FOOTBALL WISDOM & WIT Ian Holloway's Hilarious Take on the Modern Game
Ian Holloway's latest book embodies the essence of one of football's most vibrant personalities, which explains its exceptional effectiveness. "The (mostly) Football World According to Ollie" is a delightful rollercoaster ride through the beautiful game, told through the unmistakably frank and funny lens of a man who's seen it all. Fresh off his recent success as Swindon Town's manager, where he's been showing he still has plenty of magic left in the dugout, Holloway tackles 100 different football topics with his trademark wit and wisdom. What makes this book special isn't just the breadth of subjects covered—from VAR to the Saudi Professional League— but how Holloway manages to weave his personal experiences and philosophical musings into each topic with surprising depth. The book really shines when Holloway reflects on his greatest achievement — taking Blackpool to the Premier League. As he's previously noted, it was his "best achievement by a mile and favourite" moment, and the passion with which he recounts this fairy tale story remains undimmed. His analysis of modern football is equally sharp, though. Whether he's dissecting the trend of hiring unknown German youth coaches or questioning the impact of American ownership, Holloway's observations are both entertaining and insightful. What sets this book apart from typical football memoirs is its willingness to venture beyond the pitch. Holloway's diversions into topics like the Antiques Road Show and dad dancing might seem random, but they work because they're genuinely part of who he is. His discussion about raising three deaf daughters adds a powerful personal dimension that reminds us there's much more to "Ollie" than his famous quips and one-liners. The writing style mirrors Holloway's personality — direct, unfiltered, and refreshingly honest. At 288 pages, published by Reach Sport, it's a substantial read that never feels heavy. His takes on modern football's hot-button issues are particularly engaging, offering both laughs and legitimate criticism of where the game is heading. One potential criticism is that some readers may find Holloway's stream-of-consciousness style somewhat chaotic. But that misses the point: this book is meant to be as unpredictable as one of his press conferences, and it's better for it. Having managed nearly 1,000 professional games, Holloway has earned the right to share his thoughts however he pleases, and the football world is richer for it. The novel isn't just a book for football fans — though they'll certainly love it. It's a window into the mind of one of the game's most unique personalities—a man who's never lost his ability to see the humour in the beautiful game while understanding its deeper significance in our lives. Whether he's ranting about VAR or sharing life lessons learnt from his remarkable journey, Holloway's latest offer is a reminder why he remains one of football's most beloved characters. ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48Delivered to You 2nd Week, May 2025 Some publishers release new titles early, so our ETA above could change. Published: May 1, 2025 Price: £11.99 Hardcover: 288 pages ISBN-10: 1916811205 ISBN-13: 978-1916811201 Dimensions: 216 x 135 (mm)
British Pound Sterling
