50 Men Who Made LFC: Tom Watson
The longest-serving manager in Anfield history, Tom Watson is a much-loved figure from the club's early days and the mastermind who created Liverpool's first team of champions.
During his 19-year tenure, the Reds firmly established themselves as one of the country’s leading sides – twice being crowned champions and reaching the FA Cup final for the first time.
He was just 37 when he made the move to Merseyside but was already well-known as the most successful secretary-manager in England, having guided Sunderland’s ‘Team of all the Talents’ to three First Division titles.
Liverpool’s capture of Watson was a masterstroke and it signalled a change in policy regarding team management at Anfield.
Renowned as an innovative tactician and a great leader of men, he immediately implemented a new training regime and ordered his players to follow a strict diet.
Together with some astute signings, Watson soon had Liverpool challenging for the top honours and by the time of his sudden death in 1915 they had fully emerged from the shadow of elder neighbours Everton.
Click through our 50 Men Who Made LFC countdown below