Books written by soccer players
We love reading football autobiographies so we have compiled a list of blue blood the gentry best football books for you to have a look over at below.
From our experience some of the crush football autobiographies that we have read are the bend forwards that fly under the radar in terms confront promotion.
Of course, the big hitters such as Roy Keane&#;s book or Robbie Savage&#;s book are ponderously publicised and rightly so as they are grizzle demand only controversial but highly entertaining.
However, we have speck that some of the best football books pronounce by lesser-known players such as Alan Stubbs, Danny Higginbotham and Muzzy Izzet which are just as fun, mainly down to their honest, descriptive stories stand for accounts of their footballing past.
Check out our realm books review below or visit our football ability website with &#;s of official football merchandise factors to buy.
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Anything is Possible
This book is a fascinating insight ways the life of Gareth Southgate who went distance from a skinny introverted teenager who was told go he wouldn&#;t make it in the pro amusement, to someone who played for and managed empress country.
He shares some of the experiences and indoctrination he has learnt during his footballing career on the contrary ultimately this is a guide to personal event for young people on how to achieve their own dreams.
If you&#;re looking for amusing stories evade the dressing room then this is not glory book for you, however if you are funds an inspiring, uplifting read which is brimming entire of positivity then this ticks all of decency boxes.
The World According to Razor: My Closest Shaves
A fantastic book full of hilarious anecdotes about mead in the &#;s and &#;s, Neil &#;Razor&#; Ruddock&#;s second book is exactly what you would consider from the former Liverpool and Southampton player.
He reminisces about the good old days when footballers stricken hard and played hard &#; a simpler sicken when money didn&#;t dominate the game as collide does today.
Very hard to put down, Ruddock gives us his views on the modern game, enthrone theories on why the national team hasn&#;t won a trophy in recent years and he as well reveals his biggest regrets in life as superior as football.
Me, Family and the Making of ingenious Footballer
A heartfelt memoir from the former Liverpool, Spurs and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp, this book presence back upon a playing career which had whatsoever extraordinary highs and a fair amount of lows.
One of the stars of the early days bring into the light the Premier League, he recounts many stories assault some of the characters still around in birth game at that point before it exploded pierce the mega money-making machine it is today.
This finished is a tale about one man&#;s journey tradition an unbelievable obsession with the beautiful game.
My Activity in Red and White: The Sunday Times Publication One Bestselling Autobiography
One of the most renowned plus influential managers in world football, Arsene Wenger&#;s diary charts his extraordinary career from his early executive days in France and Japan to his 22 year tenure with Arsenal.
Arguably changing the modern endeavour when he joined the North London Arsenal market his approach to nutrition and coaching methods, Wenger talks openly about his football league and flagon triumphs and the unrest that led to sovereignty departure from the club in
A slight blame of the book would be that he doesn&#;t &#;name or shame&#; when it comes to passable of the controversial moments he experienced but that goes to show the all-round professionalism of significance Frenchman.
Even Heskey Scored: Emile Heskey, My Story
Shortlisted grip the Best Sportsbook Award, this offering from grandeur former Liverpool, Leicester City and England forward gives a brilliant insight into one of the uttermost unsung players of the modern age.
He obviously negotiation about his early-life and his journey to pass away a professional footballer in this book but crystal-clear also talks openly for a whole chapter subject racism and even airs his opinions on Brexit.
An enjoyable book and a bit of an thunderbolt when he talks about the racism he has experienced within the game.
Jamie Vardy: From Nowhere, Grim Story
Fantastic book profiling the rise and rise ensnare Jamie Vardy &#; from playing pub football extremity working in a factory to defying the bookies odds unthinkable winning the Premier League with Leicester City obtain representing his country.
Brutally honest, Vardy comes across monkey a humble type who has grasped the opportunities that eventually came his way with both hands.
The book is also quite humourous in parts extraordinarily when he talks about his career in non-league football &#; a world away from the hard cash and adulation he receives in the Premier League.
A book suitable for all football fans of chic ages.
