The Real Madrid Way: How Values Created the Most Successful Sports Team on the Planet

Steven Mandis has provided the ultimate sports novel for casual sports fans, and especially those interested in working in any sports organization.What I appreciated most was that the book not only greatly emphasized the importance of a clear mission statement and organizational values, but also dives into more technical aspects (financial information, social media) to provide support and evidence of these claims. The principles and different strategies outlined in this book are not only transferable to sports teams, they can also be applied to maximize the operational efficiency of any business. Mandis also provides numerous comparisons to U.S. sports teams, to help american fans understand his analysis with limited European soccer knowledge. It is no surprise that this book has received praise from some of the top sports leaders and business minds in the world. As a sports fan, I find myself constantly referencing this book and its principles when watching my favorite teams struggle on the field and especially when this leads to a lack of trust and respect with its fan-base.

As a big fan of European soccer, who follows Real Madrid closely on a regular basis, reading the book was a unique experience for me. I was so appreciative of the truthfulness and dedication that went into this book. It is not only about Real Madrid but also about the change that professional sports is going through, and how the sports business discipline is not only an academic/theoretical one, but is practiced in full by the greatest sports organizations on the planet. Steven Mandis dives into the complexities of running a world-scale sports organization and how it maximizes profits and realizes its full potential, but also how it is maintaining its greatest asset - not Ronaldo, but the fans and community.For any football fans and sports business enthusiasts, this book is a must read.

Not a bad read if you’re into the financial side of top flight football club. It’s a very good study in the finances of one of the world’s premiere sides!

Great job on delivery

This is a must read for not only any sports fan, but also anyone who would hold a leadership position in almost any capacity. Having had the opportunity to not only read the book but also listen to Mandis speak about issues regarding culture and values, I find Mandis' message to be extremely important. In an age where focus seems to be on numeric metrics and black box style thinking, it is imperative that organizations do not forget the importance of often times intangible and difficult to measure issues such as culture.

No matter which sports you like better, this books will give you a different perspective on sports and on your favorite team.Professor Mandis will walk you through all the details that brought Real Madrid to be one of the most valuable teams in the world. Not only you will understand the core values, the identity and culture of Real Madrid, you will also be able to define the ones of your favorite club.If you are passionate about sports, after reading this book you will be fascinated.

Really appreciating the amount of information and all the points covered...but we may get confused with a mix of information that everybody football fans know and deep knowledge from inside the structure. Everything is a bit messed up and put at the same level. At least, it gets clear that the author is a fan of Zidane

As an avid sports fan who is interested in management culture, this book offers everything! I don't follow soccer, yet I was still unable to put it down until the end. I'm not sure what else I can add that hasn't already been said by Billy Beane, David Stern and Sir Alex Ferguson, but this is a really enjoyable read that draws the reader in. This should be mandatory reading for anyone in business as a lesson on how to properly run an organization!