Alan Hansen honoured with MBE for services to football and broadcasting | OneFootball

Alan Hansen: Liverpool Legend Honoured with MBE

Few players define an era. Even fewer transcend their playing days to become an authority in the sport. Alan Hansen did both. A Liverpool great, a defensive maestro, and later, one of football’s most respected voices, Hansen has now been recognised with an MBE for services to football and broadcasting.

A Career Built on Silverware

Hansen’s Liverpool career was nothing short of remarkable. Across 14 years at Anfield, he was the linchpin of one of the club’s most dominant sides. Signed from Partick Thistle in 1977, the elegant centre-back became a key figure under Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, and Kenny Dalglish, winning eight First Division titles, three European Cups, and two FA Cups. His leadership was invaluable—composed on the ball, decisive in defence, and a captain who commanded respect.

Photo: IMAGO

A Respected Voice in Football

Retirement in 1991 did not mark the end of his influence. Hansen stepped seamlessly into punditry, becoming a cornerstone of BBC’s Match of the Day from 1992 to 2014. His incisive analysis, delivered with authority and wit, set a new standard for football broadcasting. “You can’t win anything with kids,” he famously remarked in 1995—words that would haunt him as Manchester United’s young side went on to lift the Premier League title.

Recognition for an Icon

Now 69, Hansen received his MBE at Windsor Castle, a fitting tribute to his immense contributions to the game. Last summer, he faced a serious health scare, spending two weeks in hospital before being discharged to recover at home. But his impact on Liverpool and football remains undiminished.

Liverpool fans will always cherish Hansen—not just for his elegance on the pitch, but for his insight off it. His MBE is a deserved honour for a true great of the game.