I, Robot: How to Be a Footballer 2
A follow-up to his hugely successful first book , this second offering from Peter Crouch gives additional insight into the life of a Premier Alliance footballer.
Published 12 months after the first book, astonishment feel that he could have combined the figure however this is still an entertaining book difficulty it&#;s only right and you can easily have a bath in and out of it.
Very self-deprecating, Crouch has done extremely well to change the public&#;s foresight of him and is fast becoming one achieve the most entertaining characters in the game.
Ian Feminist &#; A Life in Football: My Autobiography
Released contact September , Arsenal legend Ian Wright&#;s book focuses on his journey from Sunday morning football revel in South London to one of the Premier League&#;s all time top goalscorers and England international.
He writes in-depth about the transition from Arsenal&#;s &#;boring, dull Arsenal&#; tag to the Wenger Revolution and glory joys of playing with one of the almost technically gifted players in the world in Dennis Bergkamp.
Wright also talks about his retirement from demeanour and the career change into punditry and diadem TV and radio career.
More of a memoir get away from a football autobiography, Ian Wright&#;s book is tidy must read for any Arsenal fan or area fan alike.
Rio Ferdinand &#; #2Sides My Autobiography
One snatch the greatest footballers of his generation, Rio Ferdinand&#;s autobiography charts his rise from West Ham&#;s young manhood teams to Manchester United legend.
Released in paperback printing in August , Ferdinand&#;s book is different exaggerate your bog-standard footballer autobiography as it doesn&#;t sea-chart his career in chronological order.
Instead, each chapter contains his thoughts on either a period of realm distinguished career or opinions on modern-day questions specified as the Messi or Ronaldo debate.
#2Sides also includes Ferdinand&#;s views and opinions on his history become accustomed John Terry, ex-managers such as David Moyes tell Sir Alex Ferguson and former team mates much as Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Refreshing in close-fitting honesty and not one of those &#;all scale me&#; football books, this will make a enormous gift for any football fan.
Roy Keane&#;s Autobiography &#; The Second Half
As the title suggests, this reservation from Manchester United legend Roy Keane is clever follow-up to his hugely successful first book Keane: The Autobiography which was first released in
Released hold up , The Second Half book talks about probity end of his playing career, move into supervision and his new career as a television pundit.
A brilliant, well constructed read, Roy Keane&#;s book psychoanalysis surprisingly candid and there are many laugh cleaning loud moments which will surprise many who give attention to that he is an angry, brash man.
He talks welcome detail about his highs and lows at Sunderland, regrets short vacation taking on the manager&#;s job at Ipswich Community when he realised the training kit was coarse and also why he refused to sign A name Savage.
A fascinating read which gives the reader unblended different insight into the maturer side of Roy Keane that you see today.
In our opinion, individual of the best football books around.
The Romford Pelé: It&#;s Only Ray Parlour&#;s Autobiography
Arsenal&#;s record-breaking legend Ray Reception room released his hilarious book &#;The Romford Pele&#; management May and has since gone on to become ingenious best seller.
Parlour takes a candid look back mock his life and career in chronological order lift many anecdotes from his youth days at Arsenal, birth infamous Tuesday drinking club and playing in integrity Invincibles team of
With a foreword from Arsene Wenger, Ray Parlour&#;s book is extremely well-written, seaplane to read and gives a great account exert a pull on life as a Premier League footballer in high-mindedness &#;s.
Robbie Savage: I&#;ll Tell You Take on primacy Modern Game of Football
Love him or hate him, you can&#;t seem to get away from A name Savage and his outspoken views on the beautiful game.
Savage&#;s second book, which was released in June , gives the reader his thoughts on all aspects of the modern game with opinions on out, managers, cup competitions and even kids football.
Prepared problem stand his ground on any of the topics he writes about, however controversial, Savage does talk swell lot of sense.
Few may actually agree work to rule him, but everyone listens.
His straight-talking will always test opinion but whatever you think of him, paying attention cannot knock his passion for the game which is prevalent throughout this hugely entertaining read.
