|
RMC sport and sports daily L'Equipe said
Houllier, who also coached Paris St Germain, Olympique Lyonnais
and Aston Villa, died after having a heart operation in Paris.
"We are mourning the passing of our treble-winning manager,
Gerard Houllier," Liverpool said on Twitter.
"The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with
Gerard’s family and many friends. Rest in peace, Gerard Houllier
1947-2020."
The French football federation said it extended "its deepest
condolences to the family and friends" of Houllier, who had a
long association with the national team as a youth coach, an
assistant and head coach between 1992 and 1993.
Houllier had a long history of heart problems, dating back to
when he was rushed to hospital at halftime of a Premier League
game between Liverpool and Leeds United in October 2001.
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, who scored two goals to
win the 2001 FA Cup final against Arsenal, was among many
leading figures in English football to pay tribute to the
Frenchman.
Owen wrote on Twitter: "Absolutely heartbroken to hear that my
old boss, Gerard Houllier, has sadly passed away. A great
manager and a genuinely caring man. #RIPBoss".
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher added: "Loved that man
to bits, he changed me as a person & as a player & got @LFC back
winning trophies. RIP Boss."
Phil Thompson, Houllier's assistant at the Merseyside club who
was caretaker coach while the Frenchman was recovering from
heart problems, paid tribute to his human qualities.
"My mate, my colleague, my boss," he wrote on Twitter.
"One of the greatest moments of my life was when we come
together in 1998. Just to be in his company was an absolute
treat. So loyal, so passionate and extremely fierce."
After an insignificant playing career in France's lower leagues,
Houllier began coaching in 1973, earning his first big job with
Lens before taking over at Paris St Germain.
He became France's assistant coach in 1988 and then manager in
1992 but had a short, unsuccessful spell in charge.
He resigned after failing to take the team to the 1994 World Cup
in the United States following shock home defeats by Israel and
Bulgaria, losing the latter game, which they only needed to draw
to qualify, 2-1 after a goal in added time.
Houllier described the defeat by Bulgaria as "the most
catastrophic scenario imaginable" and focused on youth coaching
immediately after the debacle.
He rebuilt his reputation at Liverpool, however, joining as
co-manager with Roy Evans in 1998 before assuming full
responsibility and leading the team to a treble of the FA Cup,
League Cup and UEFA Cup in 2001.
He also had success back in France with Lyon, leading them to
back-to-back Ligue 1 titles.
He returned to management after taking a break in 2010 with
Villa but left the role less than a year later following further
heart troubles.
(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; writing by John Irish; Editing by
Andrew Heavens and Christian Radnedge)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
