bob paisley the greatest british manager - soccer24-7.com Forums

liverbird04 · Sep 5 2005, 10:57 AM

The Daily Telegraph's Henry Winter explains why Bob Paisley is the number one British manager of all-time and why current Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is following in his footsteps.

When you get into a conversation with other journalists about the greatest British manager of all-time the names of Brian Clough, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jock Stein will inevitably crop up.

But for me the number one has to be Bob Paisley.

What Paisley did for Liverpool and the success he brought to the club was astonishing. It will probably never be surpassed. He led the club to three European Cups and was a real character to go with it. He was not only a fantastic manager, he was a fantastic man as well.

You have to remember what Shankly achieved before him in setting things up for Liverpool and building the foundations. But Bob Paisley took Liverpool to greater heights and made them what they are today - a truly brilliant football club.

Henry Winter
Current position: Daily Telegraph, been there 11 years.

Previous jobs: I jumped ship to the Telegraph from the Independent during the World Cup in the USA in 1994.

Number of years covering Liverpool: Since 1986 on and off, when Kenny Dalglish scored the goal to win the league at Chelsea in his first season as player-manager.

Paisley had the backing of the board but was also an expert reader of players' minds and he got them to play just the way he wanted. Players wanted to sign for Paisley and they wanted to play for him. He had that ability to inspire all around him and is just an absolute legend.

Paisley was a great believer in not worrying about the opposition and knowing the opposition's weakness. Like Shankly before him Paisley didn'tbuild the opposition up to be super human and he quietly went about making sure the opposition knew they were facing the number one team in the country.

The best manager's are the best man manager's - Clough, Ferguson, Stein, Paisley and Dalglish. You can even argue a case for Herbert Chapman and what he did for Arsenal in the 1930's but Paisley's record is just phenomenal. He led Liverpool to three European Cups, six league titles, a UEFA Cup and three League Cups. I mean, you just can't argue against that, it is awesome.

Contrary to the opinion of others I would certainly put Paisley ahead of Clough as the greatest British manager ever. Outside of Liverpool I think people do recognise Paisley's achievements but even if they don't I bet you he wouldn't be bothered. I think the most important thing for a Liverpool manager is to have the respect of the Kop. I think if you've got that then every Liverpool manager can go to his grave with a little smile knowing he has done his bit.

I don't quite buy into this myth that Liverpool aren't appreciated by the rest of the country. I think they are because most sports journalists around my age grew up in an era where Liverpool dominated. They were dominant and played good football as well.

Henry Winter
Most memorable match covering Liverpool: Champions League final, Istanbul 2005. It was the worst stadium I've ever been in and thought it was an insult to Liverpool to have to play there. The Liverpool fans made such a noise though and in terms of pure drama you can't beat that night. To come back from 3-0 down after being played off the park by Crespo and Kaka was amazing. From a journalistic perspective, in terms of pure sporting drama nothing will beat that night.

Best player seen in your time covering the Reds: Kenny Dalglish and John Barnes.

Team you support: Well, I'm not a Liverpool fan in the true sense but it is a club I greatly admire and have a lot of admiration for.

The great thing about Paisley was he produced a team who played wonderful football and won nearly everything in sight. To give an example, many manager's have produced beautiful teams. Remember the great Holland side of the seventies? They played total football and were a joy to watch, but they never won anything.

When I talk to Liverpool fans the conversation that mostly comes up is 'should Paisley have been knighted?' The answer is Paisley should have been knighted without a doubt, there's no arguing that point but that's the world of football we live in for you. I mean it took a long time for them to honour the England football team of 1966. You look at Bobby Moore for example, the greatest English player ever, who was allowed to sadly go to an early grave without a knighthood.

It's a travesty that Paisley's achievements were never recognised in this way but I'm sure he, and every Liverpool fan, would not swap one of those three glorious European Cups for the honour of being called a 'Sir'.

As every Liverpool manager since 1983 will testify, following in the footsteps of Paisley is an awesome task. His phenomenal record raised the standards at Anfield but that can only be a good thing for the club.

It will be difficult to find a manager who could emulate Paisley but looking at the current Liverpool set-up, could it soon be a case of arise Sir Rafa?

I think so. Especially if he wins the European Cup again!

I don't know if you can knight a Spaniard but I'm sure the Liverpool fans will have their say. I think Liverpool have got a very good manager in Rafa Benitez and I'm sure Bob Paisley is looking on from above, happy in the knowledge that the club he established as the best in Europe is once again in very good hands.

Crazyhorse1977 · Sep 5 2005, 11:43 AM

Winter is in my opinion the best sports journo out there, bar none. He makes it worth while buying the telegraph.

Captain Howdy · Sep 5 2005, 11:53 AM

very good article, ive read a couple of winters articles and he doesnt seem like your average tosser of a journo

liverbird04 · Sep 5 2005, 11:54 AM

its amazing how much paisley won .

three European Cups,
six league titles,
UEFA Cup
three League Cups.

Newcastle 4ever · Sep 5 2005, 12:19 PM

FACT YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL MANAGER

BOB PAISLEY

WAS A GEORDIE

In other word's the Geordie won 3 of those

Cups

liverbird04 · Sep 5 2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newcastle 4ever

FACT YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL MANAGER

BOB PAISLEY

WAS A GEORDIE

In other word's the Geordie won 3 of those

Cups

they should put up a bloody statue where bob's from ,mind you he would have hated that .

