Product Description

When Manchester United deposed Chelsea as Premiership champions at the end of the 2006-07 season Sir Alex Ferguson described it as the 'greatest achievement' of his twenty years in charge. A year earlier his managerial career had reached its nadir amid speculation he would be forced out of Old Trafford. He was taken to the limit over the Roy Keane scandal, his volatile relationship with the media, the political fallout of Malcolm Glazer's takeover and a miserable six-month run in which the team were humbled in Europe, embarrassed by the Conference side Burton Albion and barracked by their own fans. Ferguson, it is claimed, came close to quitting. But the great man has used his inimitable managing skills and bloody-minded determination to turn it around yet again and remind everyone he is still the most formidable manager in the business.Written over the course of two hugely eventful, diverse and controversial seasons, "This Is The One" offers a unique, warts-and-all portrait of Ferguson from a privileged behind-the-scenes position. As a football writer for the (italics) "Guardian", Daniel Taylor has been there from day one and seen every side of Ferguson, from the flint-faced authoritarian to the kind, quick-witted man with the heart the size of the Old Trafford trophy room. Entertaining, revelatory, sometimes shocking but always affectionate, this is the close-up look at one of the most talked-about figures in sport, in good times and bad, and culminating in the glory of his ninth title win.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #210017 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 343 pages

The Observer Sport Monthly, 02/07/2007
`Taylor offers a fine account of this fascinating period in [Ferguson's] career'

Customer Reviews

This is the one: Sir Alex Ferguson- the uncut story of a football genius by Daniel Taylor
I never expected a book related to football to be so amusing, but "This is the one" really is. It's not just entertaining but intensely informative, with the engaging additional fact that it written from the football journalist's point of view, which I found fascinating. Daniel Taylor certainly knows his stuff, but so much more importantly than that, he knows how to deliver it to his readers. By the end of the book I almost felt as if I knew Sir Alex Ferguson, moreover, although Daniel Taylor does not shirk from describing him "warts and all", his portrayal of the man shows a genuine affection for him which inspires affection in the reader too.

Behind the Scenes
A great insight into how Ferguson operates his regime of alternating fear and fun.Daniel Taylor provides a unique dairy with Sir Alex at Manchester United press conferences; a world completely new to an ordinary punter like me who simply helps to fund the Maseratis of the star players. A good read at a good price from Amazon.
A book which you can pick up at spare moments, enjoy, have a belly laugh and return to later in the day.

Unique view of Fergie
Yes, I'm a United supporter, so get that negative vote in if that floats your boat.
This is a view of Fergie over two seasons from the viewpoint of a press pack journalist. The view presented is mainly that of a man at press conferences and the struggle to get a man who does not trust the press to open up. Fergie is a complex individual who blows hot and cold, but this book is told in an honest and respectful manner.
The two seasons picked are interesting too, one where Fergie made a number of mistakes and the club was in transition and then the following one where it all came together and United got past Chelsea back to the top of the Premiership.
We are given glimpses of the players but only to put into context the mood of the club and how Fergie reflects it back.
Working with Fergie must be a challenge but this demonstrates the will and the drive of the man, and the power he holds within United.
Very interesting and showed me more of United's manager then I have ever seen before. Recommended.