Book reviews | When Saturday Comes

Character building

Who better to teach sportsmanship to children than a cartoon version of Jose Mourinho, argues David Craik

Racing towards a La Liga title, threatening to be the first man to win three European Cups with different teams, having English clubs clamour for his signature next season – what more is there for José Mourinho to feel good about? Is not it obvious? His next challenge is, of course, to rival Hong Kong Phooey, Yogi Bear and Ivor the Engine for the title of best cartoon series ever.

Sunday, April 1st, 2012 - Book reviews

Recalling Harry

Harry Redknapp’s success at Portsmouh will always be tainted by the club’s subsequent struggles, writes Colin Farmery

February 2012 was a more eventful month than most for fans of Portsmouth. While their club was lurching towards a second administration in two years, Harry Redknapp and Milan Mandaric, the former manager and chairman, were on trial for tax evasion charges relating to their time at the club.

Sunday, April 1st, 2012 - Book reviews

Trial by television

The lighthearted interview that prompted Fabio Capello’s resignation seemed innocuous to viewers in Italy, writes Matthew Barker

Cinque Minuti di Recupero is one of those quick filler shows Italian state broadcaster RAI puts out after the main evening news bulletin. It is a no-frills feature, in which the presenter interviews a footballing personality for five minutes. The show has enjoyed a few decent exclusives in its time, possibly because of its tight format.

Sunday, April 1st, 2012 - Book reviews

Word of mouth

Zlatan Ibrahimovic spares no one in his hugely popular, highly readable and uncompromising autobiography, writes Marcus Christenson

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, it turns out, tells a story the way he plays football: he pulls no punches. The player, who has kung-fu kicked his Milan team-mates Rodney Strasser and Antonio Cassano, punched Jonathan Zebina and reportedly kicked Mark van Bommel on the shins several times during a half-time interval, published his autobiography in Sweden at the end of last year. It did not disappoint.

Sunday, April 1st, 2012 - Book reviews

Staying in the locality

Alan Fisher on Tottenham Hotspur’s plans for a new ground

Given the swingeing cuts in the Post Office over the past decade, the opening of a new branch is newsworthy wherever the location. But for the residents of Tottenham, it has a special meaning. Not only is it a valuable civic amenity restored six months after it was destroyed in the riots that tore through London last summer, it is also a significant symbol of recovery. The community in Tottenham is striving to rebuild its emotional strength as well as the bricks and mortar of a scarred High Road.

Sunday, April 1st, 2012 - Book reviews