Cultured Football #212
Sacchi Football Reinvention. Red Bull Identity Return. Another Club in Paris. Real Kashmir Struggle. MLS Home Threat.
Arrigo Sacchi on reinventing football in Italy, his bond with Silvio Berlusconi and knocking back Diego Maradona
By Emmet Gates for Destination Calcio
In a candid birthday interview, Arrigo Sacchi reflects on his transformative tenure at AC Milan, where his innovative 4-4-2 pressing system broke the mold of 1980s football, challenging the era's tactical stagnation. He also reveals he declined an offer from Diego Maradona to coach Napoli, underscoring his belief in team cohesion over individual brilliance.
Bonus Read: The Philosopher Who Coached with His Heart
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César Luis Menotti didn’t just coach footballers, he coached human beings.
A return to Red Bull DNA
By for
Following Marco Rose's departure. RB Leipzig's recent resurgence under interim coach Zsolt Löw marks a return to their high-octane roots. Löw has reintroduced the club's signature aggressive pressing and vertical play, leading to a series of dominant performances. This tactical shift has revitalized players just as their renewed commitment to their foundational philosophy has reignited their season and reaffirmed their identity.
A second Paris football club has reached France's first division
By Denis Ménétrier for Le Monde
There’s a new billionaire in Paris as LVMH founder Bernard Arnault took over Paris FC a few months back and then saw them win promotion to Ligue 1. There they will get to face their (very close) neighbours and, whilst their ambitions will initially be much different from those of Paris St Germain, they might change very soon.
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Real Kashmir FC: Football in the world's most militarised zone
By for
Kashmir has, sadly, been very much in the news in recent days. In the heart of this conflict-ridden region, Real Kashmir FC emerges as a beacon of hope, uniting a divided region through the universal language of football. Founded in 2016, the club has defied the odds, providing a platform for local talent and bringing international attention to a region often overshadowed by strife. Theirs is not just a story about sports but about resilience, community, and the transformative power of the beautiful game.
American investment in soccer will soon face a stern opponent: itself
By Leander Schaerlaeckens for The Guardian
American investors have poured billions into European football, lured by global exposure and more accessible club valuations than those in Major League Soccer. However, this overseas expansion is now circling back to challenge the domestic game. As American-owned European clubs increasingly stage matches and marketing campaigns in the U.S., they’re vying for the same fans, sponsors, and media attention as MLS. This intra-American competition is reshaping the soccer landscape, blurring traditional boundaries and compelling MLS to defend its turf against its own countrymen's global ambitions..
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In Case You Missed It Here’s Last Week’s Most Read: Is there a limit to Brighton's transfer strategy?
By Stefan Bienkowski for Bienkowski's Bletherings
Brighton & Hove Albion's much-lauded recruitment model - identifying undervalued talent, developing it, and selling at a premium - has been wildly successful and transformed them into a side no one takes lightly. Yet is there a limit to this model? Can they keep repeating the trick? Evidence elsewhere suggests not.
Thanks for the mention!
Many thanks for mentioning my article, Paul. It’s always a pleasure!