Product Description

From Ron Atkinson's chunky gold jewellery and Brian Clough's acerbic tongue to Sir Alex's hairdryer and the Jose Mourinho's Matalan coat, this is the first book to celebrate everything connected with being a football manager. This light-hearted gift book will explore the many aspects of being 'The Gaffer' from dressing room approach, football philosophy through to their dress sense, charisma, fearsome feuds and cutting wit.Packed with classic quotes, fascinating biographies, hilarious stories, exclusive contributions and fun photography, "Football Managers: The Lives and Half-times profiles over 50 of the most famous as well as notorious managers to have ever taken charge of a professional football team. "Football Managers" features amongst others: 'The Greats' - Bill Shankly, Brian Clough, Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alf Ramsey and Herbert Chapman; 'The Characters' - Ron Atkinson, Kevin Keegan, Harry Redknapp and Terry Venables; and, 'The Infamous' - Don Revie, Neil Warnock and John Beck. Football management is considered as one of the toughest jobs in the world and this is the long overdue celebration of the man in the dugout.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #111934 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

About the Author
Ian Valentine is a highly respected writer who regularly contributes to GQ, Conde Nast and The Shooting Times. He is an avid follower of football and happily admits to finding watching the manager on the touchline just as fascinating as any play on the pitch. He lives in Oxon, Oxfordshire.

Customer Reviews

Get this book!
I got this as a present and immediately thought it was going to be another list covering the well known faces and characters in football, much of which we all know already. I was pleasantly surprised to find that although the familiar are covered (along with the odd fact you didn't know), there are also a lot of more interesting and lesser known characters. Cambridge United's John Beck springs to mind, allegedly responsible for weeing in the opposition's tea amongst other shenanigans.
Oh - it's full of picture of managers when they were about 25 years younger. Nice. Harry R hasn't really changed though.
The only reason it gets four stars is that I don't really know where to go after I've given a book five. Definitely one for the birthday/Christmas list.

A must for any football fan!
This book is great fun and informative. It describes the lives and careers of managers, both famous with lesser known, in a witty style. Providing detail of those who have entertained us in football over the years with their successes, it's packed full of amusing anecdotes, fascinating quotations and pictures. It's a must for any football fan you know!

Great fun!
I first noticed this book as the design seemed reminiscent of an old favourite of mine called "Footballer's Haircuts" and on arrival "Football Managers - The Lives And Half Times" proved to be equally hilarious and entertaining. The design is great, and the pictures and quotes tell you all you need to know about the managerial characters that have illuminated our national game over the years. If you're into the wider culture of football, rather than just the same old lists of great players or teams, this book is perfect for you as it manages to be both informative and fun.