Liverpool are the club we see today largely thanks to Bill Shankly‘s leadership. Here are 10 of the legendary manager’s best quotes.
As an orator, few have surpassed Shankly’s ability to garner support among crowds, whether they be young or old, rich or poor.
Shankly was confident but never rose above his station. The respect he commanded was earned and his speeches were an important part of gaining support for his team and ideas.
The great man had a cunning sense of humour and capacity to silence thousands with the flick of a finger. Here are 10 of his best quotes as Liverpool manager.
The Kop worships at the feet of Liverpool manager Bill Shankly, 1973 (PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo)
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“In my time at Anfield, we always said we had the best two teams on Merseyside: Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves.”
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“My idea was to build Liverpool into a bastion of invincibility. You know, Napoleon had that idea and he conquered the bloody world.”
Bill Shankly
Shanks had serious ambition for Liverpool and he left the legacy for Liverpool to achieve what he wanted!
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“At a football club, there’s a holy trinity – the players, the manager and the supporters. Directors don’t come into it. They are only there to sign the cheques.”
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“I’ve drummed it into our players, time and again, that they are privileged to play for you.”
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“It’s there to remind our lads who they’re playing for and to remind the opposition who they’re playing against!”
Bill Shankly
Shankly wanted to make walking out at Anfield like entering the Colosseum.
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“If Everton were playing at the bottom of my garden, I’d shut the curtains.”
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“The socialism I believe in is everyone working for each other, everyone having a share of the rewards. It’s the way I see football, the way I see life.”
Bill Shankly
Shankly was more than a football coach; he was a leader of men.
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“For a player to be good enough to play for Liverpool, he must be prepared to run through a brick wall for me then come out fighting on the other side.”
Bill Shankly
The boss could be prone to some exaggeration, but we love the purpose!
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“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”
Bill Shankly
Football was so important to Shankly, he struggled leave it behind even after retirement.
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“Liverpool was made for me and I was made for Liverpool.”
Bill Shankly
Never has there been a man so in touch with his supporters.