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While we love providing you with all the information you need to fall in love with the beautiful game of soccer, there are so many wonderful stories and takes out there that it’s inspiring to cast your net a little wider when looking for some soccer inspo!
With that in mind, this article introduces you to ten of the best soccer books to read in 2022. There are incredible stories, explainer texts, and insider tales of what it takes to make it in the world of soccer.
So, without further ado, here are our ten best soccer books to read this year.
I Am The Secret Footballer
Very few books give you a behind-the-scenes insight into the world of soccer, but I Am The Secret Footballer is a title that fascinates and pulls a lot of punches.
By staying anonymous, the author has no qualms about telling stories about soccer players and what they get up to away from the field.
You can find out everything you need to know about spats with referees, locker room bust-ups, and stories from infamous nights out.
Unputdownable, The Secret Footballer’s story is one that you will return to over and over again, and it will make for a great companion for your summer vacation this year.
Farewell But Not Goodbye
Sir Bobby Robson is often described as the gentleman of soccer, and for a good reason. The legendary English manager led Ipswich Town to European glory and worked with Jose Mourinho at Barcelona.
Not only is it a wonderful book about soccer, but Sir Bobby’s autobiography is also a treatise on how to be a good human being and teaches us important lessons about respect, hard work, and dedication.
When Sir Bobby returned to his boyhood club – Newcastle United – toward the end of his life, he took them on a rollercoaster of a journey that saw them reach the later stages of the Champions League, while playing some of the most entertaining soccer.
A soccer literary classic, Farewell But Not Goodbye is a must-read for any soccer fan and provides a wonderful insight into one of the most-loved characters of our game.
Soccernomics (2022 World Cup Edition)
Set for release in October 2022, just before the World Cup gets underway in Qatar, the latest installment of the Soccernomics series is likely to be filled with fascinating answers to some of our most burning questions about the beautiful game.
Central to the text is the question – why doesn’t the US dominate soccer internationally – which is something that US-based soccer fans can’t seem to get their heads around.
Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski also tackle issues of suicide in sports, as well as the dynamics between club owners and coaches.
In short, you’re not going to want to miss this one, so add it to your pre-order list and ingest it before the 2022 World Cup kicks off in anger.
St. Pauli: Another Football is Possible
German side St. Pauli is a soccer club unlike any other on the planet. At its core, its policy is one that welcomes everyone, and fans of this Hamburg-based club fight all forms of fascism and discrimination.
This incredible book goes beyond the skull and crossbones that are so famously St. Pauli’s logo and present to you a club that takes its off-the-field organization just as seriously as its results on the pitch.
It’s imperative to read this book with an open mind, as it challenges you to rip up the soccer playbook and reconsider everything you thought you knew about the beautiful game.
You might just be calling St. Pauli your second team after reading this excellent book from authors Carles Vinas and Natxo Parra.
Gazza: My Story
Paul Gascoigne was the darling of English soccer during his relatively short playing career. When he broke onto the scene at Newcastle United, comparisons were instantly made to Diego Maradonna.
While “Gazza” was a magician on the field, he was a joker off it. This book tells the story of his multitude of pranks and jokes that are genuinely too far-fetched to believe (still, they’ve been verified by people who played with Gascoigne!).
From diving into a restaurant’s fish tank to pick his dinner to taking long fishing trips with his teammates, Gazza’s story needs to be read to be believed.
And here it is, your perfect opportunity to read one of the most enjoyable and fast-paced tales from English soccer’s most lively character – you’re going to love it!
The Damned Utd
The tumultuous nature of British soccer in the 1970s is perfectly captured in David Peace’s excellent book, The Damned Utd.
It tells the story of the brilliant Brian Clough, one of soccer’s most enigmatic coaches. In spite of his exceptional success as manager of Nottingham Forest, Clough goes down as one of Leeds United’s biggest mistakes.
This story is one of drama, shock, and disappointment, but it also highlights just how influential Clough was on the British media and those that worked for him.
If you want to learn about one of English soccer’s most cherished figures, The Damned Utd provides you with an insight into the life of Brian Clough like no other source.
Football Against The Enemy
We were caught in two minds about whether to include the same author more than once on this list, but Simon Kuper’s brilliant 1994 tale is simply too good to miss out.
Kuper traveled to regions in different parts of the world to learn about how soccer is influenced by politics, for good and for bad.
He exposes corruption and learns some fascinating facts about soccer in some of the most obscure parts of the planet, telling his narrative in an engaging way throughout.
If you’re keen for a deep dive into the inexorable relationship between politics and the beautiful game of soccer, Football Against The Enemy is undoubtedly for you.
1312: Among the Ultras: A Journey With the World’s Most Extreme Fans
James Montague takes us on a soccer journey like no other in this gripping narrative, introducing us to some of the world’s most passionate – and often violent – soccer fans.
The author travels from the Balkans to South America to tell us the story of how ultra groups were first established, as well as exploring the socio-political context in which they exist.
Soccer is a game that transcends ideologies and societal division, but the challenge posed by ultras is often greater than their contributions.
So, if you want a comprehensive treatise on the most maniacal soccer fans in the world, Montague’s book is the book for you.
Interested in a bite-size introduction to ultras before ordering Montague’s book? We explain what they are and how they contribute to soccer in this recent post on soccer ultras.
The Away Game: The Epic Search for Soccer’s Next Superstars
If you’ve ever thought about the difficulty and complexity of the world that is soccer scouting, then you’re going to love Sebastien Abbot’s 2018 book.
Abbot brilliantly interweaves the stories of many young African soccer players as they hope to make the journey across to Europe to succeed in the best leagues on the continent.
The story also takes place against the backdrop of Qatar’s oil-rich oligarchs, who are preparing for the arrival of the World Cup in 2022, and the influence that soccer’s signature tournament has on the aspirations of young talent.
This book is clever, inspiring, and complex, highlighting just how impactful soccer is on the lives of people from all around the world.
Zonal Marking: From Ajax to Zidane, the Making of Modern Soccer
Michael Fox offers us a tactical masterclass throughout Zonal Marking. He travels around the European continent, highlighting how soccer has evolved over the years.
We learn the origins of tiki-taka and are told how the French academy system allowed Zinedine Zidane to become one of the finest soccer players in living memory.
Ultimately, Zonal Marking can serve as a student’s guide to the beautiful game, as it reveals so many wonderful styles and approaches to the beautiful game.
So, if you’re looking for a book that will solidify your tactical awareness and introduce you to a whole new way of approaching soccer, Zonal Marking is for you.
Recap: The best soccer books to read this year
Whether you’re planning for an upcoming vacation or looking for something to read on the commute to work, this list of the best soccer books to read this year should inspire you to fall in love with the beautiful game.
We hope these recommendations help you find what you’re looking for, and do let us know in the comments below if you’ve read any of these brilliant soccer titles.