Graeme Souness, Liverpool manager, 1991 (Picture by Ross Kinnaird EMPICS Sport) 1990s
Graeme Souness, Liverpool manager, 1991 (Picture by Ross Kinnaird EMPICS Sport) 1990s
It seems unthinkable now, but Graeme Souness actually once missed a match as Liverpool manager, instead choosing to scout Coventry‘s Peter Ndlovu.
Souness goes down as one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, deemed even better than Steven Gerrard by some supporters of the older generation.
However, his attempt at managing the Reds did not end well, despite getting off to a good start by winning the 1992 FA Cup in his first full season.
On the third anniversary of the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster, an interview with Souness was published in the Sun, the tabloid that had dragged Liverpool supporters’ names through the mud with entirely false stories.
The interview came shortly after the coach was forced to undergo triple heart bypass surgery in early April 1992.
As a result of the piece, Souness was already unpopular among fans, and this only got worse as Liverpool spent much of the following campaign in the bottom half.
The Reds did eventually finish sixth, beating Tottenham 6-2 on the final day at Anfield, but Souness wasn’t there.
Instead, he was at Elland Road to scout Coventry attacker Ndlovu who scored in a 3-3 draw against Leeds. Liverpool never went on to sign the Zimbabwe international.
Souness’ veteran assistant, Ronnie Moran was left to take charge in the dugout at Anfield – and he did a good job.
Liverpool
1. Bruce Grobbelaar
2. Rob Jones
4. Steve Nicol
5. Mark Wright
7. Steve Harkness
11. Mark Walters
6. Jamie Redknapp
8. Don Hutchison
3. David Burrows
10. John Barnes
9. Ian Rush
Tottenham
1. Ian Walker
2. David McDonald
5. Gary Mabbutt
6. Neil Ruddock
3. Pat Van Den Hauwe
11. Paul Allen
7. Steve Sedgley
8. Kevin Watson
4. Danny Hill
9. Darren Anderton
10. Teddy Sheringham
Subs:
12. Stuart Nethercott
14. Lee Hodges
Scorers: LFC: Rush 21′ 85′, Barnes 44′ 88′, Walters 82′, Nethercott og. 49′ | THFC: Sheringham 46′, Sedgley 77′
The Reds beat Tottenham 6-2 as Ian Rush and John Barnes both netted braces, while Mark Walters scored and Stuart Nethercott managed an own goal.
Souness’ decision to miss his own team’s match was strange and likely influenced by the criticism he was set to receive due to successive sixth-place finishes.
Following the game, goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar explained that Souness had still picked the side despite his absence and said: “We coped well without him being here but that’s the way Liverpool Football Club is.
“Liverpool Football Club is bigger than any one person and the players play for Liverpool Football Club.”
Many fans thought that would be the end of Souness as Liverpool manager, but he stayed on for the 1993/94 season, lasting until January.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 15, 2021: Former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness during the FA Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Manchester City FC at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 15, 2021: Former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness during the FA Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Manchester City FC at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
In the end, it would be an FA Cup third round defeat at home to Bristol City that would lead to his resignation, after which the Scotsman said:
“This is a sad day for me. After a great deal of soul searching I have reached the conclusion that the best thing for the club and I is that we should part company.”
“I took this job believing that I could return the club to its former glory, but this proved to be more difficult than I anticipated.
“The fans have been very patient but I feel that their patience is now running out.
“Liverpool Football Club has, and always will have, a very special place in my heart and I can only wish the club well and every success in the future.”