Newcastle 4ever · Sep 5 2005, 12:27 PM

Shanks · Sep 5 2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newcastle 4ever

FACT YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL MANAGER

BOB PAISLEY

WAS A GEORDIE

In other word's the Geordie won 3 of those

Cups

My god, it knows no bounds.

~~Magic_H~~ · Sep 6 2005, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newcastle 4ever

FACT YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL MANAGER

BOB PAISLEY

WAS A GEORDIE

In other word's the Geordie won 3 of those

Cups

Well at least you have won something eh??

Red Opal · Sep 6 2005, 09:26 PM

Whats with the sudden Newcastle fan getting in on the act? Like the Chelsea fans around the Semi final, idiots like this will come and go. Now a thread about Paisley has somehow been poisoned. Give it a break. Paisley was a Liverpudlian - end of. Fa Cup Final 74 anyone? The greatest performance in any FA Cup Final by all accounts.

Newcastle 4ever · Sep 7 2005, 10:08 AM

Born and bred Geordie he was.

But u can claim him.

Im here for the long haul

Red Opal · Sep 7 2005, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newcastle 4ever

Born and bred Geordie he was.

But u can claim him.

Im here for the long haul

Yeah, of course you are. We Claim him? Shouldn't you have just gone back to school?

Crazyhorse1977 · Sep 7 2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newcastle 4ever

Born and bred Geordie he was.

But u can claim him.

Im here for the long haul

Actually he was from County Durham. Now the lad at work who is also from Co. Durham says thats not Geordie. Anyways. You go and bask in your reflected glory because thats as close as you'll ever get to any.

Newcastle 4ever · Sep 7 2005, 11:25 AM

U Will Eat Your Words When U Look Back In 10 Years And See The Trophies We Will Win.

Stop Biting!

Crazyhorse1977 · Sep 7 2005, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newcastle 4ever

U Will Eat Your Words When U Look Back In 10 Years And See The Trophies We Will Win.

Stop Biting!

Trouble is, you think you've signed a load of players to take you close to maybe a final. Look beyond your sig and you'll see that you've got no squad. I wont be eating any words, we'll just keep proving you wrong.

**Fowksee** · Sep 7 2005, 11:42 AM

I have lost my scouse baiting crown now i think

Crazyhorse1977 · Sep 7 2005, 12:02 PM

Foulksy, not you lad. You've never had it.

**Fowksee** · Sep 7 2005, 12:03 PM

I have a badge though

Newcastle 4ever · Sep 7 2005, 01:01 PM

join me foulkesy.

i never said we will win a final. i said a uefa cup spot. next year after we sign a few more such as the players were linked to, Kuyt, Bridge etc and our youth has developed further, Milner & Taylor, i really feel we will be challenging the big 3, Chelsea, Arsenal & Man U. I said challenging the big 3.

Our starting 11 on paper is top 4 material but yes we dont have depth.

Shanks · Sep 7 2005, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newcastle 4ever

U Will Eat Your Words When U Look Back In 10 Years And See The Trophies We Will Win.
Stop Biting!

Duly noted and saved for future threads.

liverbird04 · Sep 7 2005, 03:50 PM

boumsong ,baba and carr in their back four and they think they will do well in the premiership ? I think newcastle might win something under souness I honestly do ,bet its the league cup and when they do there will be street parties all over newcastle and it will be like the second world war has ended and we will never hear the end of how good they are and how they will be great in years to come ,easy to say we will this and that in 10 yearscos noone can prove or disprove it , not really an argument from a possession of strength though is it .

Red Opal · Sep 7 2005, 03:55 PM

**** this. So is Paisley the greatest British manager of all time? He's certainly the most successful trophy wise. Obviously Shankly's gotta have a case. Clough, as a manager, should be severely respected too and you cant knock what Fergusons done at United (although obviously 3 European Cups should take him out the running before you've started!)

robbert2005 · Sep 7 2005, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newcastle 4ever

join me foulkesy.

i never said we will win a final. i said a uefa cup spot. next year after we sign a few more such as the players were linked to, Kuyt, Bridge etc and our youth has developed further, Milner & Taylor, i really feel we will be challenging the big 3, Chelsea, Arsenal & Man U. I said challenging the big 3.

Our starting 11 on paper is top 4 material but yes we dont have depth.

well as your squad gets stronger so do all the other squads around you and the players you have been linked with ie kuyt so have we

liverbird04 · Sep 7 2005, 04:15 PM

paisley won more in europe and also won more domestically in a shorter space of time so I think he would have to rate above ferguson although before any silly manc starts ,thats not to say alex ferguson isn't a great manager although I hate the ****er.

SMG316 · Sep 7 2005, 07:06 PM

newcastle4ever, must u taint every single thread in here????

This thread was about 'the greatest British manager' and then you have to come with your cheap shot at LFC that inevitably leads to criticism of newcastle (which isnt exactly hard is it, how many trophies in the last 50 years again)

at 1st it was slightly amusing, now its just a desperate plea for attention, grow up kid