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The coronavirus pandemic is set to stop most football competitions around the world for the foreseeable future leaving many fans with time to kill.&nbsp;
Books are an ideal escape at times like this and thankfully there are many great reads on the world game available.&nbsp;

From insightful autobiographies to intelligent dissections of the game, now is the time to get to know the sport&nbsp;you'd usually just watch on a deeper level.&nbsp;

Read on for some of the best football books... 
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The best football books to read during coronavirus lockdown

An incredible true story of an American who embraces life in Italy with a newly promoted Serie B side.&nbsp;

The Miracle of Castel di Sangro

For a man of few words, this detailed biography manages to fill the substantial gaps when it comes to trying to understand the puzzle that is Eric Cantona.&nbsp;

Cantona: The Rebel Who Would Be King

A sad but important look at the life of German goalkeeper&nbsp;Robert Enke, who tragically took his own life at the age of just 32.&nbsp;

A Life Too Short

A fictional but nonetheless fantastic biography told from the perspective of&nbsp;Brian Clough as he attempts to take over from bitter rival Don Revie at Leeds United in 1974.&nbsp;

The Damned Utd

Just like the player himself, this biography is short, sharp and full of great insights into a glittering career.&nbsp;

Andrea Pirlo: I Think Therefore I Play

A fascinating plunge into tactics and the stark difference between two of the game's most prominent current managers.&nbsp;

The Barcelona Legacy: Guardiola, Mourinho and the Fight For Football's Soul

Peter Crouch pens a funny yet still intimate look back at his career. Full of some cracking anecdotes.&nbsp;

How To Be A Footballer 

A must read for any football fan interested in the nitty gritty behind the biggest transfers in the modern game.&nbsp;

Football's Secret Trade: How the Player Transfer Market was Infiltrated

A detailed look at the career of Thierry Henry written by a splendid storyteller in&nbsp;Philippe Auclair.&nbsp;

Thierry Henry: Lonely at the Top

Arguably the biggest enigma of the modern game, this expose of sorts digs up plenty of albeit questionable dirt on Jose Mourinho.&nbsp;

The Special One: The Secret World of Jose Mourinho

As the title suggests, Joey Barton's autobiography is focused on the more important matters of his troubled career and gives much-needed insight into one of the game's more controversial figures.&nbsp;

No Nonsense

A great fictional tale of an Australian player experiencing the turbulence of football and life in England.&nbsp;

Introducing Jarrod Black

Another fictional series based around manager Scott Manson that combines crime and the round ball to a thrilling effect.&nbsp;

January Window

A former Premier League player dishes the dirt on what life is really like in England's top-flight.&nbsp;

I Am The Secret Footballer: Lifting the Lid on the Beautiful Game

The ultimate football fan novel that brilliantly dissects the joy and pain of supporting a club.&nbsp;

Fever Pitch

The legendary Manchester United manager was always going to have a fascinating story tell and this book is just that.&nbsp;

Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography

Explores the dark underbelly of youth recruitment as it follows the lives of aspiring African footballers looking to turn their dreams into reality.&nbsp;

The Away Game: The Epic Search for Soccer's Next Superstars

A deep dive into El Clasico that explores its origins and why it's one of sports greatest rivalries.&nbsp;

Fear and Loathing in La Liga: Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Essential reading for any German football fan as&nbsp;Ulrich Hesse explains the ups and downs of the sport in the country.&nbsp;

Tor! The Story of German Football 

An in-depth look at how strategy, style and formations have all changed drastically over the years.&nbsp;

Inverting the Pyramid: The History Of Football Tactics

A brilliant read on the brutal reality of being a manager in the modern game and how many cope with the constant stress of being in charge of a club.&nbsp;

Living on the Volcano: The Secrets of Surviving as a Football Manager

The best football books to read during coronavirus lockdown | Goal.com

With the round ball action coming to a stop, now is the time to catch up on some reading about the beautiful game.