How Bill Shankly Transformed Liverpool Football Club – An increasing number of players, even those with international experience, have recently found the path through football management extremely treacherous.
Fraught With Danger
The recent sacking of Wayne Rooney by Plymouth Argyle, alongside the less-than-successful experiences of Frank Lampard and the Neville brothers, for example, indicate the step up into the managerial hot seat is fraught with danger.
In contrast, Wrexham’s Phil Parkinson celebrated his 1,000th game as a professional manager on January 4th, 2025, when Wrexham beat Peterborough United. Phil joined a select group of other members of the 1,000 club, such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelloti, Arsène Wenger and Jose Mourinho.
Phil deserves considerable praise for this outstanding personal achievement. His impact, in conjunction with the key directors, on instilling a winning mentality into Wrexham FC and the City has put Wrexham in the fast lane for attention in the media and by supporters worldwide.
Readers may well ponder the secret ingredients that managers use to achieve managerial success. In the enthralling fact-laden Shankly: From Glenbuck To Wembley, Phil Thompson and Steve Hale identify and discuss how Bill Shankly transformed a struggling Liverpool FC in 1959 into one of the most successful teams in European and British football.
Wit And Wisdom
This excellently researched book is insightful and enriched with anecdotal evidence, including a chapter full of Shankly’s wit and wisdom –, all complemented by excellent pictures by Steve Hale. Phil Thompson (not to be confused with the ex-Liverpool player), an experienced Merseyside author, also discusses Bill’s success at length.
Following a successful footballing career, Shankly – the boy from Glenbuck – moved into management with Carlisle United and continued to hone his man-management and motivation skills at Grimsby, Workington and Huddersfield. In December 1959, he was appointed manager at Liverpool, who were languishing in the second division.
The author highlights how he described the club as “shambolic”, clearly indicating his determination to change mindsets and procedures. For example, previous managers had to have their team selection checked by the boardroom. Bill didn’t tolerate this, kicking it into touch with the maxim, “That is how we have always done it!”.
There is clear evidence throughout the book of how he set the standard for the team and supporters in terms of mind over matter. For the players, he emphasised work, fight and fitness levels with the pass and move, one-touch style with training focused on competitive five-a-side games and the “sweat box”.
Highly Demanding
There is clear evidence that Shankly could be highly demanding and, at times, scathing, particularly if players failed to follow his rules or guidelines. The key was that his powers of persuasion and motivational style were built on not having favourites, being fair without victimisation and moving forward after addressing an issue. These are skills many managers of people from all walks of life could focus on.
He made an immediate impact on the players when he arrived at Anfield and created a platform for long-term success. In addition, he improved facilities and raised the profile of spectators to get behind the team.
Readers, particularly Liverpool supporters, will know the significance of the “This is Anfield” sign, and the adoption of You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers as the “club anthem”. The overall message was that the loyal supporters deserved maximum effort and determination from all players.
Shankly constructed a sustainable framework by building a team of coaches and administrators to develop the club into a bastion of invincibility. Many commentators, in common with the authors, point to the importance of the “boot room” of coaches and backroom team, which included Reuben Bennett and future managers Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Ronnie Moran.
A Psychological Advantage
Bill was also shrewd when signing new players and refreshing the team. In his first full season in 1960/61, he bought Ron Yeates and Ian St John, and in 1969/70, he replaced stalwarts such as Roger Hunt and Ian St John with Ray Clemence, John Toshack, Kevin Keegan, Steve Heighway and Larry Lloyd.
Despite the anecdotal comments regarding his eccentricity, Bill’s key attribute was how he used his oratorial and mental skills to gain a psychological advantage on and off the field. Phil Thompson refers to how he would get one of the Anfield staff to knock on the door of the away team dressing room and hand them a box of tissues with the words “Mr Shankly said you’ll be needing these!”
Bill Shankly announced his retirement on July 12th,1974. He described his decision as like “walking to the electric chair”. He was acknowledged as a hero to many Liverpool supporters who brought success to the city and “made the people happy”.
Shankly’s contribution to changing the history of Liverpool FC and paving the way to their success in domestic and European competitions set the standard for many other managers to follow. Well worth reading.
About The Reviewer
John taught physical education in Ladbroke Grove, was a fitness coach at the Middle Row Boxing Club, a fitness and weight training coach in Wrexham, and a fitness coach at Wrexham RUFC and with the WRU. He was head of three specialist schools in North Wales, an Ofsted Inspector, a tutor on the O.U, MA (Special Ed) and PGCE courses and a consultant in schools and FE colleges across England and Wales.
In addition, John worked with youth team players at a range of clubs, including Fulham, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers and Wrexham, on developing skills of determination, resilience and personal mindsets to promote performance levels.
We hope you enjoyed reading “How Bill Shankly Transformed Liverpool Football Club“. Click here for more of my book reviews.
Author: John Morris for Love Wrexham Magazine
John is an FA coach. He has worked with young players at Fulham, Chelsea, QPR and Wrexham, promoting resilience, tenacity and self-discipline. He is currently a consultant addressing growth mindsets to promote sports, education, and business performance.
