Blasphemy!

[LondonLiverpoolFan]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/stevewilson/2011/08/shanklys_greatest_love.html

 

Shades of Shankly in Ferguson

 

This summer I stumbled across a television interview with Bill Shankly. It was recorded in 1976, about two years after he had resigned from Liverpool.

 

But while most fans know a Shankly quote or two - usually the one about football not being a matter of life and death, but much more important than that - you hardly ever see him on film.

 

What really struck me about him was just how similar his mannerisms and body language were to those of Sir Alex Ferguson.

 

It's not just the growling accent or the sharp eyes which dart about and explore the questioner for any hint of weakness, but an aura laced with self-confidence and a surprising degree of physical intimidation given their ages - Shankly was 63 at the time of that interview, Ferguson is 69.

 

Shankly was discussing his autobiography, in which he had criticised Liverpool for the way he felt he had been treated by them after his decision to leave.

He had built Liverpool from a second-tier team to one which was beginning to dominate English football and which, in his last game, won the 1974 FA Cup Final.

Sadly for Shankly, he seemed to regret his decision to quit almost immediately. He would turn up at Liverpool's training ground to watch until it became clear he was just making life difficult for Bob Paisley, who had replaced him.

He would sit amongst the fans at Anfield rather than the directors' box, he'd go to watch Everton, he'd even travel away with Tranmere Rovers, who were then managed by one of his greatest signings, Ron Yeats.

 

The final straw for Shankly was being invited to the second leg of the 1976 Uefa Cup Final, only to be put up in a hotel well away from the team. He looked like a lost soul, a warrior in search of a battle to fight.

 

A decade ago, Sir Alex Ferguson announced that season, 2001-02, would be his last. The following February he changed his mind and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

With 10 more major trophies secured, Ferguson's place in the pantheon of greats is utterly assured. And he remains as fit, healthy and sharp as ever.

 

Bob Paisley took over Shankly's team and made it even better, the best in Europe.

The question which begs to be asked is what would have happened over the last 10 years at United had Ferguson stuck by his original decision to stand down? We'll never know.

 

Swansea City, then managed by ex-Liverpool striker John Toshack, were the first visitors to Anfield after Shankly's death in the autumn of 1981. This weekend the Welsh club hosts its first game in the top flight in 28 years.

 

I can't wait for my first visit to the Liberty Stadium - I'm told it's really something when the home fans get going.

 

It's the 51st stadium to host Premier League football - a pat on the back to anyone who can come up with the other 50 without the help of Wikipedia!

Edited August 18, 2011 by LondonLiverpoolFan

[Maldini]

Don't think they're alike at all, Ferguson is very dry and dour most of the time whereas Shankly was a big character and witty.

[Stevie H]

wonder how shankly would have reacted to people like the glazers, mcmanus and magnier etc?

[Chili Palmer]

I'm always embarressed when thinking of how our club treated him when he left.

[heighway]

I'm always embarressed when thinking of how our club treated him when he left.

 

It is very sad how it turned out but you can see the awkwardness of the situation where he was hanging round the training ground, still being called 'boss' by the players, it obviously made things difficult for Paisley. And even if he had been offered a kind of honorary club president-type role you'd wonder would he have been able to distance himself from the day-to-day team affairs?

[Chili Palmer]

It is very sad how it turned out but you can see the awkwardness of the situation where he was hanging round the training ground, still being called 'boss' by the players, it obviously made things difficult for Paisley. And even if he had been offered a kind of honorary club president-type role you'd wonder would he have been able to distance himself from the day-to-day team affairs?

 

 

Yeah, maybe. There would be nobody I'd rather have in my corner than him so we missed a trick in not having him as club president, and you'd have to have a bit of trust that he would have adapted for the good of the club, I mean, thats what he was all about after all, for the good of the club.

 

anyway, as you said, a bit sad at the end.

[Epic Swindle]

Nothing like him. Shanks was a real man of the people, Ferguson is Thatcher's love child.

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

Ferguson is Thatcher's love child.

 

Don't know about that.

Two very different charcaters though.

[Jarg Armani]

I'm always embarressed when thinking of how our club treated him when he left.

 

Wouldn't be considered The Liverpool Way these days would it.

 

Wasn't bad, success wise though, especially when compared to post Busby United. Pretty sure his shadow loomed a bit too large over his successors from the boardroom.

[Nebraska Red]

I'm always embarressed when thinking of how our club treated him when he left.

 

it was a different time back then, clubs weren't run like corporations back then and we didn't have so many "jobs" to give to ex managers, no director of football, no consultants.

 

Shanks left his job but find it difficult to walk away from the club, which is understandable. Not sure if Smith and Robinson had any clue what to offer him at the time.

Edited August 18, 2011 by Nebraska Red

[Duncan Disorderly]

As the saying goes, he wouldn't be fit to lace his boots. Managers of that era were different gravy too and it was a real hard man's game then.

 

Sir Slur has no class, no wit and is the ultimate champagne socialist.