Pablo Zabaleta assists Albania against England

England fans were surprised to see a Premier League legend on the bench for Albania during their match against England. This game was the first World Cup qualifier for England under new manager Thomas Tuchel. During the pre-game ceremonies, fans noticed Pablo Zabaleta, a former star player for Manchester City, sitting on the Albania bench. He serves as an assistant manager to Sylvinho, who is the head coach. Zabaleta, now 40, joined the Albanian coaching staff in 2023. He helped the team qualify for Euro 2024. Many fans took to social media to express their surprise. One fan tweeted, "Nice to see Pablo Zabaleta." Others commented on the unexpected sight of the former Argentina international, highlighting how assistant managers can be less recognized than head coaches. Zabaleta played for Manchester City for nine years, making 333 appearances and winning several titles. His presence on the Albania bench added an exciting twist to the match for fans.