Pitch Publishing Ltd Mastering the Premier League: The Tactical Concepts behind Pep Guardiola's Manchester City

I have by no means finished the book yet, but having read a considerable amount I am extremely impressed. I didn't know what to expect coming into it, whether it would talk about Guardiola's past, or generic roles, but this book is extremely specific and straight to the point. It talks about individual players in the Manchester City system and their roles, along with vaguer topics such as '''playing out from the back''. The book is certainly accurate to the Pep Guardiola system and reading it, you can really see correspondence to the way City play. As a Leeds United fan, there are also many similarities to the way my club play under Marcelo Bielsa, a man who influenced Guardiola's tactical approach significantly. The book is very illustration based, with many diagrams and then in-depth descriptions of them and what they show. It's easy to follow and easy to understand. If you're remotely interested in football or the tactical side of things, especially a brand of football as unique and fantastic as Pep's, then I'd highly recommend this book. (That cover is also fantastic).

This book gave a great insight to Pep’s tactical concepts and principles and how he approaches the game. I’d also recommend Marti Perarnau’s books on Pep; Confidential and revolution for an even deeper look into his methods and philosophy. Pep is a fascinating person as well as a manager. Although he is a sensational manager to study and look at his tactical approach to the game on a deeper level. His perfectionist drive means he is never satisfied and is always looking to change and alter his tactics, like he proved at Munich. He has this undeserved reputation that he has been gifted magically talented teams, but look what he did with Kimmich, Fernando, Lamb, Alba and Walker for example. He is a tactical genius.

I read the book within a few sittings, which says a lot for how much I enjoyed this. The (frequently used) diagrams are essential to helping the reader picture the way Guardiola likes his team to play, but the prose alone is simple to follow yet detailed enough to satisfy tactics nerds. Man City fans would love it, as would Guardiola fanboys. I’m in the latter camp. Excellent work, highly recommended.

Nice item. Awful club 😉

Great flow throughout the book and bite size tactical concepts