Publisher's Synopsis
The manager everyone loves to hate... Mercurial Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho, who regards himself as football's equivalent of George Clooney, featured in his own blockbuster this summer when he took charge of Manchester United - the world's biggest club. The news sent shockwaves through the Old Trafford faithful - generations of whom have pledged their loyalty to a succession of managerial legends including Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson. At the very outset of what promises to be a tumultuous season for the Red Devils, Andrew J Kirby investigates in his latest book Jose Mourinho: The Art of Winning whether the latest controversial move by the club's owners is a marriage made in heaven or hell. Machiavellian schemer, marketing man's dream, inspirational leader and motivator, arrogant "manager-lout," Super Coach. Anti-hero. Serial trophy-winner. Jose Mourinho's personality is a complex one. Jose Mourinho: The Art of Winning is an entertaining character study of the man who in many ways has come to define modern, elite-level football. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo apart, the biggest, most marketable stars in world football today are the managers. The 2016-17 edition of the FA Premier League is being billed as the most exciting yet, and that's not because of the influx of star players after the European Championships in France. Though some eye-catching names have joined the league, none have the cache of a Messi or a Ronaldo. None have the standing of a Jose Mourinho or a Pep Guardiola either. And so it is on the manager's shoulders that the responsibility for delivering the customary Premier League spectacle falls. Incorporating interviews with fans (of United, and of Mourinho's former clubs), players (past and present), commentators and journalists, this book endeavours to determine what effect the Jose Mourinho show will have on Manchester United as a football club and the Premier League as a whole by tackling eight key questions including the following: Is Mourinho the best manager in the game? What is the management approach of Jose Mourinho? Can Manchester United tolerate the dark side of Jose Mourinho? What is the role of the modern day Premier League manager and how has this changed over the years? And: "Once a Blue, always a Red?" Can a manager who is so recognisably a Blue become a Red? Stuffed full of statistical detail and flavoured with a wistful view of a game, he sets the spectacular scene for a showdown of showdowns in this season's Premier League campaign where the ultimate prize for United will be the crucial return to the Champions League. With interviews with football writers, players and fans, this book is a must that every Manchester United fan - and indeed every football supporter - needs to read. Andrew J Kirby's sports-writing has featured in BBC Sport magazine and on the Radio Five Live website. He has held a Manchester United season ticket for over a quarter of a century and regularly follows the Reds across Europe and beyond. His other United books include, Fergie's Finest: Sir Alex Ferguson's First 11, The Pride of All Europe: Manchester United's Greatest Seasons in the European Cup and Louis van Gaal: Dutch Courage. PRAISE FOR FERGIE'S FINEST A must read for any red. Scott the Red, Editor: Republik of Mancunia United Blog The perfect gift for the red devil in your life! Sam Sharp, Manchester United fan Buy it now! Michael Hopkins, Manchester United fan PRAISE FOR THE PRIDE OF ALL EUROPE A very enjoyable trip down memory lane. Goodreads Reviewer The book succeeds in encapsulating the hopes, dreams, disappointments and joys of so many different eras. Manchester United fan review on Amazon PRAISE FOR DUTCH COURAGE Great research and insight make this a supreme football biography. Cool Reviews Excellent insight into this complex character. Nigel Craig, Amazon Reviewer
