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The Immortals: The Season My Milan Team Reinvented Football
When Arrigo Sacchi’s Milan destroyed Steaua Bucharest 4-0 in the 1989 European Cup final, everything changed. Studded with the world-class talents of their legendary three Dutchmen - Ruud Gullit, Marco Van Basten and Frank Rijkaard – they threw off the shackles of Italian football’s defensive traditions to pioneer a modern, high-pressing and boldly attacking approach. Sacchi revolutionised football and altered the DNA of the next generation of coaches, including Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. This is the story of the crowning achievement of one of football’s greatest-ever teams – told by the man who built it. This is the story of The Immortals.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2019
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373 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 5, 2023
3.5 - great insight into some incredible players, you can clearly see Sacchi’s influence on modern football. The book isn’t warts and all, quite a glossy account of their season. He is borderline sycophantic about Berlusconi, perhaps not surprising.
June 21, 2022
The best football book I have ever read, and quite possibly the best book I have ever read.
As a fan of Italian football and the AC Milan team of Gullit, Rijkaard, Baresi, Maldini and particularly Van Basten, this was a fascinating read.
The timing 87-89 was also a period of that side that I was less familiar with, especially the 88-89 European Cup campaign, so it was interesting to learn more about that on a factual basis.
However, the insights from Arrigo Sacchi, whose book this is, added so much. The fact he kept detailed diaries ensured the information was crisp and free from being affected by time. Sacchi was not only a great coach but also a very intelligent man, and his insights and the way he relates them are as intriguing as the insights themselves.
Ghost writer Luigi Garlando expresses Sacchi's words in a brilliant and engaging way that seems very consistent and portrays a coherent voice that makes you feel like he has captured Sacchi's voice, or internal monologue. This also seems to survive the translational into English too.
The way Sacchi peppers in details of his past management career and gives prominence to stories about journeyman grounds the story and puts his achievements in perspective, as well as giving credit and a national platform to those he worked with along the way and helped shape the coach he became.
Similarly, the chapter on Borghi or Rijkaard is a brilliant deep dive into the signing and how it came about rather than just simply saying 'We signed Rijkaard'. It's this level of detail that readers want and that all too often, the authors themselves think are inconsequential and not of interest.
Sacchi also refused to gloss over criticism and expresses any negative thoughts he had honestly as part of the overall narrative as he wants to give an accurate accounts. He never does this in a salacious, gossipy way designed to sell books, but in an analytical way that explores who the information contributes to the overall journey.
Oppositely, he gives a hugely positive account of Silvio Berlusconi, his character, their relationship, and his contribution to the success. This is really refreshing and an antidote to the usual negativity that surrounds such political figures and club presidents.
Backpage Press publishing have a great habit of picking books and subjects to bring to the English-speaking market and this might just be their best yet.
As a fan of Italian football and the AC Milan team of Gullit, Rijkaard, Baresi, Maldini and particularly Van Basten, this was a fascinating read.
The timing 87-89 was also a period of that side that I was less familiar with, especially the 88-89 European Cup campaign, so it was interesting to learn more about that on a factual basis.
However, the insights from Arrigo Sacchi, whose book this is, added so much. The fact he kept detailed diaries ensured the information was crisp and free from being affected by time. Sacchi was not only a great coach but also a very intelligent man, and his insights and the way he relates them are as intriguing as the insights themselves.
Ghost writer Luigi Garlando expresses Sacchi's words in a brilliant and engaging way that seems very consistent and portrays a coherent voice that makes you feel like he has captured Sacchi's voice, or internal monologue. This also seems to survive the translational into English too.
The way Sacchi peppers in details of his past management career and gives prominence to stories about journeyman grounds the story and puts his achievements in perspective, as well as giving credit and a national platform to those he worked with along the way and helped shape the coach he became.
Similarly, the chapter on Borghi or Rijkaard is a brilliant deep dive into the signing and how it came about rather than just simply saying 'We signed Rijkaard'. It's this level of detail that readers want and that all too often, the authors themselves think are inconsequential and not of interest.
Sacchi also refused to gloss over criticism and expresses any negative thoughts he had honestly as part of the overall narrative as he wants to give an accurate accounts. He never does this in a salacious, gossipy way designed to sell books, but in an analytical way that explores who the information contributes to the overall journey.
