On the evening of April 24, at the Etihad Stadium.
When the Hungarian referee Kassai blew the final whistle, the entire stadium fell silent. Everyone stared at the scoreboard in disbelief.
0-1.
By convention, the home team's score comes first.
Manchester City had actually lost at home.
Head coach Pellegrini stood in front of the dugout. He looked calm in his suit and tie, but his face could not hide the disappointment. When he turned back, his lonely figure revealed his helplessness.
The mighty Manchester City had been beaten.
And at home.
Heynckes and Bayern Munich were ecstatic.
The players celebrated wildly.
They had finally avenged last season's defeat. Even though this Manchester City side was not as deep as before, Bayern were still delighted.
First they beat Manchester City, then they would go after Gao Shen.
It had been a very tough game.
Bayern, away from home, had only 34% possession, only 4 shots, and just 1 on target. But that one effort was enough, as Thomas Müller scored past his German international teammate Neuer.
The keeper had no chance, the distance was too close.
Who could stop a shot like that from inside the box?
Manchester City had 15 shots, 7 on target, but failed to score.
In Gao Shen's previous life, the veteran goalkeeper Butt, who should have long retired, had once again produced a brilliant performance. He was about to turn 39 on May 28, yet left a deep impression.
There were even reports that Bayern were considering renewing his contract for another year.
Based on his performance at the Etihad, he had earned it.
Bayern's defense of Alaba, Dante, Van Buyten and Lahm, a midfield of Schweinsteiger, Gustavo and Vidal, with Ribéry, Mandzukic and Müller up front…
This lineup, with its immense pressing power, handed Manchester City a crushing defeat at home.
For over 80 minutes, City battled. Then in the 83rd minute, Alaba made a sudden overlapping run, received a clever pass from Ribéry, and whipped in a low cross. Müller finished from close range at the back post.
It was Bayern's only shot on target all game, and it went in.
What could Pellegrini say?
When he turned to his assistants, then looked at the disappointed fans, the Chilean engineer felt heavy. He knew full well that everyone in the stadium, aside from Bayern, was thinking of his predecessor.
Only yesterday, that predecessor had led Real Madrid to a 2-0 win at the Parc des Princes against a star-studded PSG, almost securing a place in the final.
Tonight, Pellegrini had lost at home to Bayern.
He could give countless explanations, but none could hide the truth.
Comparison was the cruelest of all.
And Pellegrini was not the first victim, nor would he be the last.
…
"He's not Gao after all."
In the chairman's box, Manchester City chairman Mubarak lowered his head, watching the players leave the field, frustrated.
The last three years had been glorious, but tonight was bitter.
He had dreamed of three straight Champions League titles.
Now that dream looked increasingly out of reach.
It was not a question of strength, but Pellegrini's lack of authority.
All season, City had struggled with how to manage their front-line superstars.
Gareth Bale, Van Persie, Suárez, Robben, Robinho, Sturridge, Hazard…
During Gao Shen's era, with four competitions to play, City had built two strong lineups with depth on the bench.
From investment to results, it was cost-effective. From player value growth, it was a goldmine.
Gao Shen had brought not just trophies, but a treasure chest of talent.
But Pellegrini was no Gao Shen. He lacked Gao Shen's authority and ability, and could not control the dressing room.
As a result, issues surfaced this season.
Robinho and Sturridge, left without minutes, became discontent.
Under Gao Shen, even as subs or rotation players, they would never have dared to complain. Now, they openly voiced dissatisfaction to the media.
That was City's biggest problem.
Tactically too, Pellegrini relied too heavily on his stars. The balance between attack and defense was lost.
In the league, Manchester United pressed them down. In Europe, Bayern beat them at the Etihad.
This season had been unlucky and difficult.
There was no need to sack Pellegrini, but the truth was clear.
He was not the right successor to Gao Shen.
"Brian, what does your technical team make of Sarri?" Mubarak asked.
Leeds United had performed well this season, holding sixth place in the Premier League.
Interestingly, just as Gao Shen was known as the king of cup competitions, Sarri seemed to share the same trait.
Leeds had done well not only in the league but in the cups.
For example, in the League Cup.
In March, they thrashed Bradford 5-0 to win the trophy.
It wasn't a major honor, but it was silverware, and earned them a Europa League place.
They had even reached two consecutive League Cup finals.
Last season they lost to Gao Shen's Manchester City as the underdog. This season they beat Bradford in a Yorkshire derby to lift the cup.
And Leeds had also reached the FA Cup final, beating Millwall 2-0 in the semis.
City themselves had beaten Mourinho's Chelsea 2-1 to also reach the final.
Top of the league and finalists in both domestic cups, Sarri had earned a reputation as a cup specialist.
Naturally, this caught the attention of many European clubs, especially in Italy.
Manchester City knew him well and were paying close attention, given Pellegrini's struggles.
"We all feel Sarri is still far behind Gao Shen, and may not even be better than Pellegrini," Brian Marwood shook his head.
Mubarak nodded. It was only natural.
There was only one Gao Shen. A unique figure.
Even Guardiola, Gao Shen's own recommendation, might not match him.
"You spoke to Gao Shen before. What did he say?" Mubarak asked.
Marwood smiled.
"He pulled a clever trick."
City's CEO Gary Cook had been dismissed after an email controversy, leaving the CEO role vacant.
They had wanted Guardiola. But he didn't want to inherit Gao Shen's job straight away, so he went to Bayern. City, however, still wanted him.
With Gao Shen committed to Real Madrid, Guardiola was the next best choice, and a disciple of Gao Shen too.
So Mubarak asked Marwood to consult Gao Shen.
Gao Shen suggested recruiting former Barcelona vice president Ferran Soriano and former technical director Txiki Begiristain. Both were highly capable, and could then lure Guardiola.
"That's a good move!" Mubarak laughed.
It was unconventional, but brilliant.
"I checked them out. They're very competent, and close with Gao Shen," Marwood confirmed.
He wasn't worried about his own role at City. Even if he handed over technical duties, he would remain on the board.
Mubarak nodded. "Then make contact. I'll arrange to meet them."
Marwood agreed.
"By the way, Rudolf Borrell called me."
"What about?" Mubarak asked, surprised.
Borrell, Gao Shen's former assistant in charge of youth, had since joined Leeds as technical director.
"They're rebuilding their youth setup."
"Yes, I heard they're scouting worldwide. It came up at the Premier League summit."
"He's calmer now, but still targeted us. Remember, he used to run our youth academy."
"Who?"
"Sterling and Rabiot, plus youngsters like Sancho and Alexander-Arnold. They're all interested."
Since the FA's youth reforms, young players could "transfer" with compensation.
City's academy was strong, but players like Rabiot, turning 18, and Sterling had no first-team chances.
The squad was too stacked. The pathway was blocked.
Under such conditions, it was hard to keep them.
Loans or sales were the only options.
But City never saw themselves as a development club.
Their strategy was simple: let others develop the youngsters, then buy them back when needed.
It was the model of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United.
And also Manchester City.
"Alright, let them pay the fee," Mubarak said flatly.
(To be continued.)