At Arsenal, the club where he won the FA Cup three times, Per Mertesacker was affectionately called the "Big Friendly German." Standing at 6ft 6in, he was the defender who took fitness so seriously that he invested ten per-cent of his annual salary on personal therapists. His endurance would help him in a decade- long career with the German national team which culminated in him lifting the World Cup in 2014. In his autobiography, Mertesacker reveals the story of that summer in Brazil, expl...

JüKlopp's coaching career began in the German second tier at the unfashionable club of FSV Mainz 05, whom he steered to the Bundesliga for the first time in forty-one years. In 2008, he joined Borussia Dortmund, where he achieved back-to-back league titles and took the club to the UEFA Champions League final. He left Germany for one of the England's most challenging jobs: to manage Liverpool, a once-mighty club that had not managed sustained success since the 1980s.It was not a ta...

"A beautiful story, expertly told." -- Per Mertesacker, Arsenal defender and member of the German national team, winners of the 2014 World CupEstáo do Maracan", July 13, 2014, the last ten minutes of extra time in the World Cup Final: German forward Mario Gö jumps to meet a floated pass from Andr' Schü cushions the ball with his chest, and in one fluid motion volleys the ball past the onrushing Argentine goalkeeper into the far corner of the net. The goal wins G...

JüKlopp's coaching career began in the German second tier at the unfashionable club of FSV Mainz 05, whom he steered to the Bundesliga for the first time in forty-one years. In 2008, he joined Borussia Dortmund, where he achieved back-to-back league titles and took the club to the UEFA Champions League final. He left Germany for one of the England's most challenging jobs: to manage Liverpool, a once-mighty club that had not managed sustained success since the 1980s.It was not a ta...

'Access inside the changing room and behind the scenes that any journalist or writer would kill for - Perarnau's insights are astonishing' - Graham Hunter'Write about everything you see. Be as critical as you like' - Pep Guardiola to Marti Perarnau, summer 2013Marti Perarnau was given total access to Bayern Munich during season 2013-14. This book represents the first time in the modern era that a writer has got this close to one of the elite teams ...

Andrea Pirlo is one of the finest footballers of his generation - a World Cup and Champions League winning playmaker who has redefined his position at the base of midfield, and one of the most deadly free-kick takers the game has known. This is his story, in his words.It is written with a level of humour and insight which confound his image as a dead-eyed assassin on the field of play. All the big names are in there: Lippi, Ancelotti, Conte, Maldini, Shevchenko, Seedorf, Buffon, Kaka, Nest...

AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY LIKE NO OTHER: SIR ALEX REFLECTS ON HIS RECORD-BREAKING CAREER AT ABERDEEN AND MANCHESTER UNITED.'Sometimes defeats are the best outcomes. To react to adversity is a quality. Even in your lowest periods you are showing strength . . .'For over two decades Sir Alex Ferguson dominated the Premier League, overseeing a sustained and unparalleled period of success with Manchester United. He was a visionary, able to move with the times an...

The autobiography of Dutch soccer legend Johan Cruyff, whose remarkable life and impeccable style have influenced star players and clubs for decadesJohan Cruyff embodied a footballing philosophy that now dominates coaching and playing styles in all the leading club sides around the world. You can dispute whether Cruyff was the greatest player ever -- he was certainly one of the top three -- but he is undoubtedly the player who single-handedly changed the nature of ...

The game of soccer is constantly in flux; new ideas, philosophies and tactics mould the present and shape the future.Since the turn of the century we have witnessed dramatic changes in the beautiful game: new types of player, new coaching methods and tactical innovations have all enhanced and changed the sport of football. The technical, tactical, physical and psychological skills needs of the modern player - from the goalkeeper to centre forward - have all been enhanced. In a nuts...

This is the story of the greatest achievement in the history of international football.After decades of failure, Spain won the European Championship in 2008 andthen the World Cup in 2010. At Euro 2012 they became the first team to win three consecutive tournament titles.Graham Hunter was inside the dressing room as the players celebrated after the finals of the World Cup and Euro 2012. His access-all-areas pass at all three tournaments has resulted in remarkable eyewitness accounts and new...

Rio Ferdinand is one of the finest footballers of his generation - a born winner and one of the game's greatest stoppers. Full of outstanding stories and forthright opinions, #2Sides sees Rio reflect on his unique rise to the top of the game:- Cutting his teeth in the West Ham youth teams and becoming captain of Leeds United at the age of 22- His record-breaking transfer to Manchester United that made him one of the most revered centre-backs in world football...

Over the last 20 years, no sport has changed more than soccer. The modern player is technically more capable, physically faster and stronger, and has access to more coaching and sports science resources than ever before. With the high rewards associated with success, there has never been more pressure on coaches to win, develop players, and play soccer the 'right way'.Aimed at Soccer coaches of all levels and with players of all ages and abilities The Modern Soccer Coach 2014 ident...