Liverpool's First Great Manager

The man who won the first two of Liverpool's 20 league titles - Tom Watson

You won’t see his image on a Kop flag. But Tom Watson deserves his place alongside the club’s great managers - Paisley, Dalglish, Benitez, Klopp, and of course Shankly. And now, Slot.

Watson was in charge of Liverpool for 19 years, making him the longest serving manager in the history of the club, managing for 742 matches, right up until his death in May 1915. He also happened to be the first to win the league title, and a second, five years later. Who could have imagined another 18 would follow!

Newcastle-born Tom Watson started his managerial career as Secretary at Newcastle's East End and West End clubs. The Newcastle Journal said "he headed a deputation which resulted in the Newcastle Freemen and the Newcastle Corporation granting permission for football to be played on the site now known as St. James’s Park, in the occupation of the Newcastle United Football Club."

Altogether Tom Watson won the 1st Division title five times - a feat very few achieve during their managerial careers. The Geordie had already won the league three times in four seasons with Sunderland, in 1892, 1893 and 1895 - Sunderland were only elected to the Football League in 1890.

Liverpool themselves had only been in existence for just four years, and had just been promoted from the 2nd division for a second time when Watson took over in 1896.

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