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 reveal the huge contribution that Scottish managers like Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby, Bill Shankly, Jock Stein, Tommy Docherty, Jim McLean, Kenny Dalglish, George Graham, Walter Smith, Gordon Strachan, Alex McLeish and David Moyes, as well as a host of others, have made to the world game.

This clever, original and brilliantly-realised analysis presents a fascinating account of each man, profiling their character and methods, individual strengths and weaknesses, and their impact on club or 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.



With an analysis of the role of mining, heavy industry and politics in producing these tough, natural leaders, witty anecdotes on the great managers’ run-ins with the media, a comprehensive roll of honour showing everything they have won, and an assessment of whether Scotland will continue to produce charismatic and successful bosses in the future, The Management is insightful, measured, revealing and utterly unique.