WHY BOB PAISLEY IS THE GREATEST OF ALL-TIME
Henry Winter 05 September 2005
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 managers 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 theclub he established as the best in Europe is once again in very good hands."
It's a travisty that Bob was not honoured for his great achievements. He would pobably not wnat it anyway, but in death both he and Bill Shankly should be honoured in some way. I'll check out the British Establishments sites..
