Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography

Book Review: Alex Ferguson’s brilliant account of team management documents Manchester United’s journey to the top of their game, worldwide, while he managed scores, if not hundreds of players over a 26-year period. Although Ferguson’s My Autobiography does not directly lay out strategy or tactics per se—indeed he seems to focus much more on the individuals, their skills and behavior—there is no requirement to be a soccer “expert” in order to follow his book. Since Ferguson discusses many personalities, including key players, staff and competitors in varying levels of detail it is useful to have some a priori knowledge on most characters in order to fully enjoy his work. As he is not, by vocation, a writer I assume Ferguson had a ghostwriter do some of the heavy lifting in the manuscript; however, it is hard to tell and his “meat-and-two-veg” esthetic seems entirely appropriate and is undoubtedly reflective of his no-nonsense management style. For example, had Stephen Fry assisted with the prose we might expect to find mythological descriptions of Ronaldo akin to the sensitive Apollo, the younger Rooney as violent Ares, all under the custodianship of Sir Alex Zeus Ferguson. But that is not the case and Ferguson’s chapters read easily, flow well and can be consumed in any order, which is useful if you have a particular interest in some players over others. While I am an ardent fan of captivating competitive football, I make no claim to expertise in game strategy or tactics; however, I was struck by some relatable comparisons stemming from Ferguson’s work to the business world. In particular, I thought of Jim Collins, who spent over fifteen years conducting extensive research culminating in several books on corporate performance. His books include Built to Last (1994), Good to Great (2001), How the Mighty Fall (2009), and Great by Choice (2011). Each of these volumes can be considered incrementally in describing Collins’ general approach to 1) identify successful companies, 2) assess traits leading to their success, and then 3) ascertaining and categorizing leadership qualities exhibited within those companies. Successful companies are relatively easy to pinpoint, as are successful football teams. Instead of winning most games and collecting silverware, businesses significantly outperform their competitors over a protracted period of time leading to over-performance in the stock market. One of the directly analogous traits is the team; as Collins’ puts it, get the right team on the bus and the wrong folks off the bus. Undeniably, great soccer is the result of great teamwork. The regular long-distance Fergie bus service offered only two planned stops—mid-journey for transfers and the terminus. However, there were some unplanned breaks along the way to drop off unruly passengers (e.g., Roy Keane). A connecting stop for transfers to another service is inevitable as no manager can prevent the truly gifted from leaving (e.g., Ronaldo and Beckham), while the most loyal remain seated all the way to the destination (e.g., Scholes and Giggs). Which brings me to the subject and substance of loyalty. Ferguson wrote extensively about player talent, skills, experience and loyalty. While he did not prioritize, one was left feeling that he valued allegiance and faithfulness above all else and his shining examples were Giggs and Scholes. Those who left did so for the next personal challenge and presumably for financial recognition of their contributions to success, while those who stayed were loyal. In business, loyalty is an admirable yet elusive attribute. Skeptics will say that there is no such thing as loyalty, where in practice it does exist—though seldom. Employer loyalty programs for the most part simultaneously reward and penalize. By providing continuance incentives, employers tend to make it difficult and impractical for employees to quit at their convenience (e.g., end of year bonus, retirement benefit vesting and matching dates, and so on). This also applies to our partaking of ubiquitous travel rewards programs—continue with our spending allegiance and reap the benefits, or commit treason and lose them all. While Giggs’ and Scholes’ loyalty is warmly commendable, some of us are curious as to their potential ultimate achievements had they gotten off the bus earlier. Like any autobiography this one starts in the early years of the subject’s life including where he grew up, and it goes on to say various nice things about his wife, but the hard-core football fan can skip all that fluff. Overall, a highly recommended book not just for Man U supporters but also for fans of top class soccer players and those seeking a privileged insight into the nitty-gritty wheelings and dealings of club transfers and acquisitions. For those interested in further critical unbiased analysis of the English Premier League, you are advised to take a Hackney taxicab from London’s Liverpool St. Station. After, “so where you from, guvnor?” and “you ‘ere just for ‘oliday or bizniss guv?” tell the driver, in a heavy touristy accent, that you are in town for the Chelsea game. The ostensibly easy-going charioteer will then go on to provide a complete rundown on the main London clubs, both Manchester clubs, and quite possibly, Crystal Palace. You will then be systematically tested on your detailed football knowledge, faulted and mocked accordingly.

I probably did a serious mistake by reading this book first instead of the "Old Testament"--there are two autobiographies of Sir Alex: "Managing My Life" and "My Autobiography". This book is clearly a sequel to complete the first book, and you may find yourself a tad disoriented without reading the first. Do not expect to find the story of the 1998/1999 famous European Treble. It is in the "Old Testament". This is the "New Testament", in the instance of stories from after the Treble. The book is divided into topics, and they are not told chronologically. There are special chapters about things from Rio Ferdinand, Liverpool, to the 2007/2008 UEFA Champions League Final in Moscow. It is a very interesting reading, even more if you are a Manchester United fan, used to see him in 26 years of his tenure. Many of the anecdotes are interesting, and will certainly complete any knowledge you have about the Red Devils and the work of this outstanding manager. You will love the stories that he tells throughout the book, and more importantly, I think you will certainly learn a lot from him in leadership, managing people, and more. The book can also be confusing at times, though. The way it is written, sometimes the content of a chapter may well be distracted than the title it intends to tell. It is as if he is chatting with you, and while he is telling a story of something, suddenly he finds some sort of connection to something else, and the story gets distracted. Not the biggest pain, but can be confusing. I find the "Managing My Life" to be tidier in writing. At the end, I get the feeling of wanting more from Sir Alex. Wanting to know more and more stories. Not that there are a little things that he does cover. P.S.: This is the "updated" version of his autobiography, with additional chapters telling about post-retirement life and the thing with David Moyes.

You actually feel like you are right in a comfy chair inside Alex Ferguson's warm living room with a beautiful fireplace. If you pay attention you can see why he is the coach he is and why he makes the decisions he does. What a magnificent man and a magnificent book. This year we are also learning a lot by him not being in charge and what happens when a man of terrifically high standards and supreme confidence does to a team. Manchester United is practically the same team but just with a different leader at the helm. If you erased his name and took his record and cut it in half you would still have the record of the greatest coaching career that has existed. A very interesting point to the book was how unprofessional Roy Keane had become by letting his position as captain get a way from him, he became extremely disrespectful to the coach, the players and the club. I thought all along he was a total professional, but you find out he was a spoiled brat. Alex Ferguson should have benched him and told him to shut up and use the bench as a tool to control this great player who spiraling out of control. An incredible read from a man who writes to you as if you are his closest friend.

Lets be honest, I am a Manchester United fan, so while I may mock the Scots as a general pastime, I would never dare that with Sir Alex. It is a genuinely good read, I do hope to pick up his other book. That is about as unbiased as I can muster. Still, good lessons and insight into another era of what leadership and sports meant, and from a cultural value and system that isn't dogged by the same short term commercialism of the major US sports. Which is ironic since, much of the experience comes from being in charge of one of if not the largest and most recognized teams in the world (world champion actually means something other than playing a few teams in Canada).

جيد

Amazing book

I say forgettable because when I received the email to review this I cast my mind back and realised there wasn't too much that has stuck in my mind since I read it a while back. Having said that I enjoyed the fact that his book gave a glimpse into specific situations that most people wouldn't think being a manager entails. The nitty gritty details such as analysing potential players to the point where you point out their specific running style & whether or not that may lead to potential future health issues. If you've read the book, you know who I'm referring to. I personally think comments he made about two players are both said out of spite. Isn't that what makes Fergie's opinions interesting reading, though? A great man but also a petty man, which is certainly good for a laugh.

A mi hijo le ENCANTÓ el libro, me dio gusto que pidiera ese regalo por su graduación.

The only time I've been to a game at Old Trafford was in 1976. The supporters were not happy because the team was not doing very well. They were understandably irate because, "this is the greatest club in the world and we expect success". That is precisely the view of Sir Alex Ferguson. And with his record of achievement it is difficult not to admire him. So I treated myself to this acclaimed book. It's (ghost) written in a relaxed, informal style, with no foul language and little football-speak. He handles the technical side of management, and of the game, in a clear, understandable way. It is perhaps a little anodyne. He states that as a manager he was not in the business of openly criticising his players (though he was a strict disciplinarian) and he continues with this approach. His reservations about Mark Bosnich are unlikely to be challenged and the Van Nistelrooy saga is well known. And when it comes to Roy Keane, Sir Alex had little option but to outline the difficulties. (I have now bought Mr Keane's book The Second Half and am looking forward to reading it). There are some interesting insights. Whilst the media and many in the football world are keen to encourage more home grown talent, Sir Alex argues for more freedom for top clubs to get work permits for non-EU players. And on another issue, I was interested that the Manchester United management takes a very dim view of players diving. Off the pitch I don't think I'd realised what an interesting man he is. I'm thinking of his political views and contacts with politicians; his reading; his interests in wine and racing; and an admirably settled family life. Incidentally the end of the book, I think the final twenty per cent, is full of statistics. That's the sort of thing I enjoy browsing, but that is not easy in the Kindle format. All in all, this is a portrait of an admirable man. He is not without flaws (eg his disciplinary record), but he has a has achieved more than virtually anyone else in football; he is cultured and well read; a family man; and well able to hold his own at Harvard. Most impressive.