Game Changers: Inside English Football: From the Boardroom to the Bootroom

by Alan Curbishley

Overview

Alan Curbishley has spent a lifetime in football both as a fan, player and manager.

In his forty years, he has seen the game he loves change beyond all recognition. The money, the media, the celebrity culture, the agents – when Curbishley began his playing career in 1975, no one could have foreseen a future in which television rights sold for £10 billion.

Through incredible access to the biggest names in the game, he takes a look at the modern game in all its guises, from the chairmen and chief executives at the very top to managers and players and all the way to the fans and ground staff. On the way, we hear from an eclectic and colourful cast of characters and some true legends of the sport, old and new: Arsène Wenger, Stevie Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Harry Redknapp, Harry Kane.

This is a truly unique football book, written by one of the most respected and well-connected men in the sport. Never before has such an array of talent been collected within the pages of one book – it will spark discussion, enliven arguments and throw fire onto the debate: as the game changes, does it change for the better?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780008158163
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	08/11/2016
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishers
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

ALAN CURBISHLEY began his career in professional football as a player with West Ham United in the mid 1970’s. He went on to play for Birmingham, Aston Villa, Charlton and Brighton. In 1991 he moved into management with Charlton, guiding them to two promotions and establishing them in the Premier League during his 15 years in charge. After leaving Charlton in 2006 he became West Ham manager, saving the club from what looked like certain relegation before leaving them in 2008. He is now a regular contributor to various TV and radio football shows, both in the UK and abroad.

KEVIN BRENNAN who collaborated with Alan Curbishley on this book is a freelance writer. He has known him for almost 30 years and written a number of books, including collaborations former footballer John McGovern, snooker player Willie Thorne, actor William Roache and transgender former boxing manager and promoter, Kellie Maloney. Kevin also collaborated with Alan on a previous book, Valley Of Dreams, which charted his time with Charlton Athletic.

Alan Curbishley was born in the East End of London in 1957. His playing career spanned West Ham, Birmingham City, Aston Villa, Brighton and Charlton, and he represented England at schoolboy, youth and Under-21 level. He was appointed joint manager of Charlton in 1991 and was given sole control four years later. He was voted Manager of the Year in 2000 and established Charlton as a leading Premiership side, before leaving in 2006.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

1 Manager Sir Alex Ferguson Arsène Wenger Harry Redknapp Chris Powell 5

2 Player Harry Kane Mark Noble 39

3 Legend Rio Ferdinand Steven Gerrard Frank Lampard 61

4 Retirement Jamie Carragher Ryan Giggs 107

5 Youth Jón Thorsteinsson 125

6 Assistant Manager/Coach Ray Lewington 135

7 Agent Jonathan Barnett 147

8 Chief Executive Phil Alexander 157

9 Backroom Wayne Diesel Nick Davies Steve Rigby Mark Maunders 169

10 FA Greg Dyke 195

11 Media Jonathan Pearce Nick Moody Andy Cairns 205

12 International Roy Hodgson Chris Coleman 223

13 Fan Ray Winstone 239

14 Referee Mark Halsey 249

15 Executive Director of Football Les Reed 261

16 Associations Bobby Barnes Richard Bevan 277

17 Owner David Sullivan 297

Acknowledgements 309