John Gregory: The Boss

In "The Boss," John Gregory, alongside journalist Martin Swain, presents a compelling insider's account of managing Aston Villa during one of the club's most dramatic periods in the Premier League era. Published in June 2000, this book offers a raw and unfiltered look at the pressures of top-flight management and the personalities that defined Villa's late-1990s period.
Gregory's appointment in February 1998 is a remarkable story in football. Coming from third-tier Wycombe Wanderers, he transformed Villa from relegation candidates to title contenders. His immediate impact was remarkable, as he led Villa to nine wins in eleven games, steering the club from relegation trouble to European qualification. 
The book's most fascinating sections detail Gregory's handling of some of football's most complex characters:
1. Stan Collymore: Gregory provides candid insights into managing the talented but troubled striker. The manager's frustration with Collymore's situation became public, and the book offers his personal perspective on these challenging times.
2. Paul Merson: The relationship with Merson forms a crucial part of the narrative, as Gregory had to manage the midfielder's well-documented personal struggles while maintaining team performance.
The Dwight Yorke Saga: One of the book's most dramatic chapters covers the Dwight Yorke transfer saga. The £12.6 million transfer to Manchester United in August 1998 became one of the most talked-about moves of the era. Gregory's infamous quote about wanting to shoot Yorke (if he had a gun) when the striker requested to leave captures the raw emotion of the situation.
The book provides an intimate look at Villa's remarkable 1998-99 campaign, where the team finished sixth in the Premier League with a record of 15 wins, 10 draws, and 13 losses. Throughout this period, Gregory's tactical decisions and man-management skills faced significant challenges.
Working with Martin Swain, who brought decades of West Midlands football journalism experience, Gregory delivers his story with brutal honesty. The narrative is enhanced by Swain's deep understanding of the local football scene and his ability to contextualize Gregory's experiences within the broader landscape of English football.
The book offers valuable insights into:
The transition from lower-league management to Premier League pressure
Handling high-profile transfers and contract negotiations
Managing media expectations and scrutiny
Dealing with board-level relationships and financial constraints
The autobiography captures a pivotal moment in Premier League history as the league was becoming increasingly commercialised and globalized. Gregory's perspective as a manager during this transformation provides valuable historical context for understanding modern football's evolution.
This book stands as both a personal memoir and a historical document of a transformative period in English football. Gregory's tenure at Villa Park saw him achieve the second-best win percentage among Villa's Premier League managers, making his insights particularly valuable for understanding successful Premier League management.
For football historians, Villa supporters, and anyone interested in the human drama behind Premier League management, "The Boss" offers an unflinching look at the pressures, personalities, and politics of English football's top flight during one of its most dynamic periods.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Published: 19 June 2000 
Price: £25.00
Hardback: 256 pages