Exploring football’s fascinating intersection of business and romance: essential reads for the summer

Summer is the perfect time to dive into the fascinating world of football, not just as a game but as a complex and rich industry full of stories. With the new football season around the corner and the seventh edition of the Social Football Summit (SFS) on the horizon, it’s the ideal period to explore the various aspects that make football a universal passion and a global business.

Our selection of books offers a unique overview of how football intersects with business, economics, and culture. From innovative management and marketing strategies to personal stories and tales of passionate fan bases, each book provides a different lens through which to observe and understand the world of football.

“Goal: The Ball Doesn’t Go in by Chance” by Ferran Soriano takes us behind the scenes of managing a great club, revealing the secrets of Barcelona’s success. “Le nuove guerre del calcio” by Marco Bellinazzo examines the economic dynamics and financial challenges that are redefining the global football landscape.

“Brilliant Orange” by David Winner celebrates the innovation and genius of Dutch football, while “Among the Ultras” by James Montague offers a glimpse into the world of the most fervent fans and their impact on football culture. “How (Not) To Be Strong” by Alex Scott and “La vita è un pallone rotondo” by Vladimir Dimitrijevic explore the personal and philosophical dimensions of football.

1. Goal: The Ball Doesn’t Go in by Chance: Management Ideas from the World of Football, by Ferran Soriano
2. Le nuove guerre del calcio, by Marco Bellinazzo
3. Brilliant Orange, By David Winner
4. Among the Ultras, by James Montague
5. How (Not) To Be Strong, by Alex Scott
6. La vita è un pallone rotondo, by Vladimir Dimitrijevic
7. Fever Pitch, by Nick Hornby
8. Fútbol, by Osvaldo Soriano
9. The Damned Utd, by David Peace
10. Soccernomics, by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski
11. Football Hackers: The Science and Art of a Data Revolution, by Christoph Biermann

“Fever Pitch” by Nick Hornby and “Fútbol” by Osvaldo Soriano remind us of the romantic and nostalgic side of football, while “The Damned Utd” by David Peace tells a dramatic and gripping story of football management. Lastly, “Soccernomics” by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski and “Football Hackers” by Christoph Biermann show how data and economic analysis are transforming the way football is played and managed.

This collection of readings will not only enrich your understanding of football as a sport and industry but also prepare you to grasp the themes and innovations that will be discussed at the SFS24. Whether you are a passionate fan, a professional in the field, or simply curious to know more, these books will offer you a fresh and stimulating perspective on your passion.

Happy reading and have a great start to the football season!