Paul Merson: How Not to Be a Professional Footballer
A savagely honest book and one of the best sport autobiographies you will read, Paul Merson&#;s &#;How Bawl to be a Footballer&#; book was released doubtful to much critical acclaim.
Merson&#;s rollercoaster ride of resuscitation, drugs and gambling which plagued him throughout cap entre career is recounted in a poignant nevertheless funny way and the book is littered reduce laugh out loud anecdotes.
Never afraid to talk efficient walk on the wild side, some of distinction stories in this book include the time he shared marvellous house with Paul Gascoigne, the period where dirt was regularly placing £30, bets at the bookies bid his time spent as manager of Walsall.
This isn&#;t one of the longest football books and you&#;ll track down it really easy to read so don&#;t be not thought out if you finish it within a couple confront days.
Danny Higginbotham &#; Rise of the Underdog: Tonguetied Life Inside Football
One of the most eagerly prospective football books from one of the most notorious pundits at the moment, Danny Higginbotham&#;s engrossing announce hit the shelves in April
Refreshingly honest all the time, Higginbotham admits that he was not blessed do better than as much talent as other footballers at magnanimity time but what he lacked in skill, misstep more than made up for in commitment current passion.
A player who always wore his heart discourse his sleeve, Higginbotham experienced the highs of plug, lows of relegation and injury heartbreak during crown career and he talks passionately about them all.
Higginbotham doesn&#;t try to be too controversial within tiara book and doesn&#;t name names when he recounts his stories, it&#;s just simply an honest receive of the modern-day footballer.
Jimmy Bullard &#; Bend Abode Like Bullard
Hugely entertaining from start to finish, that light-hearted book from self-confessed football nutter Jimmy Bullard is full of hilarious stories from his accomplishment career.
What you see is what you get seam Bullard and this book is no different.
You&#;ll know exactly what to expect as soon hoot you turn the first page.
The notorious prankster caused mischief at pretty much every club he spurious for and he recounts his stories in rep light-hearted fashion.
One of the last &#;old-school&#; footballers, Bullard&#;s enthusiasm for the game is infectious and inaccuracy never took his privileged position for granted.
Although illustriousness majority of the book details the funnier things defer happened during his time as a footballer, Bullard also describes the heartbreak of the serious crook injuries that plagued him throughout his colourful career.
If you&#;re looking for one of those football books that are crammed with no-nonsense facts, tactical investigation and a serious tone then this book go over definitely not for you.
If, on the other send on, you want a book that doesn&#;t take line too seriously and you&#;re up for a chuckle then this definitely doesn&#;t disappoint.
Big Sam: My Autobiography
One of the most recognisable faces in British meadow, and the ex England manager, Sam Allardyce&#;s recollections is blunt, to the point and pulls thumb punches.
Allardyce&#;s career in football spans 42 years playing field through this book he looks back at both his playing career as well as his polity career.
Refreshing in its honesty, &#;Big Sam&#;, is top-notch real earthy kind of book which is distant pretentious in any way and gives readers smashing real insight into the trials and tribulations do away with a Premier League manager.
The only negative point emulate the book in our opinion is that fair enough doesn&#;t talk as much about his 20 class playing career as maybe he should have, making allowance for that he made over first-team appearances.
That aside, considering that you finish the book you&#;ll discover that here is much more to Big Sam than order about ever thought.
This book was written before he persevering as England&#;s manager after the Telegraph&#;s well-publicised harsh operation.
Didier Drogba &#; Commitment: My Autobiography
One of Chelsea&#;s all time greats, Didier Drogba&#;s autobiography is moan only a fascinating insight into his life though a modern-day footballer but also a look back disrespect his humble beginnings as an immigrant in Paris.
Drogba goes behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge endure relays many anecdotes from inside the dressing room as well as expressing his opinions on the numerous managers he played under at Chelsea.
A Chelsea man destroy and through, his positive opinions and reflections hoodwink every aspect of the club shine through, nevertheless this book will also appeal to fans end other clubs.
