Bob Paisley, appointed manager on this day in 1974, remains Liverpool's most successful boss, winning 20 major trophies in nine seasons. But his grandfather-like image didn't tell the whole story of how he ruled Anfield. He once said within the dressing room, 'I am only a modest Geordie but get me cornered and I am a mean b*****.'
The Reluctant Successor
Paisley reluctantly took over after Bill Shankly's shock resignation. Former club secretary Peter Robinson recalled: 'It was definitely a crisis time when Bill left. It was a bombshell and Bob was very reluctant to take the position as manager. When we approached him he said no. In the end the chairman, directors and I had gang up on him.'
Ray Clemence revealed Paisley's honesty: 'I'll never forget him standing in the dressing room in the summer of 1974 on the first day of pre-season training and telling us: "Shanks has gone and they're giving me the job even though I didn't really want it. But we must try to carry on what he's started."'
The Gentle Exterior
Mark Lawrenson recalled his first meeting with Paisley after a £900,000 move from Brighton: 'I was nervous as a kitten. I had on my best suit, shirt and tie, my best bib and tucker. I went down to reception and the doorman spotted me and said, "Mr Paisley is waiting for you in his car outside". When I got in the car I saw that Bob was wearing slippers and a cardigan. I couldn't believe it.'
Mean Streak: Banishing Shankly
After Shankly retired, he kept turning up at Melwood. Tommy Smith said: 'In the end, Bob Paisley, purely for his own sanity, had to say to him: "Bill, you don't work here any more. This is my team here, I've got things I want to do."' Club chairman John Smith eventually had to ask Shankly not to visit during sessions.
The Supersub's Disappointment
David Fairclough, famous for his decisive goal against Saint Etienne in 1977, felt let down after being omitted from the European Cup final. He wrote: 'I thought Bob Paisley let me down. '77 was a terrible time all round. ... he was a genius but his broken promises hurt me.' Fairclough also criticised Paisley's man-management: 'He just fobbed you off. He was never great at man-management. He avoided confrontation.'
Psychology Ahead of Its Time
Ian Rush, frustrated by being in the reserves, told Paisley he wanted to leave. Paisley replied: 'Have you actually scored yet? Can't you take responsibility? When I was your age I was in charge of a tank in the war.' Rush was told he was on the transfer list, but it spurred him on. After scoring his first goal, Paisley said, 'now I'll give you that rise.' Rush recalled: 'He said, "You were never on it." They talk about the psychology of managers now. Bob Paisley was 20 years ahead of his time.'
Captaincy Revoked
In the 1981/82 season, with Liverpool 12th in the league, Paisley took the captaincy from Phil Thompson and gave it to Graeme Souness. Thompson later said: 'When I lost the captaincy we were 12th in the league and 18 points behind the leaders. We went on from there and won the title. My performance level went from five out of ten back to nearer ten. Losing the captaincy did make me respond.'
Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove
Graeme Souness confirmed: 'I was to learn that praise from Bob Paisley was rather like a snowstorm in the Sahara. He may have been regarded as a fatherly figure by the supporters but, let me tell you, he ruled at Anfield with a rod of iron.'
Paisley's final tally: six league titles, three European Cups, a UEFA Cup, a European Super Cup, three League Cups and six Charity Shields, all in nine years. He summed up his contribution: 'Mind you, I've been here during the bad times too. One year we finished second!'
