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Sir Alex: Simply the Best
A must-listen biography of one of the greatest football managers of all time.
Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, born 31st December 1941, is a former Scottish football player and was manager of Manchester United from 1986 to 2013. During his 26 years in charge of United, he won more trophies than any other manager in the history of football.
Packed with nearly 80 entertaining and exclusive interviews from those who know Ferguson best - friends, colleagues, associates and those who worked with him at both Aberdeen and Manchester United share their unique insight into the innermost secrets of Ferguson’s fascinating life and hugely successful career.
Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, born 31st December 1941, is a former Scottish football player and was manager of Manchester United from 1986 to 2013. During his 26 years in charge of United, he won more trophies than any other manager in the history of football.
Packed with nearly 80 entertaining and exclusive interviews from those who know Ferguson best - friends, colleagues, associates and those who worked with him at both Aberdeen and Manchester United share their unique insight into the innermost secrets of Ferguson’s fascinating life and hugely successful career.
- GenresSports
256 pages, Paperback
Published November 26, 2021
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About the author
Harry Harris
130 books6 followersLibrarian Note:
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There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 2, 2021
Often controversial, sometimes arrogant, intimidating but respected and with the achievements to back it up, Sir Alex Ferguson, known to nearly everyone in the game as The Boss or Gaffer, is widely regarded as one of the best football managers ever. A tough upbringing in one of the roughest parts of Glasgow filled the young Alex Ferguson with determination and a strong work ethic that helped him achieve his unprecedented success at Manchester United that may never be equalled.
A book entitled “Simply The Best” is probably not going to be very critical about its subject, but it’s none the worse for it. Respected football writer Harry Harris errs on the side of caution regarding any unsavoury aspects of Sir Alex’s personality and methods but as an overview to Fergie’s life, “Simply The Best” is a solid and often funny read, and written fully in tribute to Alex Ferguson.
Ex-players share their sometimes comical experiences of being on the receiving end of Fergie’s infamous “hairdryer”. Other footballing legends including “Pizzagate”, the “Tunnel of Hate” incident and Eric Cantona’s gymnastics are all covered. Fergie’s sweeping changes on joining United are explored; ending the drinking culture in the club, bringing in younger players, selling the Man U “brand” worldwide. Much of what he did was controversial at the time but Fergie had the backing of the MU board who gave him the time to turn the failing club around. The plaudits from the book’s contributors are almost entirely glowing and deeply respectful of Ferguson, even after they’ve been on the receiving end of his rage. To many young MU players he was a father figure.
Due to it being very much a collection of anecdotes, the book doesn’t flow very well at times, but it is always interesting and there are nuggets to be found; there is a very revealing chapter on the players who nearly signed for MU, for example. Other chapters examine Ferguson’s love of fine wine and horse racing, and also his dislike of the media and his spats with players and managers such as Kevin Keegan.
It is written without frills and many of the anecdotes are brutally honest and enlightening. We get a vivid picture of the real Alex Ferguson - relentlessly determined, passionate and honest. This isn’t the greatest Alex Ferguson book ever written, and isn’t really for casual readers, but it is recommended for fans of Fergie, Manchester United and football management.
A book entitled “Simply The Best” is probably not going to be very critical about its subject, but it’s none the worse for it. Respected football writer Harry Harris errs on the side of caution regarding any unsavoury aspects of Sir Alex’s personality and methods but as an overview to Fergie’s life, “Simply The Best” is a solid and often funny read, and written fully in tribute to Alex Ferguson.
Ex-players share their sometimes comical experiences of being on the receiving end of Fergie’s infamous “hairdryer”. Other footballing legends including “Pizzagate”, the “Tunnel of Hate” incident and Eric Cantona’s gymnastics are all covered. Fergie’s sweeping changes on joining United are explored; ending the drinking culture in the club, bringing in younger players, selling the Man U “brand” worldwide. Much of what he did was controversial at the time but Fergie had the backing of the MU board who gave him the time to turn the failing club around. The plaudits from the book’s contributors are almost entirely glowing and deeply respectful of Ferguson, even after they’ve been on the receiving end of his rage. To many young MU players he was a father figure.
Due to it being very much a collection of anecdotes, the book doesn’t flow very well at times, but it is always interesting and there are nuggets to be found; there is a very revealing chapter on the players who nearly signed for MU, for example. Other chapters examine Ferguson’s love of fine wine and horse racing, and also his dislike of the media and his spats with players and managers such as Kevin Keegan.
It is written without frills and many of the anecdotes are brutally honest and enlightening. We get a vivid picture of the real Alex Ferguson - relentlessly determined, passionate and honest. This isn’t the greatest Alex Ferguson book ever written, and isn’t really for casual readers, but it is recommended for fans of Fergie, Manchester United and football management.
October 18, 2021
Firstly you don't have to be a Man Utd fan to enjoy this book but you do have to like reading a book full of people's opinions of the great man Sir Alex Ferguson.
Some amusing tales of things that happened to them when in his company some good and some bad.
Was it an outstanding book?No I wouldn't say that but it had its moments and is worth a read if you like the man that is one of our greatest football managers that has ever lived.
Thanks to Netgalley and Ad Lib Publishers for the ARC.
Some amusing tales of things that happened to them when in his company some good and some bad.
Was it an outstanding book?No I wouldn't say that but it had its moments and is worth a read if you like the man that is one of our greatest football managers that has ever lived.
Thanks to Netgalley and Ad Lib Publishers for the ARC.
April 19, 2022
Simply a celebration of Fergie's career in football, concentrating on his time at Old Trafford. He took his time to start making a success with Manchester United, time he would not get nowadays so, fair play to the club for sticking by him. Arguably the greatest manager ever, definitely the greatest manager of his generation. A good read with some top anecdotes.
October 9, 2021
Although it helps if you are a football fan, you don't need to be an Aberdeen 0r Manchester United fan to enjoy this great book about Alex Ferguson. It did feel like you'd read a lot of the info before in various other books/media but it didn't detract from the enjoyment of it.
October 29, 2021
I received this book from the publishers via Netgalley for a review. A must read for football fans. Fergie's biography us well written and informative.
October 2, 2023
Brilliant book very well written,highly recommend this book
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews