These footballer autobiographies really are nothing but a pain. The information and writing style is sensationalised to the point of comedy at best and genuine troublemaking at worst. And the players inevitably come across self-important and oozing arrogance.
Arsenal’s Ashley Cole and Chelsea’s Frank Lampard have already successfully looked like prats via seralised quotes this summer, and now Steven Gerrard looks intent on revealing what a moody a git he is by having his musings seralised in the NOTW. His view on being substituted against Tottenham in 2002?
“I hate being hooked, however rubbish I’m playing. For Christ’s sake, not in front of the Kop where my mates are watching.”
Great to see his priorties are in Liverpool’s best interests, then. Note to Benitez: no matter how rubbish he’s playing or how much his performance is damaging the team, for the love of God don’t sub him off when his mates are watching! It’s sooo embarasing.
The revelations, and quality of writing, only gets worse,
“But the most depressing point in my relationship with Houllier came in the pretty Swiss town of Basle the following month.”
Yes, that does say the “pretty Swiss town” of Basle.
He continued, “Incensed I struggled to control my fists. I was that close to attacking them. “Have you lot finished?” I finally said and walked out the room. Steaming.”
Don’t think it really matters what that last quote was about, the key part is that Steven Gerrard, captain of the club and vice captain of England, is releasing a book explaining how close he was to delivering a savage beating to his coaching staff.
Of course these books are written to sell, but surely any footballer with half a brain can see that these books don’t exactly put them in the best light? Well…maybe that answers the question.