Bill Shankly - Arguably Liverpool’s Greatest-Ever Manager

Here is the story of arguably Liverpool’s greatest-ever manager, Bill Shankly. Read how the Scotsman turned a second-division side into European Champions.

The story of arguably Liverpool’s greatest-ever manager! When Bill Shankly took charge of Liverpool in December 1959, they were a second-division side. There was a lot wrong at Liverpool football club at the time, from the training pitch that was in shambles to the at-best average squad of players Shankly had at his disposal. But he decided to be the pioneer for change.

In the 1961–62 season, Liverpool gained promotion to the top division; in the 1963–64 season, they won their first League title under the Scotsman; and in May 1965, they won their first FA Cup trophy. In his 15 years as Liverpool manager, Shankly won 3 league titles, 2 FA Cups, and a UEFA Cup as well.

He left the club in 1974 and paved the way for another legendary Liverpool manager, Bob Paisley. While Paisley is largely considered to have had just as big of an impact at the club, the seeds of his success were sown by Bill Shankly.

Here are 10 most popular Bill Shankly quotes -

  1. Form is temporary, class is permanent.
  2. Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.
  3. Football is a matter of life and death, except more important.
  4. I'm a people's man - only the people matter.
  5. The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they do not know the game.
  6. Aim for the sky and you'll reach the ceiling. Aim for the ceiling and you'll stay on the floor.
  7. Football is a simple game based on the giving and taking of passes, of controlling the ball and of making yourself available to receive a pass. It is terribly simple.
  8. If you are first you are first. If you are second you are nothing.
  9. A lot of football success is in the mind. You must believe you are the best and then make sure that you are.
  10. If Everton were playing down the bottom of my garden, I'd draw the curtains.

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