Welcome back to Last Word On Football’s look at some of Liverpool’s most iconic figures. From players to managers, we look at who has an impact during their time at the club that no Liverpool fan will ever forget. Next up is Liverpool’s greatest manager and servant to the football club, Bob Paisley.
Paisley was a true great of Liverpool spending a total of 53 years at the club in various roles. From arriving as a player to leaving as their greatest ever manager, Paisley certainly built a legacy at Liverpool no fan will ever forget.
Icons Of Liverpool: Bob Paisley
Bob Paisley: The Playing Years
Paisley’s long association with the Reds began in 1939 when he arrived as a player. However, due to the second world war, Paisley had to wait until the 5th of January 1946 to make his debut. His eight years playing for the Reds brought just one piece of silverware, a first division title in 1947. After 253 appearances for the Reds, Paisley retired from professional football.
Transition Into Coaching
Following his retirement, Paisley remained at the club taking on several roles including physiotherapist and reserve coach, but became assistant manager when Bill Shankly arrived in 1959. Shankly and Paisley would form a dream partnership designed to get Liverpool back amongst Europe’s elite. As assistant to Shankly, Paisley helped Liverpool win ten pieces of silverware including three first division titles and a UEFA Cup.
Paisley developed as a coach and built good relationships with the players and the Liverpool hierarchy. Following Shankly’s retirement in 1974, the club immediately wanted Paisley to take over. Despite his reluctance to replace his friend, Paisley did eventually become Liverpool manager.
His First Season In Management
The transition from number two to number one took time for Paisley with success limited to just a Community Shield in his first season at the club. However, the foundations were put in place for the success that would follow in the coming season.
The 1975/76 season brought Paisley his first league title and his first taste of European success as they collected the 1976 UEFA Cup. This would begin Liverpool’s dominance of domestic and European football. Paisley also collected the first of six Manager of the Year awards following their success.
Continued Success
The 1976/77 campaign brought Paisley his second league title and saw Liverpool take the crown as the kings of Europe. More success followed as Liverpool defended the European Cup the following season and collected the Super Cup and their third community shield in four seasons.
Paisley continued to collect major silverware winning at least one trophy every season. Following the completion of the 1977/78 season, Liverpool would collect a further four league titles, three league cups and another European cup.
Paisley’s Final Season as Manager
The 1982/83 would prove to be Paisley’s final season in the dugout. Paisley’s final season concluded with his sixth league title as Liverpool manager and his third league cup.
After 535 games, 20 pieces of silverware and nine glorious years in the dugout, Paisley retired as Liverpool manager in May 1983. He departed the dugout a true hero and loyal servant who the fans idolised. The year would conclude with his sixth Manager of the Year award and an OBE from the Queen.
However, his affiliation with the club was not over as following his retirement from management, Paisley moved upstairs and became a director. His role as director lasted nine years before officially leaving the club in 1992 ending his 53-year association with the Reds.
Bob Paisley: Icon Does Not Come Close
When Paisley arrived in 1939, nobody expected the impact he made across five decades. He loved his time on and off the pitch and certainly is one of Britain’s best football managers. He took Liverpool to heights fans could only dream off.
Icon does not come close to what he did for Liverpool Football Club. He worked hard throughout his spell bring joy and happiness to players, senior figures and most importantly the fans. Paisley built an amazing legacy at the club and certainly contributed to Liverpool becoming one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
He departed a true legend and is still fondly remembered by fans and players alike for his achievements. Bob Paisley is Liverpool royalty and a British football icon.
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