Fergie: The Lost Tapes

Alex Ferguson – Manchester United’s Greatest Era Retold

Wayne Barton author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Published:24th Sep '26

Should be back in stock very soon

Fergie: The Lost Tapes cover

UNITED’S GREATEST MANAGER – TOLD LIKE NEVER BEFORE

'A treasure trove of insights into the greatest manager of all time' Rob Smyth

'A definitive, unique and painstakingly researched history of an extraordinary era' Ian Herbert, Daily Mail

SIR ALEX FERGUSON – MANCHESTER UNITED’S GREATEST MANAGER – TOLD THROUGH PREVIOUSLY UNHEARD RECORDINGS

For more than two decades, Sir Alex Ferguson defined dominance in world football. Winning thirteen league titles, two European Cups, five FA Cups, four League Cups and one Cup Winners’ Cup, he built one of the most formidable dynasties the sport has ever seen.

Forty years on from his arrival at Manchester United, his extraordinary story is re-examined in a ground-breaking way.

Through 400 hours of exclusive audio archives recorded between 1986 and 2013, Wayne Barton uncovers the authentic voices of Sir Alex Ferguson and the playerswho shared in Manchester United’s golden age. Rich in first-hand testimony, the result is an unparalleled portrait of a managerial genius.

This is Ferguson’s United as it has never been heard before – a definitive intimate and forensic account of the most successful era in football history.

The book includes EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS with Andres Iniésta, Jamie Carragher, Martin Edwards, Rene Meulensteen, Michael Knighton, Paul Parker, Ron Atkinson, Harry Redknapp and more.

As well as RARE RECORDINGS from David Beckham, Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson, Phil Neville, Arsene Wenger, Peter Schmeichel, Jaap Stam, Brian McClair, Mark Hughes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Teddy Sheringham, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and more.

A definitive, unique and painstakingly researched history of an extraordinary era * Ian Herbert, sports writer at the Daily Mail *
There have been dozens of books about Alex Ferguson the winner. This is the first to properly show us Ferguson the man still working it out: hesitant, funny, occasionally exposed, years before the armour fully closed. Barton’s access to the Tyrrell archive is a genuine find, and he’s matched it with a book’s worth of voices, from dressing rooms to referees’ rooms, that argue with each other in the best possible way * Guillem Balague *
Another exceptional Manchester United book by Wayne Barton. A unique, previously unheard take on one of the greatest managers of all time. A story that’s been told many times but not in this way – through different voices and insightful anecdotes. A must read for football fans, not just Manchester United supporters * Charlotte Duncker, The Times *
A treasure trove of insights into the greatest manager of all time * Rob Smyth *
Hours of interviews conducted with Ferguson from the moment he stepped through the door at Old Trafford... What a trove they turned out to be… This is what happened, when it happened… * The Telegraph *
The pre-eminent writer on Manchester United -- Martin Edwards, former Manchester United chairman
Wayne Barton's knowledge of Manchester United is unparalleled * The Mirror *
Barton has an encyclopaedic knowledge and passion for United – telling stories in fascinating detail * Evening Standard *
Any Manchester United supporter will want to follow his work * Telegraph *
The leading football writer in the country -- Patrick Barclay
His mastery of the subject and his tireless research never fail to unearth more gems to enhance the legacy of the world's most famous football club -- Matt Barlow * Daily Mail *
A matchless contemporary record * The Telegraph *
Fergie opened up on the tapes in a way he never did with the written press… stories of his early struggles can be looked at again with the benefit of hindsight * The Sun *
Lost Fergie tapes lift the lid on life at United… [presenting] a determined manager trying his best to tackle the job of a lifetime * Oxford Mail *
Unheard interviews from [Fergie’s] early Man United years reveal clashes, pranks and ruthless decisions * Irish Independent *
If it’s a good time to be reminiscing about what made Ferguson so great, then the release of a new book on his United dynasty is well-timed * Manchester Evening News *
The book offers the chance to hear the early Ferguson years unfold through voices recorded at the time * I Love Manchester *

ISBN: 9781399420396

Dimensions: 238mm x 160mm x 50mm

Weight: 780g

528 pages