Oppositely, he gives a hugely positive account of Silvio Berlusconi, his character, their relationship, and his contribution to the success. This is really refreshing and an antidote to the usual negativity that surrounds such political figures and club presidents.
Backpage Press publishing have a great habit of picking books and subjects to bring to the English-speaking market and this might just be their best yet.
September 16, 2024
The Immortals: The Season My Milan Team Reinvented Football is a crisp recount of when mere men were elevated into football folklore. A young, dynamic tactician rising in the coaching ranks of Italian football caught the eye of a billionaire, marking the start of an era that would change football forever. The book draws heavily from Arrigo Sacchi's meticulous 'logbook', providing an insider’s perspective on the iconic players who donned Milan’s famed red and black. Sacchi provides an up-close and personal view of some of the greatest legends to have kicked a ball, humanizing these globally adored individuals through revelatory anecdotes. The exaltation of players and adulation is muted. Instead, readers are presented with his unapologetic and often controversial take on the events leading up to Milan's triumphant European Cup victory in Barcelona in 1989.
March 21, 2022
Drawing from the log books he kept at the time, Sacchi tells the story of the season in which his AC Milan team won the first of two back-to-back European Cups (what is now the Champions League) in 1989, defeating FC Steaua București in the final. Sacchi's Milan was one of the greatest club sides ever assembled, and Sacchi himself was a tactical innovator who, along with Valeriy Lobanovski, influenced much of modern football, including the German pressing systems of Ralf Rangnick and (via Wolfgang Frank) Jurgen Klopp.
The writing itself is short, concise, and engaging.
The writing itself is short, concise, and engaging.
December 28, 2021
Enjoyable short read on the AC Milan team that conquered Europe in 1989.
It focuses on the One season in Europe.
Simply written and doesn't go into much detail, it would have benefited from better ghost writing. It skims over most areas l, the benefit is speed and you can read it over a few days.
It contains notes from Sacchi'a notebook.
The most interesting part was the focus on pressing and the detail of the training.
It focuses on the One season in Europe.
Simply written and doesn't go into much detail, it would have benefited from better ghost writing. It skims over most areas l, the benefit is speed and you can read it over a few days.
It contains notes from Sacchi'a notebook.
The most interesting part was the focus on pressing and the detail of the training.
June 8, 2023
Terrifically readable - the football ideology, the talented individuals and the jigsaw-like team selection reveal an inspirational coach. Lots of the edges have been lathed off, however, and the hero-worship towards Chairman Silvio Berlusconi is tough to palate. Nevertheless, mould-breakers are always fascinating and modern footballs focus on the high press will surely have been influenced by this Milan side.
May 3, 2023
Amazing book, for those are inside football’s training it is amazing book, with lots of insights about the concepts and principles of one best football minds of all times. With simple words and precise about e everything it is a superb travel inside of moments that take Sachi’s Milan achieve their great moments.
January 9, 2022
Interesting book from a revolutionary coach even though it leans more towards an emotional recalling of events rather than an insightful one. Last chapter is an excellent piece of sports-writing all on its own and worth revisiting
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2025
A nostalgic revisit of the great Milan team that made me such a huge fan.
The writing is not that great and doesn’t flow that well, but you can feel Sacchi’s enthusiasm on how greatness was achieved.
The writing is not that great and doesn’t flow that well, but you can feel Sacchi’s enthusiasm on how greatness was achieved.
December 5, 2021
Flew through this in a day, really excellent book, detailing Sacchi's revolutionary ways. Might be the best football book that I've read.
April 26, 2022
Too short!!
Found this really interesting but would had loved to have known more.
I guess the one season approach keeps it focussed on quality, any more would have seen repetition.
Found this really interesting but would had loved to have known more.
I guess the one season approach keeps it focussed on quality, any more would have seen repetition.
October 19, 2022
Drip incredible
August 22, 2023
Incredibly readable book by one of footballs true visionaries.
