'an outstanding piece of work . . . utterly compelling' — Scotland on Sunday 'a magisterial study' — The Herald 'inspiring' — The Scotsman 'Scotland's record as a producer of outstanding managers dwarfs that of any other country in the world. This excellent book provides vivid and fascinating insights into that remarkable distinction' — Hugh McIlvanney 'A superb book which examines the contribution Scottish managers have made to the global game' — Scottish Daily Mail 'A book that is already being viewed as a seminal tome' — Daily Record Why has Scotland produced so many of the best football managers in the world? Based on exclusive interviews with the men themselves, their players or close friends and family, Michael Grant and Rob Robertson delve into the very heart of Scottish life, society and football to reveal the huge contribution that managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby, Bill Shankly, Jock Stein, Jim McLean, Kenny Dalglish, Walter Smith and a host of others have made to the world game. This original, brilliantly-realised and critically acclaimed study profiles the character and methods of each of the great Scottish managers, analysing their strengths and weaknesses, and examines their impact on both club and international football. It is a deeply-researched and compelling story which presents new material on many of the greats, particularly Busby and Stein, and highlights the enormous Old Firm contributions of, among others, Willie Maley, Bill Struth and Graeme Souness.
It’s sometimes not about knowing the game, it’s about understanding the intricacies of people. To me, that’s management.
