>In "HH: Helenio Herrera – Football’s Original Master of the Dark Arts", acclaimed author Richard Fitzpatrick uncovers the sensational story of Helenio Herrera, the legendary football coach whose tactics and psychological warfare changed the face of European soccer. Revered as Il Mago, Herrera led Inter Milan to back-to-back European Cup victories and perfected the infamous catenaccio system, redefining Italian football in the 1960s. Fitzpatrick’s meticulously researched biography dives deep into Herrera’s obsession with mental toughness, his controversial use of performance-enhancing drugs, and the chilling fallout from Giuliano Taccola’s tragic “white death”. Through exclusive interviews with icons like Fabio Capello, Sandro Mazzola, Ian St. John, and Denis Law, Fitzpatrick paints a vivid portrait of a man both brilliant and haunted—a philanderer, trash-talker, and serial winner who courted controversy at every turn.
This book is more than a biography; it’s a gripping journey through the shadowy corridors of football’s past, revealing the dark arts that shaped the beautiful game. Fitzpatrick skilfully explores Herrera’s rise from La Liga champion with Atlético Madrid and Barcelona to his infamous reign at Inter and Roma, set against the turbulent backdrops of Francoist Spain and la dolce vita Italy. "HH" is an essential read for anyone fascinated by the intrigue, scandal, and untold stories that lie behind football’s greatest triumphs and tragedies.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
This book will be delivered a few days after the publishing date.
Published: Febuary 12, 2026
Publisher: Visit Bloomsbury
Price: £20
Hardback: 240 pages
ISBN-13: 9781399425100
Dimensions: 234 x 153 (mm)
