Lennart Johansson

Lennart Johansson - the Robin Hood of World Football The founder of the Champions League, Lennart Johansson was UEFA's longest serving president, remaining honorary president until his death in 2019. In 1998, he contested the FIFA presidency, losing to the infamous Sepp Blatter. From his working class roots, as a boy cycling from his home to watch AIK at the Rasunda Stadium, he rose to become not only one of the most powerful men in football but also one of the most honest. In an era of big money and corruption, he believed that the beautiful game should be for everyone, and he worked tirelessly to support the less affluent players and clubs. He consistently refused to submit to bribes and is named in Andrew Jennings' book The Dirty Game (2015) as one of the few powerful men in football to be completely free from corruption. It was also he who brought English clubs back into European competitions, saying 'England needs Europe and Europe needs England.' Lennart Johansson believed in fair play and integrity, and his empathy, honesty and enthusiasm made him a leader who left a deep mark on the history of football. This, his autobiography written with the help of his friend Soeren 'Sulo' Karlsson, has been translated for the first time into English, and tells his story in his words. The book includes  images from Lennart Johansson's private collection. In accordance with his wishes, his share of the royalties will go to his beloved club, AIK.