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El Macca: Four Years with Real Madrid. Steve McManaman and Sarah Edworthy
When Steve McManaman joined Real Madrid in 1999 he was, according to his former manager, 'the first of Los Galacticos' -- the nickname given to the increasingly starry line-up at the premier Spanish team. Soon the ex-Liverpool star was playing alongside Ronaldo, Figo, Zidane and Beckham. It was an astonishing turnaround for a club that had been struggling to live up to its enormous reputation, and Steve was there to witness the most intense and interesting period of its development -- winning the league and two European Cups along the way. Written with the DAILY TELEGRAPH's Sarah Edworthy, who contributes her own insights through original interviews with the key players at Madrid, EL MACCA is not just a highly entertaining memoir of four years at the biggest club in Europe. Thoughtful and candid, it is also a fascinating insight into the process of playing -- and succeeding -- overseas.
326 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 31, 2007
great look inside the world's greatest football club. loved this book.
August 5, 2011
excellent!
August 29, 2012
Wonderful!!!
December 28, 2013
Nice insights into playing for England under Glenn Hoddle. McManaman certainly didn't get on with Le Hod.
April 7, 2021
As a naive, yet impassioned 16 year old Liverpool supporter, I found myself gutted when Steve McManaman (our homegrown superstar) announced that he was leaving Anfield to play for Real Madrid in 1999. With the benefit of hindsight, I understand Macca's decision more clearly. Liverpool did not afford their prize asset the contract that his consistent excellence deserved and under new manager Gerard Houllier, Liverpool were moving in a different, more measured and methodical direction. In retrospect, a parting of the ways worked out well for both parties.
'El Macca' charts the four years that McManaman spent with Real Madrid. Real are unquestionably one of the world's biggest and most decorated clubs and the four years that McManaman spent with Real saw the club move into a new 'galactico' phase under the presidency of Florentino Perez. During this period, Madrid became akin to a Harlem Globetrotters franchise adding world superstars such as Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham to a squad that had already won the Champions League in Macca's first season with McManaman scoring one of Madrid's three goals in their victory over Valencia.
The book provides a fascinating insight into the life of an English player abroad and also into the inner workings of a superclub. McManaman was unquestionably a success at Real, indeed his spell with the club saw him heralded as one of English football's most successful exports. Yet, after the arrival of Figo, he was never a guaranteed starter. The Madridistas were endeared towards his unselfishness and his work ethic, coupled with his immense technical ability and flexibility as a player. McManaman revolutionised his game with Madrid, shifting from a roaming dribbler to a more dependable fetch and carry midfielder. What is remarkable is how an Englishman playing for the Champions League winners was ignored by the England manager, Sven Goran Erikkson for the World Cup of 2002. McManaman comes across as a diligent, likeable individual, his teammates are effusive in their praise for him. They also question why he was not used more by England.
'El Macca' is an excellent book, well worth reading. It provides a fantastic overview of the galactico era Real and is a hugely enjoyable read.
'El Macca' charts the four years that McManaman spent with Real Madrid. Real are unquestionably one of the world's biggest and most decorated clubs and the four years that McManaman spent with Real saw the club move into a new 'galactico' phase under the presidency of Florentino Perez. During this period, Madrid became akin to a Harlem Globetrotters franchise adding world superstars such as Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham to a squad that had already won the Champions League in Macca's first season with McManaman scoring one of Madrid's three goals in their victory over Valencia.
The book provides a fascinating insight into the life of an English player abroad and also into the inner workings of a superclub. McManaman was unquestionably a success at Real, indeed his spell with the club saw him heralded as one of English football's most successful exports. Yet, after the arrival of Figo, he was never a guaranteed starter. The Madridistas were endeared towards his unselfishness and his work ethic, coupled with his immense technical ability and flexibility as a player. McManaman revolutionised his game with Madrid, shifting from a roaming dribbler to a more dependable fetch and carry midfielder. What is remarkable is how an Englishman playing for the Champions League winners was ignored by the England manager, Sven Goran Erikkson for the World Cup of 2002. McManaman comes across as a diligent, likeable individual, his teammates are effusive in their praise for him. They also question why he was not used more by England.
'El Macca' is an excellent book, well worth reading. It provides a fantastic overview of the galactico era Real and is a hugely enjoyable read.
April 25, 2022
Little did Steve McManaman know during his days as a Liverpool FC star that one day he would he would play alongside the “Galacticos” of Real Madrid. He quickly became a fan favorite and won the respect of his teammates. As they used to say in bygone days, “and here is his story”.
April 7, 2022
Details what it's like to train, play and represent for Real Madrid.
May 4, 2020
Illuminating on the phenomena of David Beckham and the 'galactico' era of Real Madrid. A great storyteller.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews