Toy boxes, second-hand boots and foreign holidays
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There are many football fans who would turn their noses up at the idea of reading a book about the manager of another club, particularly, Manchester United's boss. They would be wrong to do so. Managing My Life, instead of merely retelling the all too familiar story of Manchester United's ascendancy to the top of English football under Alex Ferguson's stewardship, charts the full span of his interesting, occasionally tumultous, life and career; from his rough and tumble childhood in Glasgow's Govan through to the ups-and-downs of the 1999 Champions League Final. Indeed, we are given glimpses of aspects of Ferguson's personality hitherto subdued or obscured in his many media appearances. His almost child-like innocence and glee about being selected for the Scottish international team's world tour in the summer of 1967 shows that vividly. Detailing the itinerary, which included Israel, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Canada he notes that he had "never been further than Spain, but the Govan boy was ready for the faraway places with strange-sounding names". In his description of his troubled times, as a player, with his boyhood heroes Glasgow Rangers, a suggestion of vulnerability and self-doubt creeps into his words. Pointedly, he remarks that in his forty years in professional football no experience had "created a scar comparable with that left by the treatment I received at Ibrox".
That is not to suggest that with this autobiography Ferguson has grown soft, sensitive and likable. Many of his reflections show why he is respected and admired rather than loved and adored. He derides his one-time player Paul Ince's desire to be called by the tag of the `Guvnor' as "nonsense [which] should have been left in his toy box", despite recognising that it was just a mask for the player's insecurity. Aberdeen player Gordon Strachan's statement in the 1983-84 season that he was bored and intended to quit the club was met with the plain, uncomplicated 'advice' to "Go and get yourself unbored". In many of the more bullish statements on subjects he is reminiscent of managers of a bygone age, like, Bill Shankly and Brian Clough; individuals who are willing to say what they feel and believe without regard for the consequence or affect their words will have. Ferguson's comments about his eight successful years at Aberdeen, where he picked up the League, Scottish Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup with Aberdeen, indicate that clearly. Boldly, he declares in a statement which may come across as heresy to followers of Manchester United that, "no matter how well things go at Old Trafford it will be difficult to surpass the satisfaction of turning a provincial club... into the benchmark of quality in the Scottish game".
Alex Ferguson's choice of Hugh McIlvanney, his friend and fellow Scot, as a ghost-writer for this forthright autobiography is as shrewd as any manoeuvre he has made in the transfer market. The highly-acclaimed sportswriter has brought structure, coherence and a touch of linguistic flair to this (successful) attempt to explain how Ferguson went from a childhood where he had to wait for a neighbour to give him second-hand boots so that he could turn out for his street team to becoming a knight of the realm.
As with all autobiographies there is an element of hubris in Ferguson's recollections upon matches, events and his actions. Those who are looking for a critical, dissenting voice, therefore, may wish to consider political journalist Michael Crick's well-researched, unauthorised biography The Boss: The Many Sides of Alex Ferguson [2003].
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Takes tedium to a whole new level
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Even by the standards of football autobiography this is very dull. There is nothing juicy or interesting here. I expected Ferguson to be a bit more of a feisty character: instead of which he's just dull. You won't get any insights into management technique or any behind the scenes stories here.
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Great Book About a Great Manager
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Despite not being an avid supporter of Manchester United I have always been very keen to have an insight into the life and times of club's greatest ever manager.
The book clearly portrays the great mans early days and his tough upbringing in Govan, Glasgow. Uniquely, in a city which had major religous differences Alex's parents were from a mixed marriage. We get a great insight into Alex's early footballing life and the tough times that his family endured in surviving.
A fascinating discussion about Alex Ferguson's time as a player were amongst other clubs represented Glasgow Rangers. Even as a player we could to realize that he had a volatile temperament which would continue to serve him as a natural football leader.
From success at the unfashionable Aberdeen football Club to the pressures of managing one of the biggest sports clubs in the world Alex remains how much his childhood upbringing continues to be a major backbone of his life.
A truly great read into the one of soccers most respected characters.
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Read Between The Lines
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There is a genre of British autobiographies you could call "man from tough working class background makes good". To begin with I was frightened that Alex Ferguson had placed his own autobiography so firmly in this genre that it would contain little of any value. However, as you get into it, and as long as you have your 'between the lines' head on, it has quite a lot to offer. From a footballing point of view I became more into it once it reached an era I could remember (late sixties). Particularly fascinating is the effect senior school had on Alex, due to his being older than his peers. I find myself wondering if this was a major influence in forming the aggression, expectation of extreme loyalty, and paternalism that are clearly major parts of his make-up, and so common in successful leaders. I am now thinking of reading Michael Crick's book, although, despite Alex's obvious attempts to hide much about himself, I think most comes through if you look for it.
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What Makes Him Tick
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A lot of people myself included do not know of Alex Fergusons early beginnings. It was interesting to read how he started at the bottom and worked his way up through sheer grit, determination and being able to nurture his players.
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