Topic: Bob Paisley 10 years past..

[Terry De Niro]

Bob Paisley, the most successful English club manager died ten years ago. What are your memories of the ex Liverpool boss?


Paisley's Managerial Record

3 European Cups

6 First Division league titles

1 UEFA Cup

1 European Super Cup

5 Charity Shields

3 League Cups

Bob Paisley managed Liverpool between from 1974 to 1983 winning six first division tiles and leading the club to it’s first European cup triumph in 1977 and another two in 1978 and 1981.

Paisley signed some of Liverpool’s most famous players including Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen. His record of three European Cup titles has never been equalled by a manager of any other British club. Unlike Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley was never really comfortable with the media preferring to let his teams do the talking, perhaps because of this lack of profile many Liverpool fans feel he didn’t receive the official recognition that other managers like Sir Matt Busby did.

While six league championships is a tremendous record Paisley’s greatest achievement was probably leading Liverpool to three European Cups, this at a time when winning either the title of retaining the European Cup was the only way of qualifying for the next seasons competition.

Bob Paisley was born on January 23rd 1919 in Hetten-le-Hole, County Durham. Paisley played for amateur side Bishop Auckland before joining Liverpool in May 1939. During the war he served with the Desert Rats in North Africa and Italy where he drove through Rome on a tank when Italy was liberated in June 1944. Paisley returned to Rome 33 years later to lead Liverpool to victory over German side Borussia Monchengladbach to clinch his first European Cup.

Paisley’s time as a player for Liverpool included a bitter moment when he was left out of the side for the 1950 Cup Final against Arsenal, despite scoring in the semi-final against Everton. Liverpool lost to Arsenal and the FA Cup was to remain one of the few trophies that eluded Paisley as both a player and manager.

Bob Paisley captained Liverpool before retiring as a player in 1954, the same year the club were relegated to Division Two. He then joined Liverpool’s coaching staff, having already completed a correspondence course in physiotherapy. When Bill Shankly arrived in 1959 he asked Bob and the rest of the backroom staff to stay on.

When Bill Shankly resigned in 1974 the Liverpool board persuaded Paisley to take the job even though he didn’t really want it. The next nine years were to be the most successful in the club’s history.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2006/02/13/sport_paisley_tenyears_feature.shtml

[Alan_F]

The greatest ever without question. Looking back at his reign it all seemed so effortless.

You wonder what Bob would have made of the idea that Ferguson and Wenger are going through "periods of re-building". With Bob, players came in and players moved on and the success continued. The only manager to have won three European Cups, he could spot talent in the most unlikely places and rebuild teams without missing a beat.

Shanks had the passion and the drive to raise Liverpool from the second division but Bob created the legend of Liverpool as the dominant force in domestic and  European fiootball that still resounds today.

If Rafa comes even halfway close to matching his acheivements we will be blessed...

And by all accounts a decent modest man who puts some of today's managers to shame.

[RedGeo]

A true gent who tooka good team and made it great.  I remember when Shanks announced he was to retire, I was a kid and didn't know much about the backroom staff and was gutted at the prospect of a Shankless Liverpool. Step in Bob Paisley,the man was a genious, no matter what player came in, they would play for him. ' Sir' Bob never hogged the limelight, instead leaving the players to enjoy their moments of glory.
I'll never forget the joy his teams brought me through the years and his like may never be seen again, and YES it still pains me that he has not been given a knighthood.
Simply the best.

[edeyj]

He was the best, no doubt.

Bob, of course, epitomised LFC. He was a true champion in every sense of the word. Some of the current Premiership managers would do well to learn from his example...no names, no pack drill (but you don't have to be a genius to work out at least 2 or 3!).

I remember seeing a documentary about him when he was finishing his managerial reign at Liverpool. We were playing Aston Villa at home and they presented Bob with a farewell gift of a silver tea service (I think). He was so surprised and pleased about the fact that they would think to do that. Summed him up as a man really.

It's a shame that he didn't receive a knighthood but he will always be the greatest in my eyes.

[WOOLTONIAN]

Stuff the Knighthood

erect a statue "Bill and Bob" is long overdue

Fondest memory of Bob : Rome 77

[zigackly]

Bob Paisley was the greatest ever football manager, never mind English.

The BBC are two-faced wankers though aren't they? Wasn't so long ago they were hailing Taggart as "the best ever British manager". Grrrrr. Get my hackles up, they do.

[RedGeo]

Stuff the Knighthood

erect a statue "Bill and Bob" is long overdue

Fondest memory of Bob : Rome 77

I just get pissed off that certain other managers get recognised for their acheivements while surely the most deserving of all is overlooked.  But yes a statue would be awesome.
BTW......The Glory that was Rome.......What a night!