5 top European sides and their greatest-ever managers

#3 Bob Paisley (Liverpool)

Paisley made Liverpool a European powerhouse

The debate over who is the greatest manager in Liverpool's history is one that may never end. Lots of people believe that Bill Shankly is the man who laid the foundation for the club's greatness, even the club's official website says so.

However, for the importance of his work and his achievements, some others prefer to name Paisley as the Reds' greatest manager. A quiet, soft-spoken man, Paisley spent almost 50 years of his life working for Liverpool FC in various aspects.

The Durham-born Paisley reluctantly took over the reins at the club following Shankly's retirement in 1974. Thrust into the role unexpectedly, he learned quite a lot from the retiring Shankly to whom he was an assistant.

Like most coaches of that era, he had been impressed by the genius of Rinus Michel at Ajax. The Total Football employed had produced three consecutive European Cups for de Godenzonen (Sons of the Gods) as the Dutch giants are known.

Employing a variation of that total football concept, Paisley further developed the concept and produced the most legendary team in Liverpool history. Featuring club legends like Kenny Daglish, John Toshack, Phil Neal, Ray Kennedy amongst others, the Reds became England and European top dogs.

They were unlike other English clubs at that time as they played with the flair of the more continental sides. This was done while retaining the defensive solidity, strength, and passion of traditional English teams.

The result was an amazing haul of trophies in the Paisley era (Twenty trophies in nine seasons). These included 6 First Division (Premier League titles) and the first three of Liverpool's five European Cups.