Although not as highly regarded as managers such as Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, or Jurgen Klopp, Don Welsh played a pivotal role in Liverpool's history, taking the club in a new direction and laying the foundations on which future managers created the great teams of the 60's, 70's and 80's.

A talented player and innovative manager

Born in Manchester in 1911, Don Welsh enjoyed a successful playing career with Charlton Athletic and even played for Liverpool as a guest player during the War Years (1943-45), scoring 44 goals in just 39 games.  After the war, Liverpool attempted to sign Welsh, but Charlton refused, and although their league form faltered, Welsh helped Charlton reach two FA Cup Finals, losing in 1946, but lifting the famous trophy a year later in 1947.

After retiring from playing at 36, Welsh moved into management, joining Brighton & Hove Albion.  Despite a poor first season, welsh soon turned the south-coast club's fortunes around, and after then manager George Kay was forced to retire due to ill health in 19501, Liverpool turned to Welsh to help revitalise the team, which was going through a tough period.

Inheriting a poor team

Unfortunately for Welsh, the Liverpool team he inherited was in a poor state, with the club lacking direction and energy, which had seen them slowly slip down the table over the previous four or five seasons.  This was the era of Legendary striker Billy Liddell, but even he could not prevent Liverpool from sliding into mid-table mediocrity.

Welsh attempted to fix this by spending 50,000 pounds on players like Bimpson and A'Court, but even this was not enough to rescue the situation.

Relegation and getting the sack

Although the team narrowly avoided relegation in 1953, beating Chelsea in a scrappy final game to stay in Division One, the writing was on the wall the following season.  After a run of poor results, which included a terrible 9 - 1 defeat at the hands of Birmingham City, Liverpool were relegated at the end of the 1954 season.  It was the first time the team had suffered relegation for over 50 years!

Welsh nearly redeemed himself during the 55-56 season, narrowly missing out on promotion back to Division One.  Despite this, it was obvious that under Welsh the team was not improving, and in May 1956 Welsh accepted his part of the blame for the team's relegation and was sacked.

Welsh has the dubious honour of being the only Liverpool manager ever to be sacked.

A new direction

Despite overseeing the club's relegation, there were positives to be taken from the Don Welsh era.  He changed the way players trained, placing an emphasis on practice games and drills, rather than running laps of the field.  He also looked to overhaul the clubs aging squad, scouting and investing in youth players, many of whom would go on to help the club enjoy great success in the following decade.

Welsh passed away in 1990, 78.

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• Appointed manager of Liverpool FC on the 5th March 1951

"Liverpool asked me to go for an interview. The next day I was told that they had agreed to appoint me. It's a wonderful opportunity to put my ideas into practice."

Don Welsh, speaking about his appointment as manager of LFC

"They were good signings, but they came in at a bad time. Things were bad and confidence was low. Now for a new start, with all the players pulling together. From the Chairman right down to the youngest member of the ground staff, we are all resolved to win promotion in one season."

Down Welsh, speaking after relegation at the end of the 1953/54 season

"I liked him. He was always passionate about the game. He inherited a lot of players in their thirties when he arrived but I'll never forget him because he gave me my chance."

Liverpool Legend, Ronnie Moran, talking about Don Welsh