Ian Holloway’s “The (mostly) Football World According to Ollie” is an absolute triumph, blending razor-sharp football insights with the irrepressible humour and honesty that make Holloway such a singular figure. What stands out most is his ability to turn even the most well-trodden football debates—VAR, foreign ownership, coaching trends—into something refreshingly original, thanks to his unique perspective and fearless candour.
The book’s heart lies in Holloway’s moving recollections, especially the euphoric rise of Blackpool to the Premier League. His passion is palpable, engrossing readers in the emotional highs and lows of a truly remarkable career. Yet, it’s his willingness to venture beyond football—sharing personal stories, family challenges, and everyday observations—that gives the book depth and warmth few sports memoirs achieve.
Holloway's style of writing is refreshingly unpredictable, lively, and utterly authentic. The result is a read that feels like a pint with the man himself—full of laughter, wisdom, and the occasional tangent that somehow makes perfect sense. Holloway doesn’t just write about football; he writes about life and does so with a voice that’s impossible not to love.
The book’s heart lies in Holloway’s moving recollections, especially the euphoric rise of Blackpool to the Premier League. His passion is palpable, engrossing readers in the emotional highs and lows of a truly remarkable career. Yet, it’s his willingness to venture beyond football—sharing personal stories, family challenges, and everyday observations—that gives the book depth and warmth few sports memoirs achieve.
Holloway's style of writing is refreshingly unpredictable, lively, and utterly authentic. The result is a read that feels like a pint with the man himself—full of laughter, wisdom, and the occasional tangent that somehow makes perfect sense. Holloway doesn’t just write about football; he writes about life and does so with a voice that’s impossible not to love.