The summer of 2016 signaled a time of excitement for soccer fans in Manchester, U.K. After Leicester City’s miraculous run to the Premier League title during the 2015–16 season, both Manchester City and Manchester United appointed new, world-class managers as the sides looked to rebound and mount title challenges. City named Pep Guardiola, while José Mourinho took over from Louis van Gaal at United, after a dreary two years for the Dutchman. Years earlier, the two managers were at the helm of Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively in Spain, where they formed a legendary rivalry coaching two of the best teams in the game’s history, and English fans expected a similar battle.[…]

This article first appeared on The Tufts Daily on September 16, 2019