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Alex Ferguson retired as manager of Man United last May, following years of success with the club. Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport
future plans

'The Damned United' author would consider writing book on Alex Ferguson

David Peace also spoke to TheScore.ie about Bill Shankly’s influence on the former Man United boss.

DAVID PEACE, THE author of The Damned United and Red or Dead, a newly released novel on legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly, has revealed that he’d consider writing a book on Alex Ferguson in the future.

In an interview with TheScore.ie, Peace said there was plenty of interesting material to explore on the Scottish manager, who retired from football management last May, having enjoyed unprecedented levels of success with Manchester United over the course of his career.

“I’m not saying I definitely would,” he explained. “But somebody like Ferguson interests me, and particularly if you look at the political context. He arrives there, the Tory Party fall from office. New Labour come in during this time.

“There are also huge changes in the game during this period. That would be a fascinating period to write about.”

Peace, whose acclaimed novel about Brian Clough’s disastrous 44 days as coach of Leeds United was turned into a successful film adaptation, also described how Ferguson greatly admired Shankly.

“Ferguson was very influenced by Shankly apparently, particularly when he was at Aberdeen. He used to play cassettes of Bill Shankly speaking on the team bus to motivate the players.”

Peace also explained that the former United boss was not the only other sporting figure he’d contemplated writing about.

“I’ve thought about Geoffrey Boycott in cricket. I’m always making notes and thinking of ideas. But now, having done this football book, I can go back and finish my Tokyo trilogy. So it might be a while before I write about football again.”

David Peace will be talking to Paul Howard about his new book Red or Dead in Eason O’Connell St this Tuesday, August 20 at 6.30pm.

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