Liverpool FC Managers

Last updated: 25th February, 2024

A reverse-chronological timeline of Liverpool Football Club’s managers down the years.

Jurgen Klopp

2015 – Present

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, October 9, 2015: Liverpool's new manager Jürgen Klopp during a photo-call at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Days as manager: 2,898* | Games: 437* | Win %: 61.43*

A transformational manager that placed the club back on its perch, a charismatic figure who still has a number of chapters left to write at Anfield.

Champions League 2019
UEFA Super Cup 2019
FIFA Club World Cup 2019
Premier League 2020
League Cup 2022
FA Cup 2022
League Cup 2024


 

Brendan Rodgers

2012 – 2015

Days as manager: 1,220 | Games: 166 | Win %: 51.2

Guided the Reds to the precipice of glory in the Premier League, took the team as far as he could and all parties needed to move on.


 

Kenny Dalglish

2011 – 2012

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 9, 2011: Liverpool's manager Kenny Dalglish MBE before the FA Cup 3rd Round match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. (Photo by: David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Days as manager: 494 | Games: 74 | Win %: 47.3

A second spell as manager recouped another trophy for the collection, his first and only League Cup as boss.

League Cup 2012


 

Roy Hodgson

2010 – 2011

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Thursday, July 1, 2010: Liverpool Football Club's new manager Roy Hodgson during a photo-call at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Days as manager: 191 | Games: 31 | Win %: 41.94

A tenure that quickly crumbled and many continue to wish they could erase from their memory, even if it did last only 31 games.


 

Rafa Benitez

2004 – 2010

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - WEDNESDAY JUNE 16 2004: Rafael Benitez poses for a photograph with the famous 'This is Anfield' sign in the tunnel at Anfield as he is unveiled as Liverpool FC's new manager. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Days as manager: 2,188 | Games: 350 | Win %: 56.29

Against all the odds, the Spaniard led Liverpool to their fifth European Cup and their first since 1984.

Champions League 2005
FA Cup 2006


 

Gerard Houllier

1998 – 2004

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 5, 2003: Liverpool's manager Ge?rard Houllier walks out to face Manchester United during the Premiership match at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Days as manager: 2,139 | Games: 307 | Win %: 52.12

Modernised the club and etched his name into the history books with a cup treble in 2000/01.

League Cup 2003
League Cup 2001
FA Cup 2001
UEFA Cup 2001
European Super Cup 2001
Charity Shield 2001


 

Roy Evans & Gerard Houllier

1998

Gerard Houllier (right), who has joined Liverpool Manager Roy Evans, to form a managerial partnership at Anfield, today (Thursday). See PA Story SOCCER Liverpool. PA Photos

Days as manager: 119 | Games: 18 | Win %: 38.89

For the first time, two managers led the team but it was doomed to fail from the off and lasted only 18 games.


 

Roy Evans

1994 – 1998

COVENTRY, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 6, 1996: Liverpool's manager Roy Evans against Coventry City during the Premiership match at Highfield Road. Coventry won 1-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Days as manager: 1,746 | Games: 226 | Win %: 51.77%

Twenty-eight years after he first joined the club, he took on the role he was moulded for under the legendary boot room boys.

League Cup 1995


 

Graeme Souness

1991 – 1994

Graeme Souness and his squad

Days as manager: 1,018 | Games: 157 | Win %: 42.04

One of the club’s greatest-ever players and captain, but his time as manager did not prove as successful as his playing days.

FA Cup 1992


 

Ronnie Moran

1991 (Caretaker)

VLADIKAVKAZ, RUSSIA - Monday, September 11, 1995: Liverpool's coach Ronnie Moran training at the Republican Spartak Stadium ahead of the UEFA Cup 1st Round 1st Leg match against FC Alania Spartak Vladikavkaz. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Days as manager: 52 | Games: 10 | Win %: 40

An original boot room boy, Moran twice took on caretaker duties when Dalglish stood down in 1991 and Souness underwent heart surgery in 1992.


 

Kenny Dalglish

1985 – 1991

Delighted Liverpool players (from left) Graham Souness, Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen celebrate with the Milk Cup trophy after they defeated Manchester United 2-1 in extra time at Wembley. It was Liverpool's third successive triumph in the competition, giving manager Bob Paisley a winning farewell to Wembley etires at the end of the season.

