson's home with a sense of resolve. As a shrewd businessman, he understood the risks of appointing an unproven coach. But he also recognized the potential rewards. Ferguson's endorsement carried immense weight, and Glazer knew that betting on Jin Taige could pay off in ways he couldn't yet imagine.

The following day, Manchester United held a press conference. CEO David Gill stood before the gathered media and made the announcement that would define the club's future.

"After careful consideration and consultation with Sir Alex Ferguson, we are proud to announce that Mr. Jin Taige will be the new manager of Manchester United."

The room erupted in a cacophony of questions and exclamations. Few had expected the club to take such a bold step, and the football world was left reeling.

In London, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich sat in his luxurious villa, a glass of red wine in hand. Across from him was José Mourinho, the self-proclaimed "Special One," who had just returned to England after a tumultuous spell at Real Madrid.

"I thought your return would be the biggest news of the summer," Abramovich said with a smirk. "But Manchester United has stolen the spotlight. Who is this Jin Taige? A youth team coach with no first-team experience? Malcolm must be losing his mind."

Mourinho chuckled. "Perhaps he's another Guardiola, a diamond in the rough. But let's be honest—this is the Premier League. If Jin Taige thinks he can survive here, he's in for a rude awakening."

Meanwhile, in another part of London, Arsène Wenger watched the press conference on television. The Arsenal manager, known for his calm demeanor, allowed himself a small smile. "Perhaps next season will be easier than I thought," he murmured.

As the dust settled, Jin Taige stood at the precipice of a new chapter in his life—and in the history of Manchester United. The road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but he was ready. With Ferguson's guidance and the support of the club, he would strive to uphold the legacy of the Red Devils and lead them to new heights.

The football world watched with bated breath. Would Jin Taige prove to be the next Guardiola, a visionary who could redefine the game? Or would he falter under the immense pressure of managing one of the world's biggest clubs?

Only time would tell. But one thing was certain: the era of Tiger King had begun.