iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

If you enjoyed yesterday's Did You Notice? video, then you should read my column today which has much more detail about how Brighton were able to break the rules against Arsenal to set pressing traps in their 3-0 win at the AMEX. www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...

nytimes.com

Did You Notice: Brighton and Hurzeler broke the pressing rules against Arsenal

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Here's today's Did You Notice? video and it's all about how Brighton broke some of the unwritten rules about modern pressing in their win against Arsenal.

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Good strat imo... You've got 20 days of no PL to read my book...

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Today's video analysis is all about Iraola's Liverpool and why they look okay in some games and less okay in others. We break down the issues with the press vs Fulham and show why Liverpool's attacking play has also been less than stellar. youtu.be/usxIIyu5J6k

youtu.be

How Iraola's Liverpool will get better

YouTube video by The Athletic FC

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Emily✨ @emilyoram.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Anyway, I had a really interesting night last night with @christinamcmc.bsky.social listening to @jonmackenzie.bsky.social talk about his new book, The Spectre of Pep, in a really cool arches bar in Bermondsey, followed by a very nice margherita pizza next door.

A tv showing football on a wall covered in various bits of football ephemera

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David Rafferty @davidrafferty.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Ok, this is catnip to me. Football tactics discussed as philosophy, with Hegel and Gramsci and metaphysics thrown in. I’m only halfway through the episode. I have ordered the book. Some observations: pca.st/episode/140d...

pca.st

Jon Mackenzie, "The Spectre of Pep: How Guardiola Haunts Modern Football Tactics" (Seven Dials, 2026)

The Spectre of Pep: How Guardiola Haunts Modern Football Tactics (Seven Dials, 2026) by Jon Mackenzie A spectre is haunting European football. Watch almost any game, no matter the level, and you…

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Here's my analysis of the Manchester derby. You might have thought that the red card was the defining factor... I actually think there was a bit more to it than that

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Nick of the Northbank @nicktheinventor.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I’m listening to the excellent new football book by @jonmackenzie.bsky.social However, I have an issue which is the other day I watched a Stewart Lee gig on YouTube in which he referred to Pep as “Pet Gladioli”. Now every time his name is spoken on he audiobook I have to say “Pet Gladioli”.

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Tom Noble @tomnoble.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Tonight @jonmackenzie.bsky.social brought the Spectre of Pep to the city where Guardiola’s ghost looms largest, good old Manchester

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

If you're coming to our live show at the Leicester Square Theatre tonight, you can pick up *signed* copies of the book in the lobby BEFORE the show and DURING the interval but NOT AFTER the show has ended. Just a heads up.

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Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

One interesting aspect of Kai Havertz's roams towards the right wing is that he can attack the defensive line from a vantage point when Arsenal move the ball inside. Analysis of Havertz's right-sided roams against Chelsea. www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...

nytimes.com

How Kai Havertz’s movement makes Arsenal’s right side even more dangerous (Gift Article)

The German's roams to that flank repeatedly gave the Premier League champions an overload against Chelsea, which they took full advantage of

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

My Did You Notice? video this week is on Christos Tzolis and how he's helping Arsenal generate left-hand side threat. Enjoy!

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Jonathan Atkinson @lowwintersun.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Jon's excellent new book is now out and I "stuck it to the man" (and supported my local independent bookshop @darkpeakbooks.bsky.social) by buying it on audio book from @libro.fm! Maybe you should too? 🤔

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

In today's video analysis, Alex Barker and I try to complexify the narrative of the Spurs loss to Newcastle this weekend. Is Jaissle > De Zerbi fair? Did Spurs deserve to lose? And is simplicity really more valuable than complexity in the modern game? youtu.be/ifikfl43aLA

youtu.be

Why Spurs are losing (and Newcastle are winning)

YouTube video by The Athletic FC

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

youtu.be

Why Spurs are losing (and Newcastle are winning)

YouTube video by The Athletic FC

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Did You Notice Xabi Alonso's Chelsea are winning without the ball? A little bit of a dive into the strange phenomenon of Chelsea's extremely low posesssion in their first few games. Can it last? Could they even mount a title challenge like this? www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...

nytimes.com

Did You Notice: Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea are winning – without the ball (Gift Article)

Alonso is a coach who has a track record of evolving his teams but, for now, expect Chelsea to keep ceding possession

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

My first analysis video of the season is all about Hull vs Man United - breaking down how Hull caused them problems and asking if they've become too predictable. youtu.be/LE3V_03gxdE

youtu.be

Are Manchester United too predictable?

YouTube video by The Athletic FC

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Had a great time talking about the more theoretical aspects of the book with Tom here. Warning: Hegel is mentioned...

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Tom Williams @shirleymush.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This really was a speed run of a book that deserves more time, but I had a blast talking about it with @jonmackenzie.bsky.social, who I think has taken a step towards establishing himself in the pantheon of the greats alongside eg Goldblatt, Wilson.

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Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Since the beginning of last season, only Man Utd (8) and Chelsea (13) have scored more back-post goals than Everton (7) in the PL. Thierno Barry's header against Crystal Palace was one of them. Piece on why Everton are good at attacking the back post. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...