Would have liked a bit more tactical information but really interesting nonetheless
Would have liked a bit more tactical information but really interesting nonetheless
October 8, 2023
I’m so happy I found this book, really goes into the background a lot. Even though Sacchi was an inter fan he still brought Milan glory
November 22, 2024
Stay humble mr Sacchi. With VAR most of the countless goals cancelled for offside would now be valid. But indeed you were 5 years ahead of any other coach
December 21, 2024
Mükemmel bir kitap. Sacchi de biraz kendine yontmuş olsa da mevzuları, çok iyi anlatmış ve çok iyi bir düşünce altyapısına sahip olduğunu belli etmiş
August 23, 2025
The best football book. An unbelievable insider story of the Milan powerhouse of the 1980s and 1990s. Utterly fantastic.
October 30, 2025
Absolutamente obrigatório para fãs de futebol e em especial interessados pela área dos bastidores dos treinos.
June 23, 2021
Un pazzo. Un furioso, arrogante, pesante, pedante, preciso, ansioso, paranoico. Un rompicazzi. In una parola: Arrigo. Il più grande e, nonostante i successi, incompreso genio della storia del calcio italiano e forse mondiale. Qui racconta nelle sue parole (e con l'aiuto del bravo giornalista Luigi Garlando) la prima gloriosa Coppa dei Campioni della più grande squadra di calcio di sempre. Lo stile è estremamente scorrevole ma assolutamente non banale, e il profeta di Fusignano parla, fiero di sè e di quanto raggiunto, come sempre senza peli sulla lingua e senza nascondersi dietro un finto alone di modestia. Paradossalmente, insegna l'umiltà: tutto ciò che ha raggiunto e che ha fatto raggiungere non è merito del talento (che pure in quel Milan debordava), ma della incomparabile quantità di lavoro che ha messo e ha fatto mettere ai suoi uomini. Lavoro duro, sfiancante, massacrante, psicologicamente quasi insostenibile per dei ragazzi che, alla fine, sono pur sempre ragazzi e quindi, a differenza di questo assolutopazzouomo, di lavorare in una maniera così sfrenata e irriducibile spesso non ci avevano voglia. Ma, grazie a quel lavoro, a quegli insegnamenti, non solo sono diventati i più grandi di sempre, ma molti di loro hanno proseguito nei trionfi anche da allenatori. Assolutamente necessario per ogni appassionato di calcio, uno dei più bei libri sul gioco che per molti è una religione.
December 3, 2023
„AC Milan. Nieśmiertelni” to opowieść o niezapomnianym dla kibiców Milanu sezonie 1988/1989 zakończonym triumfem w Pucharze Europy. Arrigo Sacchi stworzył wtedy jedną z najlepszych drużyn w historii futbolu, a dzięki lekturze możemy poznać tajniki tego wyjątkowego sukcesu.
Fragmenty z trenerskiego dziennika Sacchiego, które zostały po raz pierwszy ujawnione w książce „AC Milan. Nieśmiertelni”, stanowią prawdziwy skarb dla miłośników piłki nożnej. To nie tylko zapiski z tamtych czasów. To także nieoceniona lekcja zrozumienia umysłu i podejścia do gry jednego z najwybitniejszych trenerów w historii futbolu. Dziennik Arrigo Sacchiego to nie tylko zapisy wyników meczów, ale szczegółowe analizy taktyczne. Czytając te fragmenty, mogłem zagłębić się w myśli trenera podczas przygotowań do meczów, jego podejście do rywala, a także decyzje personalne związane z ustawieniem drużyny.
Książka „AC Milan. Nieśmiertelni” to nie tylko opowieść o jednym z najważniejszych okresów w historii AC Milan, ale także o ewolucji samego futbolu. Arrigo Sacchi pokazuje nam, że piłka nożna to nie tylko wyniki, ale także emocje, pasja i piękno gry. Dla fanów Milanu i wszystkich miłośników futbolu ta książka jest niezbędną lekturą. Książka pozwala zrozumieć, dlaczego Sacchi i jego drużyna pozostają na zawsze w pamięci kibiców jako nieśmiertelni.
Cała recenzja na blogu Przeczytane: https://przeczytane.net/ac-milan-nies...
