The Reluctant Manager: An English teacher finds himself running a bizarre language school in the Gulf

by James Budd

Edward Holdsworth only ever wanted a peaceful existence as a language teacher. Yet when a crisis forces him to become manager of a quirky language school in the little Gulf state of Khajal, his comfortable life is turned upside down. Suddenly faced with half-baked teachers, arrogant landlords, baffling local laws, and a dubious boss in London, Edward realises he’s landed in a whirlwind of chaos he never expected—or wanted.

Set mostly in the 1970s, this witty and warmly told tale follows Edward’s reluctant step into authority, where every solution seems to spark a fresh dilemma. From brushes with the police to last-minute escapes from financial ruin, Edward’s misadventures paint a colourful portrait of a rapidly changing Khajal, both then and now.

In a world caught between tradition and modernisation, can a mild-mannered teacher navigate the perils of management—or are all of his worst nightmares about to come true?

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2025

Reviews

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly charming, compelling and entertaining collected account of one man's experience teaching English in the post-independence transition period of the 1970s Gulf. Perceptive, personable and peculiar in equal measure, the narrator and his accounts depict a vibrant world of educational hijinks, expat oddballs and dodgy dealers. Highly recommend.

[Rollo Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lighthearted and affectionate saunter down memory lane will appeal to any arm-chair traveller with an interest in the Middle East, but it will appeal especially to former expats who worked in the Arabian Gulf during the later decades of the 20th century and are nostalgic both for its quirky charm and for the welcoming warmth of its people. Readers will enjoy with just a touch of schadenfreude the vicissitudes of an inexperienced expat struggling with the apparently incomprehensible ways of the locals while finding his feet as the unwilling manager of a motley collection of Brits who must have seemed as bizarre to the locals as the latter sometimes seemed to the author. For this reader, with his own memories of the dramas, cultural clashes and delights of living as a British expat in Qatar, the book brings back many happy and amusing memories, though it must be said that the author never specifies which of the Gulf states inspired this clearly autobiographical novel.

[Mark Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a masterclass in storytelling! Through witty narration and vibrant detail, the author paints a vivid picture of Khajal and the whirlwind world of expat life. Edward’s struggles with eccentric teachers, puzzling rules, and financial chaos make for endless entertainment. I laughed, cringed, and rooted for him all the way. It’s smart, funny, and surprisingly heartwarming. If you’ve ever dreamed of adventure or dreaded responsibility you’ll love this!

[Helen Kirkbride · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book tremendously. I couldn’t put it down and was completely drawn in by the quirky characters, unexpected and unusual events, and the wry humour. After all it is set in the fabulous Middle East where anything can happen!