Battle of the Bosses: Bill Shankly vs Sir Alex Ferguson

#4 Legacy

Ferguson bowed out a winner

Sir Alex Ferguson

While at the helm of Manchester United, Sir Alex reconstructed and revived the youth system which was earlier in shambles. The academy has given rise to formidable talent in recent times, with the likes of Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Tom Heaton donning their respective national colours at Euro 2016 in France.

Nearly four seasons have passed since Sir Alex called it a day. He chose erstwhile Everton manager David Moyes as his successor and left an ageing team behind. Yes, it might be a bit too early comment on Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy, but one can’t help but notice United’s poor run of form since 2012-2013.

Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have both tried their best to restore the club’s lost glory, but the fact still remains that Manchester United haven’t finished above 4^th position since Sir Alex’s retirement from active management. The only major trophy the Devils have managed to win in the subsequent years is the FA Cup, in 2016.

Bill Shankly

Shankly’s statue is placed outside Anfield

Following Shankly’s surprise decision to retire from management in 1974, Bob Paisley was appointed as manager of Liverpool Football Club. Under Paisley, the club never finished below 2^nd position, with the exception of the 1980-81 season, when the reds finished in fifth place.

Bob Paisley led the club to clinch three European cups in 1977, 1978 and 1981. No other manager achieved what Paisley did in Europe, until Carlo Ancelotti equalled this feat in 2014.

The team that Shankly left behind, put together with Paisley’s new signings went on to achieve unprecedented success in both England and Europe.

Winner of Round 4: Bill Shankly