Fagan last master of Anfield's boot room

Joe Fagan, the last of the Anfield boot room to manage Liverpool who has died aged 80, has attracted glowing tributes for his remarkable achievements in his short spell as the club's manager.

John Barnwell, the chairman of the League Managers' Association, said the former Liverpool manager richly deserves his place in football's Hall of Fame.

Fagan led the club to an unprecedented Treble in 1984 of Championship, League Cup and European Cup in his first full season in charge. But his second season ended tragically at Heysel when 39 people died before the European Cup final against Juventus.

"What he achieved in 1984 when they won the Treble was remarkable," Barnwell said. "Joe managed to maintain the philosophy started by Bill Shankly and carried on by Bob Paisley. It is so sad that all three men have now passed away. The boot room was a special place and unlike anything you will see in the modern game. Joe take his place not just in the history of football."

Barnwell added: "I met Joe a number of times over the years as a rival manager and he was always approachable and enthusiastic. Mind you he was always very protective of Liverpool and he never gave anything away. He was one of the old school and he deserves to be remembered with great respect."

Liverpool's assistant manager, Phil Thompson, said: "Joe was a fantastic person and of course a fantastic manager. He did a tremendous job for Liverpool and was very proud of what he achieved."

Paul Walsh shot to prominence in English football after an impressive spell with Luton and he was one of Fagan's first signings.

"He was not manager for very long, but there is unbelievable respect for him all around Merseyside," Walsh said. "He was a very down to earth guy, there were no airs and graces about him. He was a very well-liked man at the club, around Merseyside and in football.

"Taking over from Bob Paisley was a very heavy task, but he was one of those 'boot room boys' that stuck together. Bob Paisley was still in the background and he was a big help, but to pull off the Treble in his first season was a fantastic achievement."

The former Liverpool captain Emlyn Hughes said: "He was the last of the management team that went in from the boot room and it's a very, very sad day for Liverpool Football Club."