Top of the pile: Gerard Houllier is set for a
return to England
Gerard Houllier is set for a dramatic return to English
football with Aston Villa.
The Frenchman, who has been out of work for three years,
has held talks with Villa owner Randy Lerner about succeeding
Martin O’Neill.
Houllier has jumped to the top of Villa’s wish list after the
club’s decision makers began their round of interviews this
week.
Alan Curbishley, Sven Goran Eriksson and caretaker boss
Kevin MacDonald have all been interviewed following the club’s 1-0
victory over Everton last Sunday.
However, the former Liverpool boss is now the hot favourite to
take over at Villa Park as the club tries to move swiftly following
an uncertain three weeks in the wake of O’Neill’s sudden exit.
It is as yet unknown in what capacity the Frenchman will
return.
Interview technique: Alan Curbishley (left) and Sven
Goran Eriksson were approached by Villa
Lerner and his chief executive Paul Faulkner were
mindful that several of O’Neill’s staff followed the Irishman out
of the exit when he decided to call time on his four year stay at
the Birmingham club.
O’Neill’s staff - including assistant John Robertson, coach
Steve Walford and chief scout Ian Storey-Moore - all quit at the
same time, leaving Villa with a huge gap to fill just five days
before the start of a new campaign in the Barclays Premier
League.
Houllier could be employed either as a manager in his own right
or as a director of football with the brief to oversee a major
overhaul of the club’s scouting and recruitment policy.
Finest hour: Houllier masteminded Liverpool's UEFA
Cup win in 2001
Houllier, now 62, has struggled with his health in
previous years, suffering a heart attack while in the dugout at
Anfield during his six year stay at the club.
He left Liverpool in 2004 after first assuming control with Roy
Evans as part of a dream team that was put together to thrust the
Reds back towards the top of English football.
Houllier’s joint managership lasted just four months and he
oversaw a complete overhaul of their squad after his first season
at the club signing seven new players and letting 10 go.
Paul Ince and Jason McAteer were victims of the new regime and
Steve McManaman left when his contract expired, so the Frenchman
has no fear of radical change.
Houllier spent more than £100 million during his time on
Merseyside but his finest moment came in 2001 when he landed a cup
treble of the Worthington Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in the same
season.
Although there are funds available to spend at Villa Park, the
transfer window has now closed but at least the lure of a
recognised top name will satisfy Villa’s supporters as the club’s
shortlist was resoundingly shy of star quality following O’Neill’s
walk out.
