Houllier to be new Boss?

September 3, 2010 by
Filed under: Aston Villa, Hot topic debates, Villa Manager 

The Daily Mail have reported tonight that Gerard Houllier is to be the new man in charge at Villa Park. The 62 year old, if the papers are anything to go by, is now the hot favourite with the board and will become Villa’s first foreign manager for 20 years, Jozef Venglos was the man in charge, spending just one season at the club.

Houllier will be best known to the Villa faithful for his role in charge of Liverpool. The Frenchman spent 6 years at the club, originally alongside Roy Evans, so has plenty of experience of the league and also valuable experience of playing at Europa Cup and Champions League level. This is thought to have been a clinching factor for the Midlands club and they will be hoping, if Houllier does take charge, he can lead them back into Europe at the first time of asking.

Houllier spent a year in charge of the French national team after a 3 year spell at PSG before a 5 year break until his days at Anfield. He made some landmark signings including Hyypia and Hamman who became scouse favourites but also made some questionable transfers whilst in charge, see Djimi Traore! A couple of interesting links to Villa players include his signing of current Villa striker Emile Heskey as well as the sale of keeper Brad Friedel whilst at the club.

After he left Liverpool in 2004 he took charge at French giants Lyon between 2005-07. Whilst there he was inadvertently helping Villa improve by agreeing to swap John Carew with the frankly useless Milan Baros. Let’s hope those sort of deals aren’t emulated were he to join. It’s fair to say Villa could expect to see some young French hopefuls arriving at the club as Houllier looked to do whilst at Liverpool, not all of whom set the world alight. If Houllier does get the job I would hope to see him employed alongside MacDonald who knows the ins and outs of the club although maybe a reunion with the great honk of Soccer Saturday, Phil Thompson, could be on the cards.

If true this is pretty massive news so what do you think guys, is he the right man for the job?

UTV!


Comments

5 Comments on Houllier to be new Boss?

  1. dudley avfc on Fri, 3rd Sep 2010 1:04

    2. every newspaper (including the Daily Mail) is reporting that he will be our Director of Football/Technical Director…

    go and read the articles and re-write your blog because it is irrelevant until you write about the correct role he will be taking…

  2. Villamat on Fri, 3rd Sep 2010 1:41

    3. I think Houllier would be a rubbish manager as he is too old so can’t see him being at Villa too long

  3. stuart on Fri, 3rd Sep 2010 5:36

    4. I think we would be follish to rulw a manager of his experience out. However, I’ve also read that article and they may expect to much to soon from him with them apparently wanting europe at the first time of asking.

  4. Lee on Fri, 3rd Sep 2010 5:53

    5. Well i hope it is true, his record tells its own story. I dont think KM is the man for the job, he would be a good 2nd, but not manager. If it is true, we could see some good players from aboard with, lets face it we not used to under MON. Now before you all gang up on me, MON did all he could with us, but if we get Houllier this could take us on to the next level we have hoped for.

  5. martinlaurence on Fri, 3rd Sep 2010 10:27

    6. The role that Houllier would take, if he were to join is complete speculation at the moment Dudley. Although there have been reports he may become Director of Football he was also still favourite to become Villa manager at that time so I’m only reporting rumours and not what’s actually happened. New day and a new manager linked today anyway so maybe Houllier won’t get the job.

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