The moment the final whistle blew, Ethan's coaching staff and Luton's substitute players surged onto the pitch in celebration.
Jamie Vardy was ecstatic. Though he had already changed into a dry training shirt, he tore it off and waved it wildly over his head, chest bare and hair matted with sweat.
Kanté rushed toward him, and the two embraced in sheer joy.
"Quarter-finals! Quarter-finals! We're in the quarter-finals!"
The Luton players chanted in unison, their voices echoing across the stands. The Luton supporters erupted, singing, cheering, some in tears.
Ethan joined the jubilation after courteously shaking hands with Mark Hughes. He exchanged high-fives and hugs with his staff — a victory shared by all. Ethan had never been arrogant enough to believe he could win matches alone. Just as the team needed a leader, he needed his assistants — each playing their part in this incredible journey.
"Well done, lad!" Old John, the team's kitman and long-time club servant, was overcome with emotion. Tears welled in his eyes — it had been nearly twenty years since Luton Town had progressed this far in the FA Cup. In his heart, he believed this was the strongest Luton side in decades — even if they were currently in the Championship.
Even as Ethan celebrated with the players, John watched him quietly from the sidelines.
At just twenty-seven, Ethan still looked younger than some of the players on the pitch. But his tall stature and confident smile radiated the kind of leadership that inspired belief. That — John thought — was what set him apart.
Mel Donald, the team's head of fitness, stood next to John. He knew exactly what the old man was thinking.
The media was constantly buzzing about Adam's off-field issues and Manchester City's big-money distractions, but the real concern for Luton wasn't any of that — it was whether they could keep hold of their young, gifted manager.
With every giant-killing performance, Ethan's stock was rising. Even if Luton were to earn promotion every season, it would still take at least three years to reach the Premier League. Could they really keep him that long? What if a top-flight club came calling before then?
John and Mel exchanged a glance — pride and anxiety mingling in their eyes.
Meanwhile, Ethan pulled Kanté into a tight hug. The Frenchman wore his usual humble smile.
"Outstanding job, kid! You shut down Robinho!" Ethan beamed as he ruffled Kanté's head.
"You're the best defensive midfielder in the world, N'Golo," he added, patting his shoulder.
Kanté flushed at the compliment, though his dark skin masked the blush. His heart swelled — am I really the best?
For a footballer, confidence is everything, and Ethan had just handed him a gift more powerful than tactics — belief.
Ethan didn't stop there. He made sure to personally praise every player who had stepped onto the pitch. Then, with arms linked, they walked around the stadium, saluting the Luton fans who had traveled in droves to witness history.
"While Luton celebrate, Manchester City leave the pitch in silence. This is their heartbreak," said commentator Martin Letkinson, rising from his seat.
"Honestly, before the match, I never would have bet on Luton," admitted Redknapp. "But now? I've changed my mind. This is a team with serious quality. Ethan's done an unbelievable job — to build this side in the Championship? Truly impressive."
"A team like this doesn't belong in the second tier. Hopefully they'll be in the Premier League soon," Letkinson added.
"But let's be real," said Redknapp with a sigh, "next season, how many of these players will still be wearing a Luton shirt?"
Since Chelsea's success and the Abu Dhabi Group's takeover of Manchester City, the age of big-money football had exploded. And Luton, with their rising stars, would inevitably become a hunting ground for top-flight clubs.
"The better Luton do," Letkinson concluded, "the more the vultures will circle."
But Ethan wasn't thinking about that tonight. His key players — Kanté, Vardy, and others — were all locked into long-term contracts, most of them running for at least four or five years. Without buyout clauses, any club that wanted them would have to pay a premium.
For now, Ethan's mind was fixed on the quarter-finals. And for Luton Town — a team fighting for promotion and now taking down giants in the FA Cup — the dream lived on.
If Ethan had enough funds in the transfer market, he could easily rebuild a squad just as strong as the current one—if not stronger. That's Ethan's true edge: he knows where the future stars are before anyone else does.
And what about a season or two from now? Who can say? Football's a game full of uncertainty.
Mark Hughes didn't even show up for the post-match press conference. Not that Manchester City cared—they'd gladly pay fines for the next hundred years if it meant skipping awkward media sessions after defeats.
Ethan, on the other hand, was in high spirits after the win and appeared on time for the press conference. With Hughes absent, the spotlight was firmly on him.
The media didn't hold back and brought up the ongoing transfer rumors linking Adam to Manchester City. But this time, Ethan didn't dodge the question. His team had just dismantled City—he had every reason to feel confident.
"Adam? He's a fantastic young talent," Ethan said with a smile. "We're currently in talks about his new contract. He's an important part of our long-term plans."
Reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals clearly put him in a good mood. His responses were calm, assured, and full of belief in his team.
"We controlled the match from the start," he explained. "Manchester City are a top side, but we came into this with a clear strategy tailored to exploit their weaknesses—and it worked. Once we scored the first goal, we took control. They pushed forward to equalize, and we hit them on the counter where they're vulnerable. Four-nil might look like a shock, but the win itself wasn't. I predicted a 2–0 or 2–1 result before the match."
Then, with total conviction, he added, "This wasn't an upset. My team has the quality to beat anyone!"
The British reporters weren't exactly buying it—at least not openly. Many smirked or rolled their eyes, thinking this Chinese coach was getting ahead of himself. But they couldn't argue with the scoreline. Beating Manchester City 4–0 speaks louder than words.
They'd bide their time, waiting for Luton to slip up before revisiting Ethan's bold statements. But Ethan had no intention of giving them that satisfaction.
In football, after all, only victory is eternal.