The Damned United (2009)

The best film yet made about soccer management. Michael Sheen plays Brian Clough through the 44 days he lasted at Leeds United, cutting back to his earlier success at Derby County. It is all about the job off the field: his open contempt for the players' style and his predecessor, the friction in the locker room, and an ego that drives a manager and wrecks him in the same breath. Sheen moves between tyranny, determination and arrogance without sliding into impression. The film keeps its eye on the office and the touchline rather than on the games, which is a blessing, because it never has to fake a match to make its point.