During his 27-year reign at Old Trafford, former ManU manager ALEX FERGUSON "rarely had to suffer journalists accusing him of being over-controlling, thin-skinned or remotely hypocritical," according to Andy Hodgson of the London EVENING STANDARD. But with his new book, "My Autobiography," to promote, the 71 year-old Scot faced the kind of grilling from Channel 4 broadcaster JON SNOW "that made him seem visibly uncomfortable." For a transcript of the interview, click here (EVENING STANDARD, 10/23). In London, Oliver Kay wrote Ferguson was accused Tuesday night "of lacking loyalty" by ROY KEANE, who joined DAVID BECKHAM, RUUD VAN NISTELROOY and WAYNE ROONEY among those criticized in the former ManU manager's new autobiography. Keane comes in for severe censure, both for his behavior in the build-up to his departure in '05 and his subsequent feud with Ferguson, "but the former United captain preferred last night to castigate Ferguson for a wider lack of loyalty towards players such as Beckham, Van Nistelrooy and himself." Keane said, "It doesn't bother me too much what he has to say about me, but to constantly criticize other players at the club who brought him a lot of success, I find very, very strange. I certainly won't be losing any sleep over it" (LONDON TIMES, 10/23). Also in London, James Olley opined no wonder Ferguson "feels he retired at the right time." His autobiography is many things, "not least a love letter to an autocratic management style that is in danger of dying out." The over-riding theme "is one of control." Some "view his merciless approach as self-protection; a politician making decisions to prolong his spell in power rather than bending to the will of the people." Keane "certainly thinks so" (EVENING STANDARD, 10/23).
