Liverpool mourn passing of ‘Boot Room’ legend Moran
LONDON: Former Liverpool captain, coach and caretaker manager Ronnie Moran has died aged 83, his son Paul announced yesterday.
“I am devastated to tell everyone on behalf of the family that my dad passed away this morning after a short illness,” Paul Moran said on Twitter.
Moran spent his entire playing career at Liverpool between 1952 and 1968, making 379 appearances, and served as a coach under managers including Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish.
Known as ‘Bugsy’, he had two spells as caretaker manager during the early 1990s and had spent 49 years at the club by the time he retired in 1998.
“Liverpool Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Ronnie Moran,” the club said in a statement.
“Ronnie is fondly remembered for his 49 years of service to Liverpool, during which time he represented the club with distinction as a player, coach, physio, reserveteam coach, assistant manager and caretaker manager.
“The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Ronnie’s wife Joyce, his children, family and many friends.”
Born locally in Crosby, Moran joined Liverpool on a part-time basis in 1949 and became an ever-present at left-back under Shankly, winning two league titles and the FA Cup.
Moran was invited to join Liverpool’s coaching staff by legendary manager Shankly and became a member of the fabled Anfield Boot Room, the name given to the club’s coaching unit.
His time on the back-room staff coincided with the greatest period in the club’s history as Liverpool won 11 league titles and four European Cups.
He was twice called upon to become caretaker manager, following Dalglish’s resignation in 1991 and then during Graeme Souness’s recovery from major heart surgery in 1992.
A regular visitor to Anfield and the club’s Melwood training ground, he was diagnosed with vascular dementia last year.
Liverpool greats past and present paid tribute to Moran.
“RIP Ronnie Moran,” former captain Steven Gerrard wrote on Instagram.
“Gave me some great advice over the years. The reason our club has a fantastic history is because of people like him. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton said the news was “devastating”.
“He was such a key member of Liverpool for so many years,” Houghton told BBC Radio 5 Live. “He would have done anything for the club. He loved everything about Liverpool Football Club.”
Former Liverpool manager Roy Evans, who worked with Moran for many years, said: “Liverpool and the fans will remember him for the great man that he was and he’ll be sadly missed.
“Ronnie Moran is one of the greats of Liverpool.”
Current captain Jordan Henderson wrote on Instagram: “The reason being captain of Liverpool Football Club is such a huge honour is because legendary figures like Ronnie Moran held it before I did.
“I know I speak for all of the current players when I say that we are all deeply saddened by Ronnie’s passing.
“The greatest tribute we can pay to him is to give everything we’ve got for Liverpool Football Club just as he did each and every single day during the 49 years he spent here.”