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English Football Legends Series

The most successful English manager of all time, Bob Paisley spent almost half a century at Liverpool, serving the club as player, physiotherapist, coach, and finally as manager.

Bob Paisley

Clubs:
Liverpool

Honours:
League Championship, 6
League Cup, 3
European Cup, 3
UEFA Cup, 1

Playing Career

Paisley began his career at non-League Bishop Auckland, before transferring to Liverpool in May 1939.

However, the outbreak of World War II delayed the start of his Anfield career, and he only made his debut on 5 January 1946.

In the first post-war season, 1946-47, he helped Liverpool to their first league title in 24 years, making 34 appearances.

He remained a fixture in the side over the next three seasons, helping the Reds to the 1950 FA Cup final, although he was dropped for the final itself.

Paisley was made club captain the following season, and continued playing until 1954, when he joined the back room staff as a self-taught physiotherapist.

He was later appointed coach of the reserve team.

Coaching Career

Liverpool at the time were a struggling Second Division side, but the arrival of new manager Bill Shankly, in December 1959, soon changed that.

One of Shankly's innovations was to introduce coaches meetings in a converted store room. Paisley was a founder member of Liverpool's famous Boot Room, along with Joe Fagan and Reuben Bennett.

Under Shankly's management Liverpool won promotion back to the top-flight and re-established themselves as a force in the game.

Three league titles, two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup followed over the next fifteen years, but following the 1974 FA Cup final victory, Shankly shocked the football world by announcing his retirement.

Managerial career

Shankly is believed to have wanted Jack Charlton as his successor, but the Liverpool board decided to keep matters in-house, and turned to the unassuming Paisley.

They would be handsomely rewarded for their decision.

In his first year as manager (1974/75), Liverpool finished second, the following year they were champions, kicking off the era of Liverpool dominance at home and in Europe.

During Paisley's nine seasons in charge, the Reds won six League titles, 3 League Cups, 1 UEFA Cup, and significantly, the club's first 3 European Cups.

They were also league runners-up twice, and FA Cup runners up on one occasion - the FA Cup being the only trophy to elude Paisley.

During this period Bob Paisley received 6 Manager of the Year awards and remains the only manager to coach three European Cup-winning sides (1977, 1978 & 1981).

"Mind you, I've been here during the bad times too - one year we came second."
Bob Paisley

Retirement, Death and Legacy

Paisley retired in 1983, and handed the reins to fellow Boot Room veteran, Joe Fagan.

He continued to serve Liverpool as a director, until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 1992.

Bob Paisley died on 14 February 1996. He was 77 years old.

After his death, Liverpool installed the Paisley Gates, at the Kop End entrance to Anfield, as a tribute. The design of the gates features the 3 European Cups Liverpool won under Paisley.

He was made an inaugural inductee to the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

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