Shadow of the Knight: Football’s Life After Sir Alex Ferguson by Paul Smith is the definitive history of everything Sir Alex. From an illustrious playing career to becoming the greatest club manager of all-time, this book covers every step of his life. You will find information in this text that is available nowhere else. That makes it a must for all Manchester United supporters.
What makes this text different is is the focus on Ferguson’s man-management style, something that has numerous people mentioned as his successor at Man U. No one questions the greatness of Sir Alex, but there are real questions about his potential replacements. It is arguably the best job in all of world football and arguably Sir Alex is irreplaceable, but it is something the Red Devil faithful will have to deal with at some point. Just like the Americans dealt with replacing George Washington, Man U will have an equally difficult time replacing their esteemed leader.
Quite a few lessons were learned with this book. First, Ferguson was a man-manager who always knew his role, “the boss is the boss with no grey areas.” Those that bought into this found themselves on a fast track to success, while those who just didn’t get it ended up finding themselves on a road trip out of Manchester.
We are talking about a manager that will be known for his longevity and success. Success over the decades and an accumulation of hardware is hard to argue with. Sir Alex’s enthusiasm for the game is the same as when he was 20; not many can say that after such a lengthy career. And he isn’t even done yet.
One of the quotes that stuck with me came from Ferguson’s early days as a coach: “Stand up, be counted, and demonstrate your desire.” This ideal worked in the lower leagues of Scotland and the highest level of international football. It is certainly something Ferguson and his players show on an everyday basis.
So the big question remains: who will replace Sir Alex? Will it be a former player or a former assistant? Carlos Queiroz or Steve McClaren? Gary Neville or Paul Scholes? Ryan Giggs or Pep Guardiola? Read the book to hear some great insight into what will be one of world football’s biggest transitions.