Fragmenty z trenerskiego dziennika Sacchiego, które zostały po raz pierwszy ujawnione w książce „AC Milan. Nieśmiertelni”, stanowią prawdziwy skarb dla miłośników piłki nożnej. To nie tylko zapiski z tamtych czasów. To także nieoceniona lekcja zrozumienia umysłu i podejścia do gry jednego z najwybitniejszych trenerów w historii futbolu. Dziennik Arrigo Sacchiego to nie tylko zapisy wyników meczów, ale szczegółowe analizy taktyczne. Czytając te fragmenty, mogłem zagłębić się w myśli trenera podczas przygotowań do meczów, jego podejście do rywala, a także decyzje personalne związane z ustawieniem drużyny.
Książka „AC Milan. Nieśmiertelni” to nie tylko opowieść o jednym z najważniejszych okresów w historii AC Milan, ale także o ewolucji samego futbolu. Arrigo Sacchi pokazuje nam, że piłka nożna to nie tylko wyniki, ale także emocje, pasja i piękno gry. Dla fanów Milanu i wszystkich miłośników futbolu ta książka jest niezbędną lekturą. Książka pozwala zrozumieć, dlaczego Sacchi i jego drużyna pozostają na zawsze w pamięci kibiców jako nieśmiertelni.
Cała recenzja na blogu Przeczytane: https://przeczytane.net/ac-milan-nies...
August 26, 2019
Confesso che sono di parte, ma un libro davvero emozionante e coinvolgente. La storia fantastica di un gruppo fantastico guidato da un manager straordinario. Sacchi, coadiuvato da Luigi Garlando, usa una tecnica narrativa ricca di anedotti, alcuni inediti, che si intrecciano al di là del tempo secondo una logica tutta sacchiana. L’ultimo capitolo fa riflettere e non poco... Se non altro, questo libro mi ha lasciato un’eredità: ora conosco la differenza tra patacca e sborone 😂
July 10, 2020
Ottimo libro. Ben scritto, facile da leggersi. Permette una rapida cavalcata a fianco del Milan 1988-1989 che si concluderà con la vittoria della Coppa dei Campioni.
Stagione vissuta dagli occhi del protagonista, Arrigo Sacchi, che ne è stato artefice dalla panchina.
Tocco di classe la presenza degli appunti originali fotocopiati dal diario che Sacchi teneva durante la stagione.
Stagione vissuta dagli occhi del protagonista, Arrigo Sacchi, che ne è stato artefice dalla panchina.
Tocco di classe la presenza degli appunti originali fotocopiati dal diario che Sacchi teneva durante la stagione.
August 5, 2021
It was before my time (started to follow football in 1994), but I knew this team, and those players, so for me amazing read to get closer to those events and superb team.
All little details, and philosphical attitude towards football is simply extraordinary. Simply the best team in the XX century (as chosen by UEFA)
must read to any football fan.
All little details, and philosphical attitude towards football is simply extraordinary. Simply the best team in the XX century (as chosen by UEFA)
must read to any football fan.
August 18, 2019
All’inizio pensavo ad una copia della biografia di Sacchi, poi mi sono ricreduto ed ho apprezzato la cavalcata sino alla conquista della Coppa!
Per chi ha vissuto quei giorni, una lettura per riviverli con un po’ di sale e pepe
Per chi ha vissuto quei giorni, una lettura per riviverli con un po’ di sale e pepe
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August 31, 2023Pozostawiam bez oceny bo byłabym bardzo nieobiektywna. AC Milan to mój ulubiony klub, więc ta książka jest dla mnie takim pięknym przypomnieniem jak wielkim byliśmy klubem. Polecam zapoznać się z tą pozycją, nie tylko fanom Milanu czy Calcio, ale również wszystkim, którzy kochają piękną piłkę.
July 23, 2019
Libro che trasuda di emozioni, storia della piú devastante squadra che ci sia mai stata raccontata da uno strepitoso maestro di calcio (e di vita).
December 26, 2021
Un libro che ho divorato, assolutamente speciale per un tifoso milanista
May 10, 2021
Davvero un libro interessante. Mi piace l'idea di gioco di Sacchi, questo è il vero calcio.
February 2, 2022
Gouden tijden met onze grote 3, leuk inzicht in Sacchi’s werkwijze!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews