'Sir Alf' A major reappraisal of England's greatest football manager. Leo McKinistry.
Sir Alf Ramsey won the World Cup with England in 1966.
He was clearly a bit of a genius but also a rather odd fellow. He hated the media and his employers and they, in turn disliked him.
If I learned anything from this it will probably be this.
People who are gregarious, a little bit outgoing and able to deal with people are much more likely to succeed than those intense genius types who keep close counsel and/or are terribly shy and introverted.
If you can make people smile with a witty remark they are likely to let you get away with things, even if your actual track record is sub par. Inspire confidence beyond your ability and people will give you some grace.
Having said all that this bio is full of amusing anecdotes from a time before my own. Sir Alf was essentially a modest and highly reserved conservative Englishman, the book reads like that, it's no page turner but if you are willing to put in the effort you will reap the rewards. That's Sir Alf's philosophy in a nutshell.
A nice little pre World Cup bit of nostalgia
5 comments:
"If I learned anything from this it will probably be this.
People who are gregarious, a little bit outgoing and able to deal with people are much more likely to succeed than those intense genius types who keep close counsel and/or are terribly shy and introverted.
If you can make people smile with a witty remark they are likely to let you get away with things, even if your actual track record is sub par. Inspire confidence beyond your ability and people will give you some grace."
Aside from the "sub par" bit and the "confidence beyond your ability", I think you may have discovered your personal mission statement.
While Sir Alf undoubtedly brought cohesion and resolve to the 66 team as a unit, true credit for the victory belongs to Ron Greenwood and his West Ham coaching staff- discuss.
the orioles won their first world series in '66. please don't forget that.
I saw you coming out of work yesterday and nearly stopped you, but thought that would be very strange, seeing as we don't really know one another.
I caught France-Switzerland at
a little pub on, I think, Bergen just off 5th Ave. No food, but a big screen and nice beers on tap.
Lighthouse on 5th is showing all games too. Saw the second half of the dreadful US performance there. But, Aussie-Japan on the plane was awesome. God love Jet Blue.
Norris, If you're still in town tomorrow, I'll be watching the England game in Park Slope. Check with Unwellness for details.
I'm in Jersey at the moment. Visiting family, etc. I'll be back in Brooklyn on Monday, and fly out early Tuesday.
Wish I could join you, but I suspect my family wants me around for a couple of days. Hell, I turned down free Yankee tickets for tonight.
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