Our guide to the best books for football fans at Christmas 2024

Whether you're looking to buy a football-mad friend or loved one a meaningful gift this Christmas or if you're struggling with ideas for the work Secret Santa, you can't go far with a football book.

Each year, different books for football fans are released from works of fiction to autobiographies meaning there is typically something for everyone.

Below, we run through the five best books for football fans at Christmas 2024 and explain why they stand out from the crowd.

Best books for football fans – our top five

Alex Ferguson: My autobiography

Although Sir Alex Ferguson was a figure largely hated by anyone not associated with Manchester United or Aberdeen during his time as a professional football manager, now that he is long retired, his story is one of the most fascinating and intriguing in football history.

His long-awaited autobiography was released shortly after his retirement in 2013 and features an open and honest account of his journey from toolmaker to the greatest football manager in the world.

His fiery relationship with some of the game's biggest players are explained from the Scot's perspective while readers also gain an insight into his mindset before some of the biggest matches of his career.

Football Cliches

The Football Cliches podcast by Adam Hurrey has taken off exponentially over the past decade and this book effectively gives football fans a whistlestop tour of what makes it so unique and hilarious in equal measure.

In this book, Hurrey talks through some of the most bizarre, yet widely accepted and used, cliches and phrases in football. The sequel to this book, ‘Extra Time Beckons, Penalties Loom' was released in September 2024 but this one is widely accepted as the better of the two.

Remarkable Football Grounds

To avoid confusing this book with others of a similar name, the full title is ‘Remarkable Football Grounds: An Illustrated Guide to the World’s Perfect Soccer Pitches.' If we ignore the use of the word ‘soccer' in its tagline, this is a superb run-through of the best football stadiums in the world.

What makes this book so unique is that it doesn't limit itself to just the biggest and most famous ground in the world such as the Camp Nou and Wembley. There are also ground guides on stadiums you've never heard of from all corners of the globe, including one that's design was inspired by a crocodile.

How to win the Premier League

This is the perfect football book for anyone interested in the date revolution that has swept English football in recent times. The best football teams in the country over the past decade have all had one thing in common – they've taken a data-first approach behind the scenes.

This book explores why and how elite football clubs have taken this approach and how certain data models have become the secret weapon to winning the Premier League. Award-winning writer, Daniel Finkelstein, has labelled it ‘the best book on football' he has ever read.

“How to Win the Premier League” by Ian Graham has been one of the most talked-about books this year.

It's rare to gain such insight from an industry expert.

Here is a summary of the book, organised into six main branches, each with its subcategories. pic.twitter.com/HBp7SP0tvQ

— Liam Henshaw (@HenshawAnalysis) December 2, 2024

Kammy: My unbelievable life

There aren't many people in football who are universally loved by Chris Kamara is a man who has fans all over the country. His passion for the game saw him become a firm fan favourite during the peak of SkySports' Gillette Soccer Saturday and earlier this year he released his autobiography.

The book tells the story of how Kamara became a professional footballer before then becoming one of the best match reporters in the game. It's not all fun and game, though, with Kammy also opening up about the racism he has faced throughout his life and his current battle with apraxia.