Manager Duels: Bill Shankly Vs Bob Paisley

The weekly edition of Manager Duels is here for a second installment! Much like the Player Duels series, readers have the chance to vote for who they think was the better manager.

This weeks Duel is between the two best managers in Liverpool's long and illustrious history: Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.

Bill Shankly

He started his managerial career at Carlisle, but boardroom conflict ended that and his next two jobs at Grimsby and Workington fairly quickly. However, Shankly's integrity and enthusiasm was starting to be noticed. He went to Huddersfield where another boardroom conflict, this time over a young Denis Law, forced him out of the club.

He was appointed manager of a Liverpool team struggling at the bottom of the Second Division. The facilities were awful, and they were going nowhere fast. However, under Shankly the club's fortunes soon turned around. He won promotion to the First Division within three years.

Over the next decade, Shankly produced two wonderful teams. He always had a strong affinity with the fans, recognising their needs and how important Liverpool was to them. In his time he won the Second Division title, three time First Division champions, two time FA Cup winners, and they also won a UEFA Cup as well.

There are simply too many legendary quotes this man has come out with to list them here.

Bob Paisley

When Shankly retired the whole city of Liverpool was distraught. Workers went on strike demanding that he return. The man who had the unenviable task of following him was Bob Paisley, a member of the backroom staff during the Shankly era. Paisley reluctantly took on the task.

However, Paisley would go on to build on Shankly's success and create one of the most dominant teams in European football history. In his nine years as Liverpool manager he never failed to win at least one trophy in any of those season.

He was the mastermind behind six First Division titles, three consecutive League Cups, five Charity Shield's, a UEFA Cup, a European Super Cup and, most impressively, three European Cups. He remains the only manager to have coached three European Cup winning sides. He also won the Manager of the Year award six times in nine years.

He also came out with some wonderful quotes which endeared himself to the fans even more.

So, ladies and gentlemen, who is your pick? Bill Shankly or Bob Paisley? Remember anyone can vote, just leave a comment saying who you have picked.

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