A Historic FA Cup Final Amidst Modern Football Challenges
Calum McFarlane’s presence at Wembley is a unique moment in the history of the FA Cup. As an English manager, he has the chance to become the first since Harry Redknapp in 2008 to lift the trophy. This opportunity comes just six games into his coaching career, making it all the more remarkable.
Wearing a suit for the final is a dream many managers have had. Brian Clough only achieved this two years before retiring and never won the FA Cup. Now, a novice like McFarlane stands on the brink of glory, facing the challenge of out-coaching a legend like Pep Guardiola. This adds a layer of intrigue to the story.
In previous decades, such moments were seen as curiosities, like Malcolm Crosby’s appearance with Sunderland in 1992 or Alan Ashman’s 1968 victory with West Brom. However, these days, people don’t view FA Cup lore in that way anymore. McFarlane’s rise isn’t just a quirk; it’s a reflection of the modern game’s financial distortions, exemplified by Chelsea’s ownership structure.
The questionable financial experiment has led to unusual outcomes, including McFarlane’s elevation. The relationship with Kinetic has played a role in this. Yet, there’s a question over whether many will care outside of Chelsea and Manchester City.
This FA Cup final already feels like it’s struggling for attention in the news cycle. With both clubs involved in intense Premier League battles, there are other pressing stories. For example, Manchester City faces uncertainty over Guardiola’s future, while Chelsea searches for a permanent coach, expected to be Xabi Alonso.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur’s potential relegation is a major talking point, as Arsenal tries to manage the pressure of the title race and prepare for a Champions League final. In the longer term, the most politicized World Cup in years is on the horizon, with England having a good chance of winning.
Even on the day, the Scottish title race is in focus, with Hearts hoping to win their first title in 66 years and end 41 years of Old Firm dominance. This contrast highlights how the FA Cup final gets its special day not because of present intrigue but due to historical significance.
As Hearts strive for this rare moment, there hasn’t been an FA Cup final without City or Chelsea in a decade. Both clubs have managed to secure trophies even during tough seasons, which may well be the case this season.
Chelsea has endured chaos and turmoil but could add this FA Cup to last season’s Europa Conference League and Club World Cup victories. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola might face his first two consecutive seasons without a league title, or he could still win another domestic treble. Such opportunities reflect the financial power of these clubs rather than anything about the cup itself.
The shame is that it has quickly shifted from one extreme to another. Last season reminded everyone what the FA Cup should feel like, as it meant everything to Crystal Palace. Fans were openly weeping in the stands. Will anyone be celebrating joyfully at Wembley?
Even one of them against either Leeds United or Southampton would have offered something different, along with the possibility of an upset—a story. A Leeds-Saints final would have been entirely different, given both clubs aiming for their first trophy in decades. There would have been a magic about it.
However, this week might have changed that. What would the build-up have been like if Southampton was in the final and also embroiled in an alleged rule-breaking controversy? This raises a significant element around this final: rarely acknowledged in broadcasting but always present.
If we’re past the point where English football’s national day is a barometer for the national game, this one says something else about it. It is a meeting between one club recently punished for breaching Premier League rules and another still awaiting the outcome of an even wider-ranging case, which amounts to the biggest ongoing controversy in English football.
Manchester City insists on their innocence. 
Chelsea’s new ownership admitted guilt from the Roman Abramovich era, a concession many felt brought an unduly lenient punishment. The club is still under investigation by the FA, the organizers of this competition. It is, put bluntly, a remarkable setting for this historic fixture. Alongside private equity versus state ownership, England’s showpiece is this year a showcase of many of its issues, even regarding regulation.
No matter the actual outcome of the City case, it remains humiliating for the game that it hasn’t been resolved. It fosters so much uncertainty and doubt. Even if it won’t be mentioned much on Saturday, it’s hard not to feel it has influenced the apathy surrounding this final.
McFarlane will have one of the days of his life. The football traditionalist in Guardiola values his record in this competition—especially as City make history by reaching the final for the fourth consecutive year.
The club can still win that domestic treble. Even two domestic cups would be a return that other clubs can only dream about, while potentially carrying greater weight if this is to be Guardiola’s last season. The widespread expectation that he will soon leave the club has started to change over the past two weeks. Guardiola clearly has a fine team again, and one that will tempt him to stay.
They will be the clear favorites on Saturday, but that’s also where genuine football intrigue lies. Chelsea’s modern incarnation has made them one of those clubs that can suddenly raise that intrigue. McFarlane himself secured a 1-1 draw away to City in his very first game as a manager, back in January.
There’s even the subplot about this squad, and what it would say about them if they were to win a trophy after a season of so much controversy. Will anyone really be talking about it, though? It would be just another trophy for these clubs, in a season filled with other stories.
