The celebration continued for what felt like hours. Fans singing, players dancing, the pure unfiltered joy of a dream realized. I found myself standing with Frankie, watching it all unfold.
"You know what the best part is?" Frankie said quietly. "It's not the tactics. It's not even winning. It's this. Seeing these people players, fans, staff all coming together. All believing in something bigger than themselves. That's what you built, Gaffer. Not a tactical masterpiece. A family."
I nodded, unable to speak. He was right. The system had given me the tools, but these people had given me something far more valuable. They'd given me purpose. They'd given me belonging. They'd given me a reason to fight.
Eventually, we made our way to the dressing room. The champagne was flowing, the music was blasting, and the players were in various states of euphoria and exhaustion.
