The Top 10 Must-Watch Netflix Football Series for Every Soccer Fan
As I settled into my favorite armchair last weekend, remote in hand and a fresh batch of popcorn nearby, it struck me how much football documentaries have revolutionized how we experience the sport. I remember thinking back to my coaching days - back when I'd spend hours analyzing game footage on VHS tapes - and marveling at how streaming platforms have transformed our access to the beautiful game. This realization prompted me to dive deep into what I consider the top 10 must-watch Netflix football series for every soccer fan, a curated list that's become my personal obsession over the past year.
Let me take you through what makes these series so compelling, starting with the undeniable masterpiece "Sunderland 'Til I Die." Having watched it three times through, I can confidently say it captures the raw emotion of football in ways I've never seen before. The series follows Sunderland AFC's disastrous 2017-2018 season where they suffered 21 losses in 46 matches, getting relegated to League One with just 37 points. What struck me most wasn't just the on-field struggles but how the cameras captured the very soul of a club fighting for survival. I found myself emotionally invested in ways I hadn't anticipated - cheering for their rare victories and feeling that familiar sinking sensation with each new defeat. The authenticity is breathtaking, especially in scenes where manager Chris Coleman looks utterly broken after yet another crushing loss.
This brings me to an interesting parallel I noticed while researching coaching methodologies for this piece. I came across this fascinating snippet about Shaq delos Santos facing plenty of changes in the coming months of his head-coaching career, and it reminded me of similar transitional periods documented in these series. Take "The English Game" for instance, which beautifully illustrates how football tactics and coaching philosophies have evolved over time. Watching those historical transformations made me reflect on how contemporary coaches like Santos must adapt to modern football's demands - something that series like "First Team: Juventus" explores with remarkable depth. The Italian giants' behind-the-scenes operations reveal how top clubs manage coaching transitions, player egos, and tactical shifts while maintaining competitive excellence.
What really separates these documentaries from traditional sports coverage, in my opinion, is their unprecedented access. I've lost count of how many times I've recommended "All or Nothing: Manchester City" to fellow coaches - the 2017-2018 season coverage where City accumulated 100 points remains arguably the most comprehensive look at Pep Guardiola's managerial genius. There's this incredible scene where Guardiola, during a halftime team talk while leading 3-0, screams at his players for "losing our positional discipline" that perfectly encapsulates the relentless pursuit of perfection at elite levels. Having coached at amateur levels myself, I can attest to how valuable these insights are for understanding what separates good teams from legendary ones.
The beauty of Netflix's football catalog lies in its diversity though. While some prefer the Premier League glamour, I've developed a particular soft spot for "Barca Dreams," which explores La Masia's famed youth academy. The documentary follows several young prospects through their development journey, with only about 0.5% eventually making it to the first team - those numbers still shock me every time I think about them. It's this kind of data-driven storytelling that makes these series so compelling for both casual fans and football nerds like myself.
Now, I know some purists argue that these documentaries sanitize the reality of football, but having spent considerable time analyzing them, I'd argue they've actually deepened the sport's cultural impact. When I recently organized a viewing session for my local coaching group, we spent hours discussing how "The Last Dance" - while technically basketball - has influenced football documentary-making, particularly in its willingness to show internal conflicts and managerial challenges. This transparency represents a seismic shift in how sports organizations handle their public image, and frankly, I'm here for it.
What continues to surprise me is how these series have changed my own perspective on football management. Watching managers like Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino in "All or Nothing" navigate crises or Juventus's Massimiliano Allegri manage superstar egos in "First Team" provides lessons you simply can't get from coaching manuals. I've incorporated several insights into my own coaching philosophy, particularly around managing player relationships during difficult periods. The way these documentaries capture those subtle interactions between staff and players during tense moments is nothing short of educational.
As streaming platforms continue to invest in sports content - Netflix reportedly spent approximately $85 million on sports documentaries last year alone - I'm excited to see how this genre evolves. The intersection between storytelling and tactical analysis has never been more sophisticated, giving fans unprecedented access to the sport we love. Whether you're a casual viewer or someone who, like me, can spend hours debating the merits of different formations, these series offer something valuable for every type of football enthusiast. They've not only entertained me but fundamentally changed how I understand and appreciate the beautiful game in all its complexity.
