Inverting the Pyramid by Jonathan Wilson Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics, by Jonathan Wilson

Fascinating, enriching exploration of the history of football formations & the resulting tactical effect on results. It starts with the inception & codification of the game in England but diverges into the history of other countries' developments & innovations (guided by British coaches, some alienated by the buffoonish FA) that soon apparently left England behind. During these explorations some of the author's possible preferences for Latin America & Continental Europe over Britain seep through, with chapters on Sir Alf Ramsey's success, English clubs' 1980s European dominance & Graham Taylor being somewhat lightweight or esoteric in comparison. The chapters on other nations are excellent, with Sacchi's Milan being my favourite, especially as Sacchi had not been a pro player, adding depth to my memories of watching them as a youngster. The less appealing parts of the game, the 'dark arts' aka cheating, are also openly discussed illuminating their historical context. What especially resonated for me were comments from the game's inception 100+ years ago on the merits of passing the ball (Scotland) versus running more directly with it (England), a debate that continues today with complaints about Guardiola & system players, even though the positive results are quite clear, as they were then! 4/5. Completed 19 August, 2024.