Description
The Swans
Book Summary
This book narrates the incredible feat of Swansea City, a team that went from being the bottom club in English professional football to reaching glory in the Premier League. Through the figure of Spanish manager Roberto Martínez and a group of Hispanic players, the work documents the tactical revolution that implemented possession football in a British club. The reader will discover a story of resilience, strategy, and passion, complemented by player Àngel Rangel's personal diary about his debut in the top flight.
What is it about?
In the 2002-2003 season, Swansea City occupied the last place in English professional football, mired in a sporting and institutional crisis. The arrival of Roberto Martínez as manager marked a turning point by implementing a style of play based on ball possession, characteristic of Spanish football, in an environment traditionally alien to this philosophy. The work chronicles the club's rise from the fourth division to the Premier League, culminating in the winning of the League Cup. It includes a foreword by Martínez himself and first-person testimony from Àngel Rangel, offering an intimate perspective on that epic journey.
Main Themes
- The tactical revolution of possession football in the British context.
- The sporting resilience of a team in a desperate situation.
- The integration of Spanish players into English football.
- The leadership and strategic vision of Roberto Martínez.
- The epic journey of rising from the lower divisions to the elite.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at football fans interested in stories of resilience and tactical transformation. It will also be of great interest to followers of Swansea City, British football, and those who wish to understand the impact of the Spanish style on the Premier League. Readers who enjoy tales of sports management and personal diaries of footballers will find this a particularly attractive work.
What this book offers
- It offers a detailed chronicle of one of the most unique feats in contemporary English football.
- It provides a privileged view of the locker room and tactical planning through a player's diary.
- It allows readers to understand how a change in playing philosophy can transform an entire club.
- It combines sports analysis with the human and emotional testimony of its protagonists.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Gómez García-Ovies, Pablo
- Publisher: LIBROS DEL KO, SLL
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Biography and true stories, Football, Diaries and memoirs
- Collection: VARIOUS
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: July 2013
- Number of pages: 432
- Weight: 460 g
Editorial Review
This is a work that combines the rigor of sports reporting with the emotion of a tale of resilience. The inclusion of Àngel Rangel's personal diary provides testimonial value that enriches the narrative, while Roberto Martínez's foreword places the reader in the context of the tactical revolution. It is a recommended read for those looking to understand how determination and a philosophy of play can change a club's destiny.