Days as manager: 2,093 | Games: 307 | Win %: 60.91

His first spell started as a player-manager – a first for the club – and the success he experienced as a player continued as manager.

Div 1 Champions 1986, 88, 90
FA Cup 1986, 89


 

Joe Fagan

1983 – 1985

(L-R) The Liverpool coaching team of Chris Lawler, Roy Evans, manager Joe Fagan and Ronnie Moran celebrate with the European Cup

Days as manager: 697 | Games: 131 | Win %: 54.2

Smokin’ Joe achieved an unprecedented treble, winning the European Cup, the league title and the League Cup in 1983/84.

Div 1 Champions 1984
League Cup 1984
European Cup 1984


 

Bob Paisley

1974 – 1983

Bob Paisley, Manager - Picture by: Peter Robinson / EMPICS Sport

Days as manager: 3,231 | Games: 535 | Win %: 57.57

With 20 honours, 14 major trophies, during his nine-year tenure, Paisley remains the most successful person to manage Liverpool.

Div 1 Champions 1976, 77, 79, 80, 82, 83
League Cup 1981, 82, 83
European Cup 1977, 78, 81
UEFA Cup 1976
European Super Cup 1977


 

Bill Shankly

1959 – 1974

Liverpool's legendary Bill Shankly. Turning towards the Kop end of Anfield, Shankly gets an ovation from the fans who idolised him when Liverpool became League champions.

Days as manager: 5,337 | Games: 783 | Win %: 51.98

A man who revolutionised Liverpool on the pitch and off it, a revered figure and Boot Room leader.

Div 1 Champions 1964, 66, 73
Div 2 Champions 1962
FA Cup winners 1965, 74
UEFA Cup winners 1973


 

Phil Taylor

1956-59

Days as manager: 1,281 | Games: 150 | Win %: 50.67

Another former player to take on the top job and the only one to never manage Liverpool in the top flight.


Don Welsh

1951-56

Days as manager: 1,869 | Games: 232 Win %: 34.91

He holds the unwanted title as the first Liverpool manager to ever be sacked following relegation into the Second Division.


George Kay

1936-51

Days as manager: 5,290 | Games: 354 | Win %: 39.55

In charge throughout World War II, Kay actually fielded Bill Shankly for one match during the war.

Div 1 Champions 1947


George Patterson

1928-36

Days as manager: 3,074 | Games: 384 | Win %: 37.5

First arrived at the club in 1908 to serve as an assistant to Tom Watson before becoming club secretary and subsequently manager, he was the first to manage the team in two separate eras.


Matt McQueen

1923-28

Days as manager: 1,828 | Games: 229 | Win %: 40.61

A former Liverpool player turned manager, he was initially a temporary solution but remained in the hot seat for five years.

Div 1 Champions 1923


David Ashworth

1919-23

David Ashworth, Liverpool manager 1919-1923 (Credit: The Bromilow family)

Days as manager: 1,152 | Games: 139 | Win %: 50.36

Led the club to its third First Division title and set them on course to win two in a row before swapping Liverpool for Oldham in 1923.

Div 1 Champions 1922


Tom Watson

1896 – 1915

Tom Watson, Liverpool manager, 1905 (EMPICS/EMPICS Sport)

Days as manager: 6,835 | Games: 742 | Win %: 44.34

The club’s longest-serving manager, he led Liverpool for a total of 18 years and nine months – a run that, surely, will never be surpassed.

Div 1 Champions 1901, 1906
Div 2 Champions 1905


John McKenna

1895 – 96

John McKenna, Liverpool Vice-Chairman (EMPICS/EMPICS Sport)

Days as manager: 361 | Games: 36 | Win %: 69.44

A prominent board member who held multiple titles during his time with the club, including chairman and director.

Div 2 Champions 1896


William Edward Barclay

1892 – 95

William Edward Barclay, 1892

Days as manager: 1,239 | Games: 91 | Win %: 57.14

The first man to manage Liverpool FC, he held his post for 91 matches – of which he won 52.

Lancashire League 1893
Div 2 Champions 1894

First published: 26th December, 2001