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Turning Points: Moments That Defined Football History
A deep dive into the archives that uncovers some of the most important stories from the annals of world football, showcasing those pivotal moments that have shaped the beautiful game.
From the author of the widely acclaimed The Social One: Why Jürgen Klopp Was a Perfect Fit for Liverpool.
Read and you will discover:
- How the FA’s decision to ban women’s football in 1921 changed the course of the whole game
- How a wrongly disallowed goal in 1973 catapulted Total Football to the world stage
- How Marc-Viven Foe’s death in 2003 led to crucial changes that saved Christian Eriksen’s life 19 years later
- How Frank Lampard’s ‘ghost goal’ against Germany in 2010 galvanised the debate on goal-line technology
And much more!
From Johan Cruyff and Arrigo Sacchi to David Beckham and David Silva, the book features a parade of some of the greatest football figures of all time, alongside the moments that changed perspectives, altered opinions and ultimately determined the course of world football.
From the author of the widely acclaimed The Social One: Why Jürgen Klopp Was a Perfect Fit for Liverpool.
Read and you will discover:
- How the FA’s decision to ban women’s football in 1921 changed the course of the whole game
- How a wrongly disallowed goal in 1973 catapulted Total Football to the world stage
- How Marc-Viven Foe’s death in 2003 led to crucial changes that saved Christian Eriksen’s life 19 years later
- How Frank Lampard’s ‘ghost goal’ against Germany in 2010 galvanised the debate on goal-line technology
And much more!
From Johan Cruyff and Arrigo Sacchi to David Beckham and David Silva, the book features a parade of some of the greatest football figures of all time, alongside the moments that changed perspectives, altered opinions and ultimately determined the course of world football.
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2025
5 people want to read
About the author
Marios Mantzos
3 books6 followersMarios Mantzos is a journalist and author from Patras, Greece. He has worked for various newspapers, websites, podcasts and sports associations and has dedicated his life to writing about football.
"The Social One: Why Jürgen Klopp Was a Perfect Fit for Liverpool", first published in Greek in 2020 and in English by Pitch Publishing in 2023, was his first ever book, before "Turning Points: Moments That Defined Football History" which is about to be published by Pitch in 2025.
He is a life-long Liverpool FC fan and long-distance runner for Greek club Apollon Smyrnis.
"The Social One: Why Jürgen Klopp Was a Perfect Fit for Liverpool", first published in Greek in 2020 and in English by Pitch Publishing in 2023, was his first ever book, before "Turning Points: Moments That Defined Football History" which is about to be published by Pitch in 2025.
He is a life-long Liverpool FC fan and long-distance runner for Greek club Apollon Smyrnis.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 16, 2025
It has a lot of interesting history of game changing moment or football transfers that changed football. However, some are a little stretch like the wrong referee decision...
November 29, 2025
Marios Mantzos's "Turning Points" is an absolute must-read for any football enthusiast. It’s an insightful analysis that moves past the obvious legends (like Cruyff, Lampard, Ranieri) to examine the truly systemic and often overlooked moments that have fundamentally reshaped the sport as we know it today.
The author expertly connects seemingly disparate events, demonstrating how both drama on the pitch and critical decisions off it have had lasting, tectonic effects. He provides fresh perspectives on well-known moments, while illuminating crucial "turning points" that often go unmentioned.
Crucially, the book spotlights the massive ripple effects of moments such as the FA's 1921 ban on women’s football—a decision with enormous social and historical consequence—and the tragic death of Marc-Vivien Foé in 2003, which led directly to the life-saving changes in modern medical protocols.
It’s a concise, well-researched, and engaging journey, proving that the sport is a complex, evolving system defined by more than just goals. An essential addition to any sports history collection.
The author expertly connects seemingly disparate events, demonstrating how both drama on the pitch and critical decisions off it have had lasting, tectonic effects. He provides fresh perspectives on well-known moments, while illuminating crucial "turning points" that often go unmentioned.
Crucially, the book spotlights the massive ripple effects of moments such as the FA's 1921 ban on women’s football—a decision with enormous social and historical consequence—and the tragic death of Marc-Vivien Foé in 2003, which led directly to the life-saving changes in modern medical protocols.
It’s a concise, well-researched, and engaging journey, proving that the sport is a complex, evolving system defined by more than just goals. An essential addition to any sports history collection.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews