Few football clubs around the world have a history as grand and tumultuous as Liverpool FC. Since its inception in 1892, this team has emerged through quite a remarkable run of success at both domestic and international levels into one of the most powerful teams in the world. One of the bedrocks here has been the managers, who are visionaries and have guided it not only to numerous victories but also shaped its identity as well. The Liverpool managers have been instrumental in placing the club amongst the elite of football- from Bill Shankly’s era of transformation to the modern-day triumphs under Juergen Klopp- the managers at Liverpool form the cornerstone for its rich legacy.
Behind each trophy and each campaign that catapulted Liverpool to football history was a figure who orchestrated those victories: the manager. These men are as popular as the club itself, the backbone and architect of such a glorious past and present of the Reds.
List of Liverpool Managers
Liverpool has played under various managers over the years, each with a unique contribution to the team. Here is a full list of Liverpool managers and their tenure periods.
- John McKenna: Aug 1892 – Aug 1896
- Tom Watson: Aug 1896 – May 1915
- David Ashworth: Dec 1920 – Feb 1922
- Matt McQueen: Feb 1923 – Feb 1928
- George Patterson: Feb 1928 – May 1936
- George Kay: May 1936 – Feb 1951
- Don Welsh: Mar 1951 – May 1956
- Phil Taylor: May 1956 – Nov 1959
- Bill Shankly: Dec 1959 – Jul 1974
- Bob Paisley: Jul 1974 – May 1983
- Joe Fagan: May 1983 – May 1985
- Kenny Dalglish: May 1985 – Feb 1991
- Graeme Souness: Apr 1991 – Jan 1994
- Roy Evans: Jan 1994 – Nov 1998
- Gerard Houllier: Nov 1998 – May 2004
- Rafael Benitez: Jun 2004 – Jun 2010
- Roy Hodgson: Jul 2010 – Jan 2011
- Kenny Dalglish: Jan 2011 – May 2012
- Brendan Rodgers: Jun 2012 – Oct 2015
- Jurgen Klopp: Oct 2015 – May 2024
- Arne Slot: Jul 2024 – Present
The Five Most Successful Liverpool Managers of All Time
Dominance across decades has been curated by managers at Liverpool, and instead of merely comprehending the game, they went on to redefine it. We look closer at five of the most successful Liverpool managers: the masterminds behind the legendary status of the club.
- Bill Shankly (1959–1974)
Bill Shankly can be considered the bedrock of Liverpool’s modern success. When Shankly arrived in 1959, the club was mired in the Second Division. During his tenure of 15 years, Shankly established a football powerhouse at Liverpool, acquiring a total of 10 trophies in the shape of three First Division titles in the years 1963-64, 1965-66, and 1972-73; two FA Cups; and the UEFA Cup. His lessons on teamwork and the famous “Boot Room” culture set a spirit for Liverpool for many subsequent years.
His biggest achievement was not just the trophies but also the culture instilled by Shankly. His rapport with the fans, charisma, and tactical genius combined to create an almost unbreakable bond between Liverpool and its supporters. Shankly once said, “Liverpool was made for me, and I was made for Liverpool,” epitomizing his monumental influence upon the club.
- Bob Paisley (1974–1983)
Upon Shankly’s retirement, the reins fell upon Bob Paisley, who, although mild-mannered, proved to be an exceptionally successful manager. Paisley is the most successful Liverpool manager in terms of trophies secured, with an astonishing 20 in just nine years, including six First Division titles and three European Cups in 1977, 1978, and 1981.
However, Paisley proved to be shrewdly tactical in dealing with talent, including legends of the games such as Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness. Under Paisley, Liverpool became a powerhouse both in England and in Europe. His success on the European stage confirmed his status not only among the most successful Liverpool managers but also among the top-ranked soccer managers in the world.
- Kenny Dalglish (1985–1991, 2011–2012)
Kenny Dalglish has just one parallel at Liverpool in terms of being idolized as a player and manager. During his tenure as player-manager, Dalglish won three league titles with Liverpool from 1985-86 to 1987-88 to 1989-90 and two FA Cups in his first spell as manager. His second spell saw him win the League Cup in 2012.
Dalglish’s managerial style was based on the very values of Shankly and Paisley: teamwork, tactical flexibility, and an inseparable link with the fans. But Dalglish wasn’t just a tactician, a symbol to represent Liverpool’s fighting spirit. Thus, Dalglish’s era at LFC was tinged with the Hillsborough disaster, but his compassion and leadership during that time sealed his status as a club icon.
- Jurgen Klopp (2015–2024)
And when he came in in 2015, Jürgen Klopp said he was going to turn the “doubters into believers.” Having left in 2024, he did that in spectacular style. He’s led Liverpool to seven major trophies, including the Premier League title in 2019-20-the club’s first in 30 years-and the UEFA Champions League a year earlier. He also led Liverpool to titles in the FA Cup, League Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.
High pressing with intense attacking play: That is the “heavy-metal football” of Klopp that filled the stands once again at Anfield. His ability to rebuild the young team and grow talented players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk into world-class players only speaks to his skill not only as a tactician but also as a motivator. His passion and a connection with Liverpool’s fans are probably rivalled only by the likes of Shankly and Dalglish.
- Rafael Benitez (2004–2010)
Rafael Benitez’s time in Liverpool is best remembered for one of the greatest recoveries ever seen in football. The 2005 UEFA Champions League final, where the Reds came back from 3-0 behind to win on penalties against AC Milan. Along with the Champions League, he won an FA Cup and a UEFA Super Cup during his six years at the helm.
Benitez was a very systematic tactician; he studied games intensely. The defensive organization he brought to the team and the way he managed European competition made Liverpool a formidable opponent on the continent. Under Benitez, Liverpool became one of the most exciting teams in Europe, and his contribution to the club’s modern-day legacy cannot be understated.
The Global Legacy of Liverpool Managers
These Liverpool managers have helped mold the club’s identity and left an indelible mark on world football. They form part of a lineage from Shankly’s revolutionary philosophies to Klopp’s current day-to-day management that stretches beyond the confines of Anfield. Their innovations, leadership, and philosophies have inspired countless managers worldwide. For as long as Liverpool thrives, its managers will always be at the heart of its rich and ever-evolving story.
