René Meulensteen: United, Sir Alex & Me

My Life in Football

By: René Meulensteen

Narrated by: Finlay Robertson

Manchester United enjoyed their greatest generation under Sir Alex Ferguson. The rulebook on domestic domination was rewritten as the club became the most successful in British football history.

For the first time, one of Ferguson's closest aides lifts the lid on the inner workings at Carrington, as René Meulensteen, one of the game's greatest minds, shares all the stories and secrets that contributed and illuminated the most glittering managerial era in football history.

Meulensteen's story begins in a provincial region of Holland; a student of the game, René explains how he fought through red tape and bureaucracy to establish himself as a coach with principles he firmly believed in, and how those visionary methods saw him land a remarkable position at the world's biggest club, overseeing the technical development of their most precious department—the youth system.

Meulensteen talks about working with stars like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs, before he was called to work with the first team on a more permanent basis. There, he enjoyed notable contributions, transforming Cristiano Ronaldo into a goal monster and featuring heavily in the move that brought Robin van Persie to Old Trafford. From being Ferguson's right-hand man to going out on his own, Meulensteen explains his philosophy in an inspiring and accessible way.

Moreover, this autobiography is a compelling and addictive love-letter to the fabric of everything Manchester United stands for. The exploration and explanation of United's style of play will thrill supporters and stun analysts, as one of the sport's greatest minds finally shares his fascinating journey in football.

©2023 René Meulensteen (P)2024 W.F.Howes Ltd

Underrated Coach

I enjoyed this book. I have seen every United match I could from the 80s through now. The 2007-08 side was absolute magic. And Meulenstein did as much as anyone to hone their skills, devise the tactics, and improve them session by session.

The narrator performs the book excellently.