He joined Rochdale as trainer before settling at Anfield as assistant trainer in May 1958.
He was appointed first team trainer in 1971 and, when Bill Shankly retired in 1974, became assitant manager under Bob Paisley.
When Paisley himself retired in 1983 Fagan took over as manager, leading the club to an unprecedented treble and becoming Manager of the Year in 1984.
The Heysel tragedy overshadowed Fagan's second and final year in charge and he handed over to Kenny Dalglish at the end of the 1985 season.
Sadly Joe died in July 2001 at the age of 80 after a long illness.
What they say...
"Top class man, Joe was a completely nice man, whether or not that was to his benefit in football, it doesn't always happen that way. He was totally honest in what he said and thought, there was nothing underhand about him. He was a really hardworking man and very talented man - he was terrific."
Roy Evans
"Honesty and warmth sums up the man. In the business that football is it can't be said of too many people and its a great tribute to the man himself. He knew football and knew exactly what he wanted. He was a winner aswell and rightly so he should be held in high esteem at Liverpool Football Club alongside Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley."
Gary Gillespie
He wouldn't move from his house a few hundred yards from Anfield. He got the house as a club house and insisted on walking to work. He used to warm his cap up infront of the fire, put his cap on and off he'd go up the road. Even when he was manager it was the same thing, walk up Arkles Lane even on match day, not a problem.
Joe's son, Michael Fagan