Asked about the FA Cup final on Saturday, Erling Haaland broke rank with the strict one-game-at-a-time mantra that has defined Manchester City’s four Premier League titles in a row.
“We’ll try to go for the double but right now I don’t focus on that,” he said. “I focus on what we’ve just achieved and now it’s about enjoying that. In a couple of days, let’s start focusing on the FA Cup.”
It takes something big to derail the hardened collective mentality of a game-by-game tunnel vision, especially in the build-up to a huge FA Cup final. But it’s not every day you create English football history.
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“I celebrate with my family and friends and of course with the whole club,” Haaland continued. “This trophy – for the fourth year in a row – is for the whole club so everybody should celebrate it.”
As the players headed first to the Tunnel Club hospitality and then to a Greek restaurant in town, most changed into something more comfortable and more expensive. Haaland kept his City training wear on. Jack Grealish’s outfit reportedly cost over £2000, and the bar bill racked up by the City squad will have been in the thousands, too.
But who are we to tell the players how to enjoy their latest title? This has been 11 months in the making, and at times they will have felt it was not possible. Pep Guardiola looked emotionally drained as he spoke to the media in his press conference, and he too was at the player’s party alongside his wife. For a man hardwired to perfect every minute detail, he had to allow himself to have a night off and enjoy himself. Easier said than done, however.
“The team surprises me, the organisation surprises me,” Guardiola said. “[This is an] incredible club, all departments driving each other to the next level.”
City make a big deal over celebrating their backroom staff and Guardiola mentioned the unit behind him repeatedly on Sunday. After a few moments of the squad jumping around with the trophy in the sun, the dozens of staff members and coaches flooded towards the podium to join in.
This was as much their title as Phil Foden’s or Rodri’s. As the supporters left to return to the beer gardens, that is what the Etihad became as the sun went down. Players, staff and their families milled around with beers, taking photographs as the smaller family members played with the ticker tape. Appreciating the role of family members is another important part of these celebrations.
When those youngsters would go home, the squad turned their attention to partying. At the heart of it was all the staff who have formed close bonds with the players over a number of years, first in the Tunnel Club and then in the city centre.
Grealish’s Instagram featured more celebratory moments with the kitmen, physios and analysts than with his teammates – maybe because there is less responsibility for the non-playing staff to be in tip top shape for the cup final? Or maybe because these people know exactly what is expected of the players yet have a grounding quality away from the pitch that can keep their minds fresh. They are friends and just as much a part of all the success.
Haaland also posed for photos with staff, his low-key outfit for the night showing he cares little for the cameras and more about celebrating with the people he is close to. His family and friends joined him and he stayed true to his vow to enjoy the title win with the people who matter.
One picture was posted alongside family members and backroom staff mixed together, captioned: ‘Brothers’. Grealish called one non-playing colleague the best man in the world and was filmed singing with friends, family and staff before leaving the Etihad.
Guardiola called for a collective unit between the squad and fans ahead of the final day in his passionate programme notes and he got it. The bond between the City players is clear to see and has been for some time. The insights we see into the celebrations proves that it’s a bond which stretches to the backroom staff as well – a relationship as important as any on the pitch this season.