But there is also a sadness for Dein that it ended so abruptly in 2007 and the Wenger era never recovered. He describes Wenger’s exit in 2017 in the book as “a knifing”. He says that the Frenchman was never offered another role at the club. When I point out that similar arrangements rarely ended well with great managers of the past at other clubs, he immediately offers the reasons why it would have worked. 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.

David Dein’s explosive Constable nets football heavyweight David Dein’s explosive

I became leas interested in the book when it dwelt at length with his involvement with international football and prisons. 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. I was out the club. I was ostracised … so I just had to get the best price I could for the shares. But also thinking that maybe whoever I sold to could end up owning the club and then I would end up driving the car again. I didn't have an agenda. Kroenke in his wisdom had a value on the shares which wasn’t the same as mine. I ran Usmanov’s [Arsenal investment] vehicle for a year and built him up to 30 per cent. I had sold him 15 per cent and then I withdrew and that was it. I hardly saw him after that. That was the transaction.” 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.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. David Dein is one of the great men of fottball who has transformed the National game. This book covers the years from being a supporter to becoming a very busy director; transforming Arsenal; starting the premier league and making football the multi million pound business it is today. Perhaps Mr. Dein warrants a statue outside the stadium next to Ken Friar. Then, he says, there were no warning signs of what was to come. “I don’t think 15 years ago there was any thought of the Russian oligarchs being sanctioned. Who can say that Roman [Abramovich] didn’t do a great job for them? You ask any Chelsea supporter. The club were virtually bust before Roman came in, he turned the club around.” An insider’s point of view on the footballing machinations behind the scenes of both club and country. Dean There’re even unexpected topics covered in the book. Andreas Campomar, non-fiction publisher, acquired world rights from Jon Wood at Rogers, Coleridge & White for publication on 15th September.

Calling the Shots: How to Win in Football and Life by David

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. Exclusive: David Dein on his pain at being forced out of Arsenal and how Arsene Wenger was 'knifed'

According to Campomar, Calling the Shots is an incisive analysis of football past, present and future and promises to be revelatory in its detailed disclosure of what went on behind the scenes at Arsenal and the Premier League. I always voted against Dein at the AGM as I felt he got the shares too cheaply.Unfortunately I was proved right. The “prime mover” in the creation of the Premier League, hugely influential within the England set-up and the mastermind – along with Arsène Wenger – in creating the glory days at Arsenal Football Club, Dein’s book has been written together with Henry Winter of The Times and Amy Lawrence of the Athletic . The long-awaited memoir from international football ambassador, former co-owner of Arsenal FC and legend of the game: David Dein. I think they are coming through it,” Dein says. “The club is, by and large, well run. I think they have made mistakes for sure with transfers, salaries, and certain players they have bought, they have overpaid. For the 20 years Arsene and I worked together we were in the Champions League non-stop. You won't see that for a long time again. It was never on my agenda to come fourth. I wanted to be No 1 or worse No 2.”

Calling the Shots: How to Win in Football and Life - Dein Calling the Shots: How to Win in Football and Life - Dein

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. 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. 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.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.