#INSERT type:image caption:Bill Shankly won three league titles and three cups for Liverpool. END#
Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has tweeted a photograph of the letter written by Anfield great Bill Shankly to tender his resignation as manager.
The letter, dated June 18 1974, is now in the archives of the new Shankly Hotel in Liverpool city centre.
Shankly wrote to Anfield chairman John Smith to say he wished to resign in order to retire and asked them to "take the necessary steps for my pensions to commence."
It brought down the curtain on his stunningly successful 15-year stint as the Merseysiders' manager.
Exclusive!!from the new Shankly Hotel Archive!lSt letter from Liverpool FCs Greatest Employee.IStill adore Shanks pic.twitter.com/2MFNn7jZlZ
- John Aldridge (@Realaldo474) July 26, 2015
Aldridge wrote: "This is Shanks' last letter before his resignation was accepted! Liverpool FC's greatest employee. Still adore Shanks."
The letter reads: "I would like to retire as Manager of Liverpool Football Club as soon as possible and would be grateful if you would take the necessary steps for my pensions to commence. Yours faithfully, W. Shankly."
The month after the letter was delivered, Liverpool called a press conference at which Smith said: "It is with great regret that I, as chairman of Liverpool Football Club, have to inform you that Mr Shankly has intimated that he wishes to retire from active participation in league football.
"The board has, with extreme reluctance, accepted his decision."
Shankly began his career as Liverpool manager in 1959, and won three First Division titles, two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup. His reign paved the way for the club's dominance in the 1970s and 1980s.
He died in 1981 at the age of 68.