Graeme Souness - Football: My life, my passion (With Douglas Alexander)

In many ways, Souness remains a mystery figure for me. I started following Liverpool in 2000, but seldom hear about him. I would normally see him on Sky Sports as a football pundit, and am aware he played for Liverpool. And that is all. 

Credits to Clementi NLB for the book

After reading Bob Paisley's book - Quiet Genius, I got really curious about Souness. He was Bob Paisley's chief lieutenant on the pitch. He captained Liverpool for 5 years out of 7, and won 5 league titles and 3 European Cups. Bob Paisley had replaced Phil Thompson as captain during Christmas of 81-82, and from 10th spot, Liverpool somehow came back strongly and won the league. It was Paisley's proudest moment because of the comeback that season. 

Steven Gerard was Liverpool captain, but seems to have more adulation from the fans. I have not seen Souness watching football at Anfield, unlike Dalglish, Rush, or even Keegan. 

I was puzzled, and had to read about him. Turns out, Souness was someone quite controversial, especially when he went into management.  

Souness grew up in Edinburgh, but at the age of 15, he joined Tottenham as a trainee. From then on, he went on to have an football playing career that is hardly rivalled in the UK. He arrived at Liverpool in 1978 from Middlesbrough, at a time where people would choose Liverpool over Read Madrid. He left Liverpool at the high after winning 5 league titles and 3 European Cups, to play for Sampdoria in Italy. The contract to play for 1 year equaled his pay at Liverpool for 7 years. 

It means something to be Liverpool captain - You are the leader of a very talented team

Souness then returned to become player-manager at Rangers in 1986. It was a successful stint and he regrets leaving Rangers to take up the Liverpool job in 1991, at the age of 38. He managed Liverpool in 1991 after Dalglish left. Until today, he still says that it was the wrong time to take up the job, but he felt invincible when he was young, and was too eager to help change Liverpool. The picture of him celebrating his recovery from heart-bypass, published on The Sun on the 1-year anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster practically soured his standing at the club. 

 Still, Souness was a hot property. He had a fantastic reputation as a player. He took a year of sabbatical after resigning in 1992. Management jobs were still knocking on his door, and he travelled and managed different clubs such as Galatasaray, Southampton, Torino, Benfica, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United. Management was not for everyone, and Souness, as proud and successful as he was as a player, had to accept that management wasn't for him. 

Days as a manager

Souness explains that during the days of Paisley, players remain players. Nowadays, player-power can get you sack. Just look at David Moyes, Van Gaal and Mourinho at Man Utd. In many ways, the story of Souness is a bit disheartening, and you feel for the guy. Most autobiographies are written by successful people. There was a sense of regret, especially during his career in management. 

Newcastle was his last job as manager, and he was tough - Souness was sacked.

The positive note is that he was the David Beckham of his playing days.  

Today, Souness is milder and the intensity has waned. He enjoys doing TV, and has a fabulous contract with SKY. He enjoys commentating on games, and gets to travel to different stadiums. If you look at Souness today, you could tell that he is at peace. 

As you grow older, you get wiser and somewhat get to accept who you are. At least, Souness gave everything a try when he was young, and he could look back with pride. 

I hope he gets to be back at Anfield as a guest.

~~~

I turn 35 today. It's a meaningful milestone in life. Thank you Susu for being by my side after quite a challenging year. Here's to many years to come.