Roy Evans : Manager (1994 - June 1998) Joint-Manager (July 1998 - Nov. 1998)Date of Birth: 4/10/48
Birthplace: Bootle, Merseyside
Honours: 1 LEAGUE CUP 1994-95
RUNNERS UP: FA Cup - 1995-96
PROFILE
Roy Evans' love affair with Liverpool began at the age of seven when he attended his first game at Anfield. As he grew older he went on to play at left-back for England schoolboys in 1963 before joining Liverpool as an apprentice two years later.
He made his full debut in 1969, playing 3 games in the 1969/70 season, and played occasionally at left-back for Liverpool during the seasons 1969/70 to 1973/74, but following Shankly's shock resignation in 1974 Bob Paisley persuaded him, at the age of 25, to direct his talents into coaching, and he became the youngest member of the famous 'Boot Room'. John Smith, the Chairman at the time, predicted: "We have not made an appointment for the present but for the future. One day Roy Evans will be our manager." Appointed Reserve Team Coach, Roy won the Central League Championship in his first season, 1975, and went on to win it seven times in nine years, before Joe Fagan took over as manager from the retiring Paisley, and appointed him to the senior coaching staff, where he played a part in Liverpool's great triumphs under Fagan, including the Treble of 1983/84, and subsequently under Dalglish, including the Double of 1985/86.
After Dalglish had stunned everyone by resigning in 1991, Graeme Souness was brought in as manager. Evans was appointed Souness's assistant in 1993. Roy eventually became the Liverpool Manager in 1993/94 following the departure of Graeme Souness, and quickly returned a calming influence to the Club - chairman David Moores described him as: "The last of the Shankly lads". Evans was popular choice, and gave a great boost to the Club.
However he too struggled with worryingly lack-lustre displays from his players and the abysmal F A Cup appearance in 1996 against Manchester United and their ill-advised Armani suits, led to the damaging 'Spice Boy' tag being applied to his leading players.
This was a defining moment in retrospect as an F A Cup win would have given Evans an invaluable lift. As it was, despite winning the League Cup in 1994/95 and never finishing below 4th in the League after the season when he first took over, Roy was unable to deliver another cup or the League Championship which the Club and its fans demanded.
His transfer deals were only qualified successes, but his support and development of the likes of Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Michael Owen in particular, stand as proof that he knew how to develop local talent. Evans to his credit reacted positively to the unusual decision to bring in a joint manager - Gérard Houllier - to share the burden at the start of the 1998/99 season, and they did their best to make the partnership work.
The arrangement, however, was not a success, and Roy and the Club decided by mutual agreement that he would leave, making the sad announcement on 12th November 1998.
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