FAREWELL TO KOP LEGEND
ONNIE MORAN 1934-2017
RONNIE MORAN’S recent biography could not have had a better title than “Mr Liverpool”.
That is who he was and yesterday tributes led by Kop boss Jurgen Klopp poured in from all over the world after news of his death.
Moran’s son, Paul, who helped produce the book, announced his father had passed away after a short illness at the age of 83.
The former defender spent 49 years at Liverpool, as a player and almost every role in the coaching set-up, winning a remarkable 44 trophies.
He may have once been known as a “Rottweiler” because of his hard-nosed approach to coaching, but the pillar of the club’s famous Boot Room was more affectionately known as “Bugsy”.
Honour
One of the club’s most influential figures was deeply loved and that was shown by the outpouring of grief yesterday.
“It’s a sad day,” said Klopp. “I had the honour of meeting him last year around the League Cup Final.
“Obviously I am not from Liverpool, I am not from England, and so I needed a little bit of help but when I heard about this very special story, then it was really nice to meet him. It was a big honour for me.”
Former Liverpool boss Roy Evans said: “It’s a sad end to a great man’s life. Ronnie Moran is one of the greats of Liverpool.”
And ex-Anfield stalwart defender Phil Thompson said: “This is not just a flippant comment – Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley... great. Ronnie Moran is up there with those two greats. To see him work was an absolute wonder.”
Jamie Carragher described Moran as “the man who kept everyone grounded” during the elation of their glory days and was the man responsible for spotting his potential as a centreback at 18.
Kop icon Steven Gerrard said: “The reason our club has a fantastic history is because of people like him.”
After retirement he was a regular face around the club’s Melwood training ground, where he would go for a daily jog, touching the lives and careers of players beyond his official time.
Current captain Jordan Henderson said: “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.”
Moran retired in 1998 and was diagnosed with vascular dementia four years ago. His deteriorating health meant he could not attend his book launch three weeks ago.