Kenny Dalglish named ‘the greatest manager in the history of British football’ – not Sir Alex

Kenny Dalglish named ‘the greatest manager in the history of British football’ – not Sir Alex. One of the greatest Liverpool players in history, Kenny Dalglish enjoyed a playing career that spanned over two decades, beginning in 1969 with Celtic in his native Scotland. After eight trophy-laden years in Glasgow, the forward moved south of the border to join Liverpool, where he would spend the remainder of his career.

Kenny Dalglish Stats at Liverpool

Tenure

1977-1990

Appearances

515

Goals

172

Assists

186

Honours Won

3x European Cup 6x First Division Title 1x FA Cup 4x League Cup 1x Super Cup

Signed for what was then a record transfer fee in British football to replace Kevin Keegan, Dalglish became an integral part of the Liverpool team that, across the 1980s, dominated the sport. Alongside strike partner Ian Rush for almost all of his time at Anfield, Dalglish fired the Reds to six First Division titles, three European Cups, four League Cups and an FA Cup.

Dalglish served as player-manager of Liverpool from 1985 to his retirement in 1990, staying in his post for one further year before departing all together in 1991. The Scot, after such an incredible career as a player, remained in management, joining Blackburn Rovers later that year.

At Ewood Park, Dalglish took Blackburn from the Second Division to the top flight, winning the Premier League in the competition’s third-ever season. The Scot departed Rovers in 1995, not managing again until 1997 when he was hired by Newcastle United, going onto manage the Magpies for just under two years.

After an interim stint in charge of Celtic in 2000, Dalglish had over a decade away from management before returning to Liverpool in 2011, only to be dismissed the following year. Though his second stint with the Reds was more underwhelming than the first, it did nothing to diminish his legacy at Anfield.

Dalglish has shared a number of opinions over the years such as when, in writing for the Mirror in 2010, he revealed which manager he felt was the best in the history of British football.

‘I Have No Hesitation’ Dalglish had nothing but praise for iconic manager Close

During his playing days, Dalglish worked with some exceptional managers. For the entirety of his time with Celtic, the forward was under the guidance of the incredible and intimidating Jock Stein. Prior to becoming player-manager of Liverpool, he played the entirety of Bob Fagan’s brief but brilliant reign over the Reds.

In writing, however, the Scot named Bob Paisley, the man who brought him to Merseyside, as the best of them all. Dalglish said:

“Bob Paisley is the greatest manager in the history of British football – I have no hesitation in saying that. His relentless amassing of silverware justifies that statement. In nine years, Bob won six titles, three League Cups, the Uefa Cup and three European Cups. Three! Some record – and, remember, that was in the days when if you lost in Europe, you were out.

“There were no second chances, no group stages providing a nice safety net. Yet Bob never got any recognition from the country. Three European Cups and he can’t get a knighthood. Matt Busby was knighted. Alex Ferguson was knighted. Bobby Robson, God bless him, was knighted. So why was Bob missed out?

“I believe it was because he was never one for self-promotion. He let the results speak for themselves, but obviously they didn’t speak loud enough for somebody to be listening in Westminster.”

Paisley initially spent time at Liverpool as a player, retiring in 1954. He worked at the club in numerous roles for five years before being made assistant manager by the incoming Bill Shankly in 1959. Paisley, from then on, played a pivotal role in shaping the club for success.

After 15 years in the role, Shankly retired in 1974 and in stepped Paisley to replace him. Now leading the team, Paisley, across nine years, won six First Division titles and three European Cups, becoming the first manager to win the latter tournament on at least three occasions.

Paisley was one of many managers that Dalglish encountered in the sport. As a manager himself, Dalglish faced off against the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, George Graham, Graham Taylor and many more but, for understandable reasons, Paisley remains the best that Dalglish has ever seen.

(All stats are from Transfermarkt and are correct as of 06/08/2025)