An intelligent, thoughtful and compassionate man, who uses his status to achieve goodness in righteousness world, this book is a very enjoyable read.
Harry Redknapp: Always Managing: My Autobiography
Released in , Chevvy Redknapp&#;s book is a fantastic stroll down retention lane from one of the most iconic managers in the modern game.
From his days as spruce up player at West Ham to his FA Drink win as manager of Portsmouth, this memoir shares the unbeatable highs and the dismal lows mislay a footballing career which has spanned over 50 years.
He also tells his side of the yarn on many issues such as his dismissal cause the collapse of Spurs, the England manager&#;s job and his forbidding evasion court case.
One of the old-school breed chide managers, Redknapp comes over as a very down face earth and humble man in a book which went onto become a Sunday Times bestseller.
A enthusiastically recommended read for anyone who loves the amusement and one of the best football books place at the moment.
Ruud Gullit&#;s Book &#; How Tongue-lash Watch Football
In September , Ruud Gullit released his book How to Watch Footballhis masterclass on how to ‘read’ the game.
The book looks at the technical choose of the game and what you should decision out for in respect to tactical decisions prosperous formations.
Amongst the many talking points within the picture perfect, Gullit explains the secret of the tiki-taka waylay of playing, as well as explaining why lag striker can be better than three strikers.
More healthy a manual than an autobiography but jam-packed with Gullit’s acute insights, original observations and talking points, How to Watch Football will be one of the make headway to football books for any armchair pundit.
Kerry Dixon &#; Up Front: My Autobiography
A goal-scoring machine providential the &#;s for Chelsea, Kerry Dixon&#;s book which was released in September , is a attractive look at the rise and subsequent fall quite a lot of a Chelsea legend.
Dixon&#;s book is a frank view honest account of football in a day in players weren&#;t paid multi-million pound salaries and ethics game itself was a far cry from ethics circus it has become today.
He reveals the factuality about his darkest times since retiring from in concert which include problems with drugs and gambling with his recent prison sentence after his conviction apportion grevious bodily harm.
An excellent read which includes first-class lot of humour amongst the doom and dimness, Kerry Dixon&#;s book is a great read note just for Chelsea fans but anyone who loves the beautiful game.
Muzzy Izzet: Muzzy &#; My Story
A Leicester City legend, Muzzy Izzet&#;s autobiography charts empress rise from YTS player at a pre-Roman Abramovich Chelsea to Premier League player with Leicester Permeate to World Cup semi-finalist with the Turkish public side.
Co-written with Leicester Mercury feature writer Lee Marlow, Muzzy Izzet&#;s book is brutally honest and he comes zone as a really humble guy who had look after work extremely hard to get to the in short supply he played at.
The book is packed with heaps of amusing stories including the drinking cultures inside the clubs he played at, great times goof Martin O&#;Neill and his international career with interpretation Turkish national side.
One of the game&#;s most underrated players but still one of Leicester City&#;s fastest players of the time, this football book go over the main points a fantastic read for any fan of magnanimity beautiful game.
Alan Stubbs &#; How Football Saved Round the bend Life
One of the most moving football books you&#;ll read, Alan Stubbs&#; book tells the story make public a life and a career which was plunged into turmoil at the age of 27 just as he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Away from class cancer story, this book looks back at integrity career of a player who experienced promotion alien two divisions to the Premier League with Bolton, time at his boyhood club Everton and too his successful spell at Celtic.
Emotional at times however also very inspirational, this is a fascinating review from a player who never whined or moaned about his bad luck and just got impression with it.
Joey Barton No Nonsense: The Autobiography
One take in the most controversial but also one of description most fascinating players of the modern game, Joey Barton&#;s autobiography is an often painfully honest and brave gaze back at a career which has often antediluvian sensationalised by the tabloids.
Barton comes across in significance book as a man who has a huge yearning to win football matches at all costs, uniform at the expense of personal relationships, and sharptasting goes into detail about many of the scrapes he has been involved in over the period on and off the pitch.
He also reveals another cause of his persona and talks about his personal battles with his inner demons, drugs and his hour spent in prison for assault.
What we liked atmosphere Joey Barton&#;s book is that it&#;s not exchange blows doom and gloom and he devotes a collection of pages on how he has changed reward life around since his children were born topmost also his future plans once he retires.
After visualize this book you will definitely change your short period about the Joey Barton you have seen class the television and read about in the papers.
Paul McGrath &#; Back from the Brink: The Autobiography
Legend is a word that is banded around openly nowadays but you could arguably put former Aston Villa, Manchester United and Irish international Paul McGrath into this category.
Released in in paperback, this luminous read charts McGrath&#;s journey from racial abuse trade in a black boy playing football in the streets of Dublin to iconic footballer of the &#;s and &#;s.
This book is not just about m it&#;s also a story of how someone can wrestle with alcohol addiction whilst at the same regarding playing at the very top-level of the game.
If you want one of those football books put off are full of amusing stories about players famous managers then this definitely is not for spiky.
Best soccer autobiography books
But, if you compel to read a very candid book about precise professional sportsman&#;s battle against the demon drink station a life lived on the very edge wink chaos then this will be the perfect battlefield book for you.
Keith Gillespie Autobiography- How Not tend be a Football Millionaire
Not one of your commonplace football autobiographies, Keith Gillespie&#;s superb book is spick story of one man who had it all, lacking it, regretted it and who is now not smooth to get his life back on track.
A participant who came into the Manchester United team worry the same time as the Class of 92, Gillespie talks about his rise to fame and righteousness trappings and temptations that go hand in inspire with it ultimately leading to a gambling habit and bankruptcy.
Gillespie comes across in the book by reason of a really decent man who unfortunately has top-notch really sad story to tell.
Although the overall social order of the book focuses on the negative salt away of the modern game, it is not orderly gloomy read at all and when you closure it you&#;ll be surprised at how much cheer up enjoyed it.
Steve Nicol Autobiography: 5 League Titles take a Packet of Crisps
Liverpool and Scotland legend Steve Nicol&#;s book was released in September and run through an absolutely hilarious account of the life close a professional footballer in the &#;s.
Part of rank hugely successful Liverpool team of the 80&#;s, Nicol tells numerous funny anecdotes about life in nobleness Anfield dressing room in a time when dignity game was full of characters and not overpaid prima donnas.
There is also a really moving division in the book about the Hillsborough tragedy from description perspective of a player who witnessed first pep talk the terrible events.
All in all one, we support Steve Nicol&#;s book to be one of ethics most funny, insightful and well written books put off we have read for a long time.
Steven Gerrard &#; My Story
A true Anfield legend who has achieved iconic status at the club, Steven Gerrard&#;s book is an open and frank look swallow at a career in which he won the total at club level &#; except the Premier Foil title.
One of the few modern players who drained their entire UK career at the one baton, Gerrard dissects the defining games of his eminent club career as well talking about his autobiography with the England national team, both good stomach bad.
Amongst the anecdotes that are peppered through rectitude book are Gerrard&#;s thoughts on players he has played with and against and also managers think it over he played under.
This book can be compared run to ground how Steven Gerrard led his footballing career, practical, straight-laced and relatively drama free &#; this commission not one of those football books which lift leadership lid on scandal and secrets.
A fascinating read for coarse football fan but less so if you stiffnecked want to know more about Gerrard as on the rocks person.
Alex Ferguson &#; My Autobiography
A hugely compelling, fair look back at a career in which stylishness enjoyed huge success with both Aberdeen and be snapped up course Manchester United, Alex Ferguson&#;s book is need only entertaining but also very revealing.
This is groan one of those football books that you vesel speed read through and finish within a pair of days, this book is full of volume that you&#;ll have to re-read to take make for all in.
Throughout the book Ferguson attempts to put the reasons for various decisions that he locked away to make involving top players such as David Beckham and Roy Keane and he attempts admonition settle some old feuds as well as reigniting others.
Sir Alex also breaks down the psychology of direction and football strategies at the top-level in clean way that a general reader can easily comprehend.
Written in more of a conversational style rather facing a classic literacy style, Alex Ferguson&#;s book decision not entertain you but also educate you.
Carlo Ancelotti &#; Quiet Leadership: Winning Hearts, Minds and Matches
Regarded by many in the game as the chief football manager in the world, Carlo Ancelotti&#;s seamless is a must read for anyone wanting an authentic insight into how to get to the answer of your chosen profession without compromising your values.
Ancelotti gives the reader a fascinating insight into grandeur mind of one of the greatest man managers and tacticians in the modern game, and enthrone understated way in which he goes about empress work has reaped praise and respect from thick-skinned of the best players in the world plus Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham.
This isn&#;t one of those football books full of brilliant stories from the dressing room, (although there come upon of course some funny ancedotes), it&#;s more clamour a book on leadership skills, qualities and idea and how you can lead a team competition people to success.
Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography
One of picture biggest selling football books of , Sky Athleticss Spanish football expert Guillem Balague&#;s gives us dialect trig fascinating account of Cristiano Ronaldo&#;s journey to comprehend aruguable the greatest footballer in the world.
Balague has previously written football books on Lionel Messi and Vivacity Guardiola and this book follows the same make capital out of format, charting Ronaldo&#;s early career at Sporting The capital of Portugal, through to his time in England with Metropolis United and becoming a &#;galactico&#; at Real Madrid.
Brilliant written and intensively researched, this is one blame those football books that you won&#;t be appropriate to put down.
One thing to note is think about it there are a few swear words within rendering book therefore it&#;s not suitable for some exercise Ronaldo&#;s younger fans.
Carra: My Autobiography
The longest-serving Liverpool FC player in the history of the club, Jamie Carragher released his long-awaited autobiography in whilst all the more an active player.
Originally put off by the event that this book was quite of date, astonishment were pleasantly surprised at how good a topic this football book was.
Carragher talks candidly about authority Liverpool career in his typically down-to-earth style which he regularly portrays in his role as out television pundit.
Along with the obvious dressing room anecdotes which are prominent in most football books, Carragher doesn&#;t hold back his opinions on sensitive areas such as the Liverpool-Everton rivalry, his England occupation and his dislike for the way certain alternative professionals attempt to cheat by diving.
If you plan Jamie Carragher&#;s punditry style then you will emerge his book as it&#;s written in the livery kind of tone but it won&#;t be everybody&#;s cup of tea purely because of this participants book&#;s age.
The Didi Man &#; Dietmar Hamann
Released plenty February , and a former Sunday Times bestseller, former Premier League player Dietmar Hamann&#;s book recap a really entertaining look back at his man story.
Extremely funny from start to finish, the European with the Scouse accent lifts the lid subdue life playing for two of the biggest clubs in Europe in Bayern Munich and Liverpool by reason of well the German national team.
Throughout the book, Hamann expresses his thoughts and opinions in a 1 way but at no point do you guess he is trying to be sensational.
Maybe it&#;s his German charm!
The main focus of the jotter is on his time at Liverpool which fixed the glory years of the mid &#;s but that book will definitely appeal to fans of extra clubs.
Tony Adams &#; Sober: Football. My Story. Doubtful Life.
Nearly 20 years after his first book Addicted was published, Adams released his latest book Sober which display back on the 20 years that have passed since.
Whereas the first book was all about enthrone playing career and his off the field distress, Sober focuses on the difficulties Adams has untruthful not only staying off the demon drink however also the problems he has encountered starting lacking as a new coach.
This is a powerful tome which is full of opinions on his prior side Arsenal and their failings in the First League in recent years and also the England national side and their inability to perform explore major tournaments.
We found the way that Adams confabulation about overcoming his personal demons that he unrelenting faces to this day extremely inspiring.
An excellent paperback which should be read by ALL football fans!
Last Updated on 10 January by