Studying for a history degree is a fantastic thing to do but it does somewhat throw you out of kilt when it comes to reading for pleasure. By the end you're more used to getting through reams of journal articles and leafing through the back end of the yellowing pages of lesser-opened library books than
It's a long while since I stuck on the daft gown and picked up my degree now though so that really is a poor excuse and, in an attempt to encourage me to engage in a greater level of reading, I've decided to share what I've learned from each of the books I finish in 2016 - with an aim to manage one a month if possible.
So, starting off 2016 is Pep Confidential by Marti Perarnau, a book I've kindly being leant and been shamefully slow to get on with.
This, on face value, is the story of Pep Guardiola's first season in charge of Bayern Munich in 2013/14.
I say 'on face value' because the book is about more than that in truth. It's a portrayal of the most sought-after manager in world football and a fascinating insight into the thinking of a man seemingly bound for English football in 2016.
For non football fans, it's a study in leadership styles and adapting from the working practices of one culture to another, as Pep arrives in Germany following a long association with Barcelona and takes on a side that won three major trophies in the previous year.
It's perhaps this latter point that is most interesting as the book unfolds. Most outsiders would think it was a tough task to follow Jupp Heynckes after he won the treble and Guardiola constantly pushes himself to challenge and adapt his team to play in new ways and formations to test their ability. That they do this and wrap up the title in record time is remarkable.
Guardiola comes across as hard working to the point of being obsessive, constantly studying opponents and dreaming up new ways for his side to dominate possession and win. His observations - told through Perarnau - are fascinating and sometimes surprising. He doesn't, for example, like the label of 'tiki-taka' that many used to describe his style at Barca, regularly describing it as 'sh*t'.
It's clear that wingers Robben and Ribery, for example, are a lot more susceptible to embracing the new playing style than many outsiders may think. Philipp Lahm, meanwhile, comes across as every bit as brilliant as you might expect.
It's strange really that you find yourself feeling quite sad as the book races towards its conclusion, knowing full well that Guardiola's Champions League campaign ends in ignominy with a thumping defeat at the hands of eventual winners Real Madrid. Still, in a way this game merely serves to strengthen Guardiola's resolve. He allowed himself to get sucked into going against his principles in that game and vowed never to do so again. It spurs him on to polish off the campaign with a cup final win against rivals Dortmund in which Guardiola is at his tactical best, shuffling an injury depleted squad in mesmerising ways to outfox Jurgen Klopp and take home the trophy.
What does the book tell us about the way Pep would manage in England? Mainly that he won't be afraid to change and innovate and that he won't try to turn his new side into a carbon copy of his old Barcelona team. Journalists and opposition managers alike will be left scratching their heads trying to figure out what he's up to next - with full backs, midfielders and defenders all redefined in formations that can change several times within a game. It could be fascinating for geeks like me.
Turning back to the book, it's also worth pointing out the role Perarnau plays here. Given unprecedented access into the work of a modern football manager he doesn't disappoint, His journalistic skills shine out with short sharp, page turning chapters and in the way he lets the events talk for themselves, never making the story about him. Having had to wait until the end of his year-long project to share his observations, the temptation must've been there to blow his own trumpet a little but that never occurs. He's our eyes and ears in the Guardiola camp and he does a superb job of it.
Tactics, management techniques and the inner workings of top level football clubs are all explored here. If any of those interest you, you won't be let down by searching out a copy of Pep Confidential.