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Alex Zalben @azalben.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Dolly Parton, among a thousand other amazing things she did in her life, gifted over 330 million books to kids through her Imagination Library program. Her passing is a tremendous loss to the world, but you can support the program today to keep it going imaginationlibrary.com

imaginationlibrary.com

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library | USA, UK, IE, CA, AU

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth until they begin school in participating areas.

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Justin Wells @rollsonshabbos.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Really excellent discussion between @knoxharrington.bsky.social and @jonmackenzie.bsky.social on this week’s TAW free show. Aside from making me want to read Jon’s book, great points about how ideas are given gravity via how they enter the discursive record.

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Went into a little more detail about Liverpool's 'rest defence' problem in my first Did You Notice? column of the season over on The Athletic: www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...

nytimes.com

Did You Notice: Liverpool have a 'rest defence' problem

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

The first Did You Notice? of the season is live and it's all about Liverpool and rest defence

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

If you're sad that The Spectre of Pep audiobook isn't out until next week, we have a nice surprise for you... We recorded a Ring for Analysis episode where we read the introduction to give you a flavour... open.spotify.com/episode/3Oo8...

open.spotify.com

Ring for Analysis: How Pep Guardiola Haunts Football

Tifo Football Podcast · Episode

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Andrew Beasley @andrewbeasleyfootball.com · 21/08/2026

Not from Amazon, but yes! This book will be great, can't wait to read it.

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

You may have thought, given how hard I pushed the book, that it was already out. How wrong you were. Today is launch day! I hope you enjoy it!

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Have you purchased the hottest new release in football on Amazon this week?

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YankeeGunner @arsenalvisionpodcast.com · 18/08/2026

here's a teaser from today's episode www.patreon.com/arsenalvisio...

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Lloyd Naerger @naerger.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Keeping up my valiant effort to read more books in 2026. John Robins’ Thirst and Jason Schreier’s Press Reset: Ruin and Recovery in the Video Game Industry are two recent - if v.heavy - bangers. Up next, and hopefully not quite as emotionally crushing, The Spectre of Pep by @jonmackenzie.bsky.social

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YankeeGunner @arsenalvisionpodcast.com · 18/08/2026

🚨NEW for Patrons🚨 Has Mikel Escaped the Spectre of Pep? with @jonmackenzie.bsky.social A really interesting look at Mikel's tactical development and where he goes next! Topics below! www.patreon.com/arsenalvisio...

patreon.com

Has Mikel Arteta Escaped The Spectre of Pep? | ArsenalVision Podcast

Has Mikel Arteta Escaped The Spectre of Pep? by ArsenalVision Podcast on Patreon. Join ArsenalVision Podcast's community for exclusive content and updates.

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Rashidfreed @rashidfreed.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Great to be at the launch of @jonmackenzie.bsky.social new book The Spectre of Pep last night. The room was full of friendship, warmth & connection. Its a wonderful & typically generous touch that Jon's book is dedicated to our son, Omar, who took his own life three years ago. # NUFC fans check out-

Book cover of The Spectre of Pep by Jon Mackenzie

Dedication "To Omar and Om" on the inside cover of the book: The Spectre of Pep by Jon Mackenzie

Large pile of books at the book launch of Book cover of The Spectre of Pep by Jon Mackenzie. The cover is blue and features a picture of Pep Guardiola

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Finally got around to making a Liverpool season preview video. Iraola is facing a control problem from two directions and how he solves these problems will impact the success of Liverpool's season. youtu.be/L5V_WAGTG-0

youtu.be

Can Liverpool get back to the top under Iraola? | Season Preview

YouTube video by The Athletic FC

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Tom Curren @tomoc.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

finally got it in writing. If anyone claims to be @jonmackenzie.bsky.social’s best friend litigation will be involved

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Sam Tighe @stighefootball.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Congrats to my dear friend @jonmackenzie.bsky.social on the launch of a book which nearly killed him to write. Highly recommended 👊

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

This is the week my book is published so I thought I would share one of the highlights from the book as I explained it on the Brazilian Shirt Name podcast.

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

I spoke to Samee Siddiqi of the @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social all about my book. We got deep into the weeds a few times so this is definitely one for the nerds. You can listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/1A6V...

open.spotify.com

Jon Mackenzie, "The Spectre of Pep: How Guardiola Haunts Modern Football Tactics" (Seven Dials, 2026)

New Books Network · Episode

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Blue Moon Podcast @bluemoonpodcast.com · 15/08/2026

The full interview with @jonmackenzie.bsky.social from this week's podcast is now available as a video, as he and @davidmooney.co.uk discuss: 🔹 What influenced Pep 🔹 How Pep influenced modern tactics 🔹 Risk vs. Reward football 🔹 The post-Pep future Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v8D...

youtube.com

BLUE MOON PODCAST: How did Pep Guardiola influence what the Premier League looks like today?

YouTube video by Blue Moon Podcast

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David Beffert @dbeffert.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Similarly, the concept of Restdefense poses subconscious difficulties for English speakers. But not if you clearly explain the issue.

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David Beffert @dbeffert.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Here’s a small but telling example of the quality that shines through. So often discussion of the cyclicality versus progression of tactics clouds rhetoric issue as though there isn’t a resolution. Here’s a near resolution in clear language

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Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

If you missed out on the first Me in convo with Joe Devine event in London... there's another one!

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