Helenio Herrera: Football’s Original Master of the Dark Arts Author : Richard Fitzpatrick ISBN-13 : 9781399425100 Publisher : Bloomsbury Sport Guideline Price : £20Helenio Herrera will not be judged a good man when you close the pages of Richard Fitzpatrick’s admirable biography (overdue for English readers) of a remarkable figure in the history of football. It’s a riveting ride both on and off the pitch, beautifully crafted and impressively researched by Fitzpatrick. HH came from abject poverty and reached the pinnacle of his profession, yet he remains a largely unsympathetic figure. In fact, he often smartly benches his subject for chunks of the story. It was a time when footballers and clubs were part of their cities, more embedded in the social fabric, and consequently more likable.

Source: The Irish Times March 21, 2026 15:03 UTC