One of the difficulties associated with operating within an environment whereby intensely close scrutiny comes with the territory is that, when the dust has settled and it’s time to reflect on a lifetime’s endeavour, there’s relatively little left to inform, far less surprise or entertain, when it comes to such musings.
Against that backdrop, Sir Alex Ferguson’s autobiography faced a considerable challenge, and the jury has at best a decision to make in terms of determining whether he has managed to overcome the ‘I’ve heard it all before’ accusation.
The book is undeniably interesting –you can’t manage a club like Manchester United for over a quarter of a century and not have a story or two to tell. However, given the competitive nature within which biographies operate (many footballers, for instance, are on to their third volume before they’re into their thirties), ensuring that this particular offering is being stuffed into many a Christmas stocking in a few weeks’ time may not be so easy after all.
Of course, Ferguson’s name alone will ensure a healthy number of copies are shifted from the shelves. Those who have slavishly followed his career at Old Trafford will certainly enjoy the trip down memory lane. Still, if it’s a new angle on things, together with a dose of controversy that you want (hardly an unusual tactic when it comes to selling such books), then an element of disappointment can be found here.
The vast majority of the book is devoted to the Manchester United years –an earlier volume took care of the humble Glasgow upbringing, days with Rangers, Aberdeen, etc. – so to be fair there’s plenty to cover.
However, little of this is new as it transpires. For instance, we’re told of Roy Keane’s volatile nature, and the ferocious will to win that drove him, before the two men’s relationship broke down. This can hardly have come as shock to anyone with even a modest handle on events at Old Trafford down the years.
Similarly, David Beckham, according to Ferguson, was changed by his penchant and desire to attain celebrity status beyond the football pitch, something that ultimately wearied the United boss. Again, hardly a revelation.
What is rather more informative is the description of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final season at United, when he appears to have lost the plot with his team-mates, especially Cristiano Ronaldo. You are left with the impression that, perhaps surprisingly given he was not known as a man to shy away from controversy, Ferguson did not enjoy straying into such territory. He does advise us that, in his view, Steven Gerrard is short of being ‘a top, top player’ but even then such words are hardly likely to have us feverishly turning the pages for more.
Ferguson regularly returns to more comfortable ground when lauding some of his former players, and in that regard Ronaldo and the likes of Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand receive plaudits aplenty. (On the subject of Ronaldo, Ferguson claims that the young, outrageously talented forward – ‘The best player I ever coached’ – had a tendency to dive in the early days, though the boss managed to knock that habit out of him. Many may find that claim to be highly debatable!).
However, the truly gushing compliments are cast in the direction of two of the so-called Class of ’92 – Ryan Giggs (‘Giggsy’) and Paul Scholes (that’s right, ‘Scholsey’). Those two are clearly loved without condition by Fergie, something that permeates the book from cover to cover.
Prior to the launch of the book, many would possibly have been waiting with bated breath for their inevitable fate at the hands of their nemesis – Arsène Wenger, Josè Mourinho, Liverpool and Manchester City football clubs, referees, the media. Instead, perhaps the most surprising (and disappointing?) aspect of the book is the apparent reluctance of Ferguson to go for the jugular.
Sure, there is the odd jibe for good measure, but largely speaking the blows are cushioned, and, in the case of Wenger in particular, fail to land anywhere close to the target. In fact, the Arsenal manager, in light of his longevity and ability to push United for so many years of Ferguson’s tenure, receives praise which is far from grudging. To be fair, Rafa Benitez doesn’t get off quite as lightly, although he is hardly filleted here either.
The media, we are reliably informed, were kept at arm’s length for the most part, and hacks are acknowledged as being under great stress from their editors to file copy. Many a journalist will fail to recognise this approach from a man who appeared to enjoy regular confrontations with those who dared to criticise his team over the seasons.
And even referees, for whom Ferguson reserved his most volatile temper on occasion, escape relatively lightly here, with the odd compliment thrown in concerning their improved fitness and difficult job. If you believe that, you’ll have no problem accepting his claim that his alleged fondness for mind games wasn’t often planned!
Before signing off with no fewer than forty pages devoted to his record over the 26 years at Old Trafford, Ferguson finds space to tell us that he was twice offered the England job – that he confirms he could never have accepted that post should boost sales in Scotland! – and that, ultimately, the loss of the Premiership title to Manchester City on the last day of the season in 2012 ‘took it all out of me.’
Although Ferguson claims he started writing notes for this book a few years back, it’s hard to escape the feeling that it was all rather rushed through once his retirement had been confirmed. It feels too familiar by far, and if it’s controversy you’re after, you’d be well advised to look elsewhere.
Perhaps Ferguson has finally mellowed after all.