The World's Biggest Cash Machine: Manchester United, the Glazers, and the Struggle for Football's Soul

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Description

From Chris Blackhurst, the former Editor of the Independent, comes a gripping and tightly reported account of how the Glazers, owners of Manchester United, became the most maligned figures in the Premier League, and how they changed the beautiful game forever. Manchester United's supporters span the globe and cross generations. But, with few exceptions, they are united in their anger with the American family who bought their club in 2005, plunging it into record levels of debt. The Glazers' reign has become synonymous with the financialization of football, and has coincided with fan protests and a decline of Manchester United's fortunes on the pitch . . . if not on the balance sheet. But what defines this secretive family, and do these astute businessmen deserve the opprobrium they receive In this captivating account, informed by interviews with key figures behind the scenes, journalist and commentator Chris Blackhurst charts the gripping story of the world's biggest football club - as well as exploring the wider transformation of the Premier League into a playground for billionaire owners.

Reviews

Packed with insights and details that will both amaze and appal you. This is the inside story of how the City of London really operates and if it doesn't make you angry, you need to check your pulse -- Oliver Bullough, author ofMoneylandandButler to the World, on Too Big to Jail
Blackhursts tale would make an exciting novel. But alarmingly, this is a true story, carefully researched and told with gusto -- Baroness Patience Wheatcroft, former editor ofThe Sunday Telegraph, on Too Big to Jail
Highly entertaining . . . told with pace, gusto, and a strong sense of moral outrage -- The Critic Magazine, on Too Big to Jail

Author Bio

Chris Blackhurst is an award-winning business writer and commentator. He is former editor of the Independent and for ten years was City editor of the Evening Standard. Before that he worked for The Sunday Times on its Insight investigative team. Throughout his career he has written widely on the business of sport, and his journalism has appeared in many of the world's major publications.