Calling the Shots: How to Win in Football and Life

Product Information

The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our The long-awaited memoir from international football ambassador, former co-owner of Arsenal FC and legend of the David Dein. Andreas Campomar, non-fiction publisher, acquired world rights from Jon Wood at Rogers, Coleridge & White for publication on 15th September.

Calling the Shots by David Dein | Waterstones Calling the Shots by David Dein | Waterstones

I became leas interested in the book when it dwelt at length with his involvement with international football and prisons.There’s no doubt that Dein has been one of the most significant and influential figures in British football for over three decades – operating at club and international level. He was a prime mover in the creation of the Premier League, hugely influential within the England set-up and, of course, was the mastermind – along with Arsène Wenger – in creating the glory days of Arsenal Football Club, leading the team for almost a quarter of a century. Connected to the most senior figures across the global game as a friend, rival, advisor, and collaborator, Dein has been central to major turning points in the game. Now sanctioned in the aftermath of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, Usmanov – often referred to as Putin’s favourite oligarch – would have been a disastrous owner for Arsenal had he been able to gain control. Did Dein make a mistake in selling to him? “Not at the time,” he says. “We are all clever with hindsight. You are looking now. When I sold my shares in 2007, I gave Kroenke first option. He was my preferred buyer. Quite frankly he didn’t offer me what I thought the shares were worth. He openly said to me ‘If you think you can do better you must do so, David’. I said, ‘Okay fine’. The next thing is Usmanov appeared. Although much of it has been hinted at over the years it is fascinating to read of the growing rift between Dein on one side and on the other, Fiszman, Peter Hill-Wood, the late former chairman, and Keith Edelman, then managing director. Dein and his wife Barbara were “ostracised” on away trips in Europe. He believed there was jealousy at his profile as the corporate face of Arsenal. Most of all there was disharmony on how they would fund a new stadium. The truth is you may think you know Kroenke but you don’t know him,” Dein writes. “He is difficult to get to. You put calls in and it is rare he will return them. They don’t call him Silent Stan for nothing.” This book is a good account of his life and his involvement with football.At one AGM a shareholder said that Dein was a football groupie,and I think that's a fair assessment.

Calling The Shots: How To Win At Football And Life

It was Dein’s search for a billionaire that first took him to Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, who fronted Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi Manchester City takeover. They met through Bernie Ecclestone whose daughter Tamara was then dating Dein’s younger son Gavin. “We had some good chemistry there [with Khaldoon] and I felt he could be a good owner for the club. In the end the timing wasn’t right and then a year or two later he bought Manchester City.” To lose a talent like that was a mistake,” he says. “When you see what is going on at City and satellite clubs they have around the world. Last week he was in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Panama [with Fifa] teaching coaches. Using his skill and knowledge. Arsenal could have used him for that. Developing things globally and helping other coaches. You need quality people. You’ve got to have good talent. You don’t often find an Arsene Wenger in football.” Little, Brown imprint Constable has snapped up Calling the Shot s: How to Win in Football and Life , the “explosive” autobiography from football’s David Dein. There's no doubt that Dein has been one of the most significant and influential figures in British football for over three decades - operating at club and international level. He was a prime mover in the creation of the Premier League, hugely influential within the England set-up and, of course, was the mastermind - along with Arsene Wenger - in creating the glory days of Arsenal Football Club, leading the team for almost a quarter of a century. Connected to the most senior figures across the global game as a friend, rival, advisor, and collaborator, Dein has been central to major turning points in the game. Exclusive: David Dein on his pain at being forced out of Arsenal and how Arsene Wenger was 'knifed'

Probably not winning any witters awards. The opening chapters hit you with waves of premier league excitement, but then drifts into an autobiography of David and the writer does manage to lose the attention of the audience at times. Very good book, offering deep insight into Arsenal, Dein’s approach to business and life, breaking away from the Football League to set up the Premier League, VAR, England’s World Cup hosting bid and more. Fifteen years on from the day that David Dein was forced off the Arsenal board and out the club one Wednesday evening in April 2007 still feels like a turning point in what was arguably the greatest era at one of English football’s biggest clubs, and at last he is telling his side of the story.