9 Best Football Coaching Books
The best football coaching books, ranked by how many expert sources recommend each one, with notes on tactics, development, leadership and where to begin.
Our take
Football coaching involves designing useful practices, helping players make decisions and building relationships that support learning. Most books here address association football, also called soccer. Bill Walsh's The Score Takes Care of Itself comes from American football and contributes leadership ideas rather than soccer tactics. Across the list, the main choice is between practical training material, broader coaching principles and books that explain how the game is analyzed.
Deliberate Soccer Practice offers small-sided games that create decisions for players, while The Modern Soccer Coach concentrates on positional responsibilities. Gold Dust examines the human connection behind effective coaching. For a different perspective, Inverting the Pyramid traces tactical history and The Expected Goals Philosophy explains a way to assess chances beyond the scoreline. Newer coaches can begin with Making The Ball Roll for a broad youth-development framework, then choose a practice book that fits their team's level and the problems they see during games.
9 books · 8 sources · Last updated
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How to choose from this list
Skip to the full rankingIf you're starting in youth soccer: Making The Ball Roll → Deliberate Soccer Practice
If you want stronger relationships with players: Gold Dust → Every Moment Matters
If you want positional training ideas: Skills & Strategies for Coaching Soccer → The Modern Soccer Coach
If you want tactical and analytical context: Inverting the Pyramid → The Expected Goals Philosophy
If you want leadership ideas from American football: The Score Takes Care of Itself
The 9 books, ranked
Ranked by how many expert sources name each book. Ties go to the book more people recommend.
For coaches who want to understand where tactical ideas came from and why they changed. Wilson connects formations with people and football cultures, though the historical narrative provides context rather than ready-made training sessions.
What it's about
Jonathan Wilson traces the development of soccer tactics through changing formations and the coaches who spread new ideas. His history connects different national traditions, examining how individual skill, collective organization, and exchanges between football cultures shaped the modern game.
Every Moment Matters
For coaches who want to make communication, practice habits and team culture more intentional. O'Sullivan draws lessons from several sports and coaching settings, though the broad leadership framework needs translating into your own soccer sessions.
What it's about
O'Sullivan draws on interviews with coaches, athletes and specialists to examine effective coaching. The book considers practice design, relationships, leadership and team behavior, encouraging coaches to connect everyday interactions with the environment they create for their athletes.
For coaches interested in leadership standards and the habits behind team performance. Walsh's American-football experience makes preparation and management concrete, though soccer coaches should read it for transferable leadership ideas rather than tactical or session-planning instruction.
What it's about
Bill Walsh shares leadership lessons drawn from transforming the San Francisco 49ers. His reflections connect demanding preparation, effective management, and the treatment of people with building an organization capable of sustained success.
Also recommended by
8 people
Jack Dorsey recommended this bookJack Dorsey
"He took a team that was at the very very bottom, and he brought them to the top." - Jack Dorsey
Jack Dorsey's recommendation of this book 
Keith Rabois recommended this bookKeith Rabois
Keith Rabois recommended this book on a Medium blog post.
Keith Rabois's recommendation of this book 
Sam Altman recommended this bookSam Altman
One of Sam Altman's answers to "What are some of the best books you recommend for a young startup founder?"
Sam Altman's recommendation of this book 
Ryan Holiday recommended this bookRyan Holiday
"Even if you’ve never watched a down of football, you’ll get something out of this book." - Ryan Holiday
Ryan Holiday's recommendation of this book 
Noah Kagan recommended this bookNoah Kagan
"Keep your lockers / desks clean and it'll reflect in other parts of your life." - Noah Kagan
Noah Kagan's recommendation of this book 
Ron Conway recommended this bookRon Conway
"Words of wisdown from [the author] to inspire, inform, and enlighten leaders in all professions." - Ron Conway
Ron Conway's recommendation of this book +2
More recommendations
- Vinod Khosla
"Among the best books! A way of living, working & commitment to excellence." - Vinod Khosla
- Justin Kan
"Changed my life!" - Justin Kan
- Vinod Khosla
For soccer coaches who want players making decisions inside realistic practice games. Power supplies adaptable small-sided activities instead of isolated repetitions, though you still need to adjust constraints and difficulty to your players' age and understanding.
What it's about
Power presents fifty small-sided soccer games designed to develop decision-making through realistic play. Adaptable practices cover possession, attacking, defending, goalkeeping and transitions, using rule changes and constraints to encourage problem-solving rather than isolated technical drills.
For coaches who want to improve the relationships that make instruction effective. David and Keith Mayer emphasize rapport and understanding individual players, though readers looking for tactical diagrams or a complete season of sessions will need another book.
What it's about
David and Keith Mayer explore the human relationships behind effective coaching. Stories and lessons focus on rapport, empathy and understanding individual athletes, asking how coaches can connect with players and develop lasting relationships alongside technical instruction.
For aspiring youth soccer coaches who want a broad framework for developing players. Power connects coaching ideas with everyday work on the training ground, though the wide scope offers less detail on individual practices than Deliberate Soccer Practice.
What it's about
Ray Power examines youth soccer coaching through training, tactics, psychology, and communication. Examples from coaches and development programs accompany discussion of age-appropriate sessions and planning, helping readers consider how technical, physical, and social development shape their work with young players.
For coaches and analysts who want to judge chances more carefully than a final score allows. Tippett introduces the reasoning behind expected goals, though the analytical focus offers limited help with designing practices or teaching individual skills.
What it's about
Tippett introduces expected goals as a way to assess football performance beyond match results. He traces the metric's development and adoption by bettors, scouts, clubs and broadcasters, explaining its role in analysis and player recruitment.
Skills & Strategies for Coaching Soccer
For coaches who want a broad reference covering individual skills, team tactics and preparation. Hargreaves provides more technical breadth than the leadership books here, though the older drills and examples need adapting to your players and coaching approach.
What it's about
Hargreaves presents drills and coaching guidance for developing individual skills and team play. Passing, dribbling, heading and goalkeeping lead into attacking and defensive tactics, formations and set pieces, alongside session planning, preparation and team management.
For soccer coaches who want training linked to the responsibilities of specific positions. Curneen connects role-focused exercises with the wider team, though the older examples need adjusting to your formation, playing model and available training time.
What it's about
Curneen organizes soccer training around the demands of different playing positions, from defenders to forwards. Explanations, drills and session plans show how coaches can develop role-specific skills while connecting individual responsibilities with the team's wider approach.
Sources
- 1
10 Great Books About Football Coaching & Tactics
jobsinfootball.com
- 2
10 Books That Will Change How You Coach Football
360tft.co.uk
- 3
100 Best Football Coaching Books of All Time
shortform.com
- 4
Soccer Coaching Books
goodreads.com
- 5
Recommended Reading
reddit.com
- 6
Best Football Coaching Books
fcd.football
- 7
10 Books All Football Executives, Coaches, Scouts, Players and Fans Should Read
briandoddonleadership.com
- 8
Best Football Coaching Books
leadershipandsport.com
Edited by
Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.
Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shape MRB and its growth.
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