Den did it ‘Pep style’ ...in 1976!
DENNIS TUEART would still be running around Wembley now after scoring one of the stadium’s greatest goals – if his Manchester City teammate Asa Hartford hadn’t stopped him.
It’s 45 years since that spectacular overhead kick was the winning goal in the League Cup final against Newcastle United – the club which left Tueart heartbroken after calling time on his Toon dream at the age of 15.
Tueart went on to be a Manchester City director and a huge Pep Guardiola fan. He would love to have played for him too.
Tueart said: “Pep seems to give his players freedom in the final third.
“One of the best pieces of advice I ever had as a player was from our City manager at the time, Tony Book, who told me, ‘Start wide and go where you can, cause some trouble’.
“That is what I needed – and Pep encourages his players to do similar.
“I’ve read both of Pep’s books on the game and also ‘Barca, the making of the greatest team’. So I understand a little bit of his philosophy.
“The beauty of his management is that his teams are always evolving – nothing stays the same.”
That dazzling overhead kick in 1976 from Tueart – a player deemed good enough to replace Pele in the New York Cosmos team – epitomised the freedom Book instilled.
Tueart recalled: “I was fairly fluid as a player and having an instinct for goals I would often get myself into the penalty area.
“Willie Donachie flung a big high ball to the far post where Tommy Booth got his head on it as I raced towards the penalty spot.
“I had gone ahead of the ball but I just took off and connected with an overhead. You’ve got to be brave enough to have a go – because you might end up looking like a clown.
“If Asa hadn’t grabbed hold I might still be running now – I was so elated.”