Matt Jansen: The Autobiography: What Was, What Is and What Might Have Been

by Matt Jansen, Jon Colman, Jon Coleman (Contributor)

‘What do you do when the world is at your feet . . . and then suddenly it isn’t?

Matt Jansen had it all. He was young, quick, audaciously skilful and, at the turn of the millennium, regarded as one of the most intelligent attacking talents in English football. His potential seemed boundless.

After bursting onto the scene with Carlisle United in 1997 Sir Alex Ferguson tried to lure him to Manchester United – but foreseeing only a bench spot at Old Trafford, Jansen instead opted for Steve Coppell’s Crystal Palace. In 1999, he moved to Blackburn Rovers, and after blasting them back to the Premier League in 2001 and scoring in the 2002 League Cup final victory over Spurs, he was widely tipped to be part of England’s 2002 World Cup squad – but coach Sven-Goran Eriksson had a last-minute change of heart and instead selected Martin Keown.

While England battled it out in the Far East, Jansen took a holiday to Rome. He and his girlfriend were on a moped when they were hit by a taxi. Matt suffered a brain haemorrhage and slipped into a coma for six days.

Jansen survived and, astonishingly, he was back playing for Blackburn just four months later. But while his body may have recovered, his mind had not. In the shadow of the accident, he was unable to recapture the instinctive genius or the bullet-proof self-confidence that had previously defined him.

This was a hidden breakdown – nothing that could be picked up by a fitness test or fixed on an operating table. As Jansen’s career as an elite footballer slipped away from him, he started to discover more about what had happened to him and how he could recover not only as an athlete, but as a person.

With insights from a range of contributors, including Graeme Souness, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sam Allardyce, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Lucy Jansen and Professor Steve Peters, this is the astonishing story of a career destined for the stratosphere, cruelly snatched away by the vagaries of fate. Brilliant, bold, and at times brutal in its honesty, this powerful tale of shattered dreams and a life rebuilt is a testament to an inspiring, unconquered soul.

Genres: Football

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2019

Reviews

[Ian Sarginson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful and honest autobiography of a footballer that is different to the vast majority.
I remember the emergence of Jansen as a player and the numerous times that United were linked with him.
I also remember how I would always sign him on Championship manager.
Another thing I remember is how his career seemed to fall off a cliff.

I now know why. A story of someone living the dream and then how it quickly turns into a nightmare and starts to slip away.
A story of the individual within that footballer and his struggle as well as those struggles of those around him.

A book filled with vulnerability and honesty that creates a powerful story.

[Joanne Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resilience

Another angle to a football life but more importantly an insight into two lives, pre and post injury, confidence, self doubt, recovery, acceptance and the importance of a great partner and family

[Paul Gladwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking. A sad story really as Matt was such a talent...

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for any blackburn fan. Tells the story of how he became a talent and world class player close to international stardom and then in a blink of an eye that all dissapeared . Reading the book helps you understand what he was going through and how his mind was working .

[Ian Gascoigne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent account of a talented successful football professional cut down at the height of his career by a road traffic accident and the emotional and psychological aftermath. A truly recommended read.

[Don Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review to follow

[Glenn Entwistle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with so many great memories as a Rovers fan. Fascinating read about how the mind works differently to the body. Worth a read by any sports fans