On Days Like These: The incredible autobiography of a football legend

Description

Martin O'Neill is one of the most fascinating and respected figures in football. On Days Like These tells the story of his remarkable career. For the first time, Martin O'Neill reflects on one of the most varied and successful football careers in the British Isles. He made his breakthrough playing for Lisburn Distillery in Northern Ireland and won the Irish Cup, before moving to England where he became a key part of Brian Clough's legendary Nottingham Forest team. Under the charismatic and controversial Clough, O'Neill was one of the few players who made the epic journey from the second division to the glory years: winning the First Division championship, two League Cups and back-to-back European Cups. O'Neill also represented Northern Ireland over sixty times, playing alongside George Best and captaining the side at the 1982 World Cup, where their spectacular run saw them reach the quarter-finals. As a manager, O'Neill's celebrated leadership of Celtic saw them win seven trophies, including three Scottish Premier League titles; and in England he successfully led Leicester City to two League Cups and Aston Villa to an unprecedented three consecutive top six finishes in the Premier League. With Roy Keane as his assistant manager, he oversaw the Republic of Ireland reaching the Euros in 2016, when they made it to the second round for the first time in their history. With a career spanning over fifty years, Martin tells of his exhilarating highs and some painful lows; from the joys of winning trophies, promotion and fighting for World Cups to being harangued by your own fans, boardroom drama, relegation scraps and being fired. Written with his trademark honesty and humour, On Days Like These is one of the most insightful and captivating sports autobiographies and a must-read for any fans of the beautiful game.

Martin O'Neill began his career in Northern Ireland, winning the Irish Cup with Lisburn Distillery. He then moved to England and joined Nottingham Forest, playing under the legendary Brian Clough, with whom he won back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980. O'Neill went on to play for Norwich City, Manchester City and Notts County. He represented Northern Ireland sixty-four times and captained the side at the 1982 World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals. O'Neill moved into club management and took the helm at Grantham Town, Wycombe Wanderers, Norwich City, Leicester City, Celtic, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest. He guided Leicester City back to the English Premier League and twice won the League Cup. As Celtic manager he led the club to seven trophies, including three Scottish Premier League titles, and to the 2003 UEFA Cup final. His stint in charge of Aston Villa saw them achieve three consecutive sixth-place finishes in the English Premier League and he also guided them to the 2010 Football League Cup final. He became Republic of Ireland manager in 2013 and led them to qualification for the 2016 UEFA European Championship for the third time in the nation's history; they made it to the second round for the first ever, beating the reigning world champions Germany in the process. On Days Like These is his first book.

Brilliant . . . an entertaining read filled with fascinating stories, biting humour and searing honesty * The Belfast Telegraph * Every word of it is his . . . full of vim. Not to mention tales of conflict * The Daily Telegraph * Entertaining . . . An extraordinary career * Guardian *