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Sir Alex Ferguson, the fearsome Scot who after 26 years in charge of Manchester United stepped down as manager earlier this year has just released his latest autobiography, simply titled - My Autobiography. We take a look at five books that have all been about the Old Scotsman who many consider to be the greatest Manager in football.
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#5 Football – Bloody Hell!: The Biography of Alex Ferguson
Author: Patrick Barclay
Patrick Barclay, then the Chief Football Correspondent of The Times, published this chronicle about the life of his fellow Scotsman and Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson in 2010. Barclay talked to Ferguson’s fellow managers, his former players, colleagues and commentators for the book and didn’t let his rather unsentimental view on his fellow countryman botch up what is one the best books on Ferguson.
The book took the readers into Ferguson’s life, from his early life in Govan, Scotland through his playing career and his managerial one after that. The Irish Independent Newspaper after reviewing the book stated “Barclay has written a wonderful book. Football — Bloody Hell! captures the contradictions and battery-acid sourness of this complex personality just as eloquently as it elucidates his genius.”
Walking in a Fergie Wonderland
#4 Walking in a Fergie Wonderland
Author: Frank Worall
Author and Journalist Frank Worall published his biography on the Old Scot in charge of Manchester United a few months United won their 12th EPL title under Ferguson in 2011. The beautifully researched book is full of insider anecdotes and was described by The Mail on Sunday as
“An epic biography charting the unstoppable rise of the Premier League’s longest-serving and most successful manager ever: Sir Alex Ferguson, who’s been in charge at Manchester United for an amazing 24 years. This is probably the best book ever on Fergie.”
This Is the One: Sir Alex Ferguson: The Uncut Story of a Football Genius
#3 This Is the One: Sir Alex Ferguson: The Uncut Story of a Football Genius
Author: Daniel Taylor
Written by the Guardian’s man in Manchester at that time – Daniel Taylor, This Is the One chronicled Ferguson’s time during the time when his career at Manchester United was at its lowest ebb – the 2005-06 season. With the club coming under new ownership (the Glazers) and Roy Keane leaving United, there were calls for Ferguson’s removal as the team had not won the EPL in 2 years(courtesy the Invincibles of Arsenal and the arrival of Jose Mourinho).
The book chronicled another difficult season which saw the club go through a major transition. The book then covers the 2006-07 season which saw the Scotsman’s side bounce back in style and depose Chelsea at the top. This Is the One showcases bot the mean side of Fergie(Hairdryer) as well as his more humane, softer side as he led his side through the excruciating lows and the exhilarating highs.
Managing My Life: The Autobiography
#2 Managing My Life: The Autobiography
Author: Sir Alex Ferguson
The Boss’s first autobiography was published in 2000 and chronicled his life up-till that famous treble winning year of 1999. The book opens up with Ferguson describing that famous year which saw him winning the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League as well as getting honoured with a knighthood by the Queen.
Ferguson reveals the details about his life – his upbringing in Govan(now a part of Glasgow), Scotland, his shipbuilding background( something he credited for his approach as a manager) as well as his time as a player and his transition to the managerial side. Ferguson also revealed the secret for his success – family support and an absolute passion for winning.
The Mail on Sunday in their review stated ‘Ferguson emerges from this account as a genuine national hero, one of the great Scots of the 20th century.’
#1 My Autobiography
Author: Sir Alex Ferguson
The latest and probably the most controversial book about Ferguson till date. Sir Alex who stepped down at the end of last season, continues on from his previous autobiography Managing My Life: The Autobiography.
The tell all book reveals what he thought about his players – he tears into Roy Keane, tells about his fallout with David Beckham. He talks about his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo as well well as Wayne Rooney wanting him to sign Mesut Ozil. He also tears into Liverpool, for their handling of the Suarez race row, blasted their former manager ‘Mr Fact’ Rafa Benitez, and has also labelled Liverpool and England’s captain Steven Gerrard and Chelsea’s top scorer Frank Lampard as not good enough to be top players. Ferguson also talks about Arsene Wenger’s reaction to his £22 million swoop for Robin Van Persie.
Ferguson also talks about his relationship with the current owners of the club but barely covers his fallout with the previous owners John Magnier and JP McManus with whom he was involved in a rather dispute about the racehorse ‘The Rock of Gibraltar.’
