'Up close and personal' Mourinho biography to MOM

Michael O'Mara has signed a biography of Manchester United manager José Mourinho to publish in September.

José Mourinho: Up Close and Personal will be authored by sports writer Robert Beasley, bringing his "exclusive understanding and insider knowledge" of Mourinho to the book after touring with him. The book promises to provide "unique" insight into Mourinho's professional and personal life, examining both "the man" as well as "the manager". 

Michael O'Mara acquired world rights to the the book through the Robert Smith Literary Agency. José Mourinho: Up Close and Personal publishes on 29th September, priced £16.99.

Beasley said: “I am delighted to have joined forces with Michael O’Mara Books for the publication of José Mourinho: Up Close and Personal. I have been very impressed by the energy and enthusiasm the O’Mara team have for the book and their superb support for me in bringing this project into print.”

Michael O’Mara publisher Clare Tillyer said: “Robert’s friendship with Mourinho means that he can provide real insight into the man behind the persona, his unprecedented access allowing him to witness first-hand the highs and lows of the career of one of football’s most charismatic managers. We are delighted to be working with Robert on his unique look at Mourinho’s journey from Porto in 2004 to his recent move to Manchester United and all that he has encountered along the way.”

Sports publisher G2 Entertainment is meanwhile set to release its own Mourinho biography next week in paperback, entitled The Red One, that it says was "rush-released" in anticipation of the new season. It includes forewords by United legends Ray Wilkins and Bryan Robson, and promises to "lift the lid" on the rivalry between Mourinho and Pep Guardialo, the newly-appointed football manager at Manchester City.

Headline published the illustrated autobiography of Mourinho, also his debut, which came out in October last year.