:Gérard Houllier

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Gérard Houllier
{{postnom|country=GBR|OBE}}

| image = Houllier, Gérard.jpg

| caption = Houllier in 2009

| full_name = Gérard Paul Francis Houllier{{cite web |url=https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/media/livacuk/cgso/committees/Honorary,Graduates,of,the,University.pdf |title=Honorary Graduates of the University |page=7 |publisher=University of Liverpool |access-date=24 February 2025}}

| birth_date = {{birth date|1947|9|3|df=y}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/l/l93732.html |title=Houllier: Gérard Houllier: Manager |publisher=BDFutbol |access-date=21 December 2017}}

| birth_place = Thérouanne, France

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2020|12|14|1947|9|3|df=y}}

| death_place = Paris, France

| height =

| position = Midfielder

| youthyears1 = 1959–1968

| youthclubs1 = Hucqueliers

| years1 = 1968–1969

| clubs1 = Alsop

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 1969–1971

| clubs2 = Hucqueliers

| caps2 =

| goals2 =

| years3 = 1971–1980

| clubs3 = Le Touquet

| caps3 =

| goals3 =

| totalcaps =

| totalgoals =

| nationalyears1 =

| nationalteam1 =

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| manageryears1 = 1973–1976

| managerclubs1 = Le Touquet

| manageryears2 = 1976–1982

| managerclubs2 = Nœux-les-Mines

| manageryears3 = 1982–1985

| managerclubs3 = Lens

| manageryears4 = 1985–1988

| managerclubs4 = Paris Saint-Germain

| manageryears5 = 1992–1993

| managerclubs5 = France

| manageryears6 = 1994–1996

| managerclubs6 = France U18

| manageryears7 = 1996–1997

| managerclubs7 = France U20

| manageryears8 = 1998–2004

| managerclubs8 = Liverpool

| manageryears9 = 2005–2007

| managerclubs9 = Lyon

| manageryears10 = 2010–2011

| managerclubs10 = Aston Villa

| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|FRA}} (manager)}}

}}

Gérard Paul Francis Houllier ({{IPA|fr|ʒeʁaʁ ulje}}; 3 September 1947{{spnd}}14 December 2020) was a French professional football manager and player.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/14/gerard-houllier-obituary|title=Gerard Houllier obituary|access-date=14 December 2020 |work=The Guardian |first=Peter |last=Mason |date=14 December 2020}} Clubs he managed include Paris Saint-Germain, Lens and Liverpool, where he won the FA Cup, League Cup, FA Charity Shield, UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup in 2001. He then guided Lyon to two French titles, before announcing his resignation on 25 May 2007. He became manager of Aston Villa in September 2010. He also coached the France national team between 1992 and 1993. He assisted Aimé Jacquet in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, was part of UEFA's and FIFA's Technical Committee in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, and technical director for the French Football Federation during the 2010 finals. In June 2011, he stepped down from club coaching, leaving his managerial role at Aston Villa, following frequent hospitalisation over heart problems.

From July 2012 until his death, Houllier had been head of global football for Red Bull. He was responsible for Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg, Germany's RB Leipzig and American club New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Brasil, as well as the now dissolved Red Bull Ghana academies. He became the technical director of women's football clubs Lyon Féminin and OL Reign in November 2020.{{cite news |last1=Kidd |first1=Robert |title=Interview: The Olympique Lyon-strategy behind the purchase of a US women's team |url=https://offthepitch.com/a/interview-olympique-lyon-strategy-behind-purchase-us-womens-team |access-date=28 November 2020 |publisher=Off the Pitch |date=24 November 2020}}

Early life

Born in Thérouanne, Houllier entered Lille University to pursue a degree in English, but in the first year his father's serious illness forced him to drop out of full-time study and start work, eventually as a school teacher, while he completed his degree part-time. As part of his degree, he elected to spend a year in 1969–1970 in the city of Liverpool as an assistant at Alsop Comprehensive School, and while there he attended his first Liverpool F.C. match on 16 September 1969, a 10–0 thrashing of Irish club Dundalk. He also played for an amateur local side, Alsop. He was an enthusiastic footballer, but never threatened the professional ranks as a player. He was deputy headmaster of the École Normale d'Arras until reaching age 26 in 1973, when he began his full-time managerial career as player-manager of Le Touquet.{{cite news|url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2147901,00.html|title=Gerard Houllier factfile|publisher=Aston Villa F. C.|date=8 September 2010|access-date=5 November 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111114557/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2147901,00.html|archive-date=11 November 2010}}

Managerial career

=Early career and France national team=

Between 1976 and 1982, Houllier was head coach of French amateur club Nœux-les-Mines. Despite limited resources, the team achieved promotion during his tenure, rising to the Division 2.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Richard |title=From the pits to the peaks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/may/16/uefa.sport3 |access-date=14 December 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=16 May 2001}} He then moved to Lens in 1982, coaching them to promotion to the top division and qualification for the UEFA Cup, before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 1985, where PSG won the French title the following year. In 1988, Houllier was appointed technical director and assistant to the France national team, under manager Michel Platini. Houllier became manager in 1992, but resigned in November 1993 after France failed to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup finals.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/uefa_cup/1319639.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |title=Gerard Houllier profile |date=9 May 2001 |access-date=14 December 2020}}

In the 2011 book Secrets de coachs, Houllier singled out winger David Ginola for blame in a crucial defeat to Bulgaria during the qualification campaign. Ginola filed a lawsuit against Houllier for defamation, but this was dismissed by a French court in 2012.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/apr/04/david-ginola-loses-lawsuit-gerard-houllier|title=David Ginola loses lawsuit against former France coach Gérard Houllier|work=The Guardian |date= 4 April 2012|access-date=4 April 2012}} Houllier remained as technical director for the national team until 1998, a role which included the coaching of France's junior sides. In 1996, Houllier's under-18 side won the European Under-18 Championship, and several members of his youth teams, such as David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry went on to form part of France's victorious team in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-houllier-the-passionate-enthusiast-1184617.html |work=The Independent |title=Football: Houllier the passionate enthusiast |first=Richard |last=Williams |access-date=14 December 2020 |date=23 October 2011}}

=Liverpool=

In July 1998, Houllier was invited to become joint team manager of Liverpool, together with Roy Evans. The arrangement did not work out and Evans resigned in November after losing to Tottenham Hotspur 3–1 at home in the League Cup on 10 November 1998. Prior to the defeat, Liverpool were eliminated from the UEFA Cup by Spanish side Celta de Vigo. The departure of Evans left Houllier in sole charge of the team.{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/11/gerard-houllier-the-man-who-nearly-died-making-liverpool-great-again|title = Gérard Houllier: the man who nearly died making Liverpool great again|date=11 February 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=11 February 2020}}

Houllier began what he described as a five-year programme to rebuild the team, and restore discipline to a squad that had been labelled widely as "Spice Boys", as well as begin a continental approach, both tactically and in terms of personnel, to the game starting in 1999. That summer, Paul Ince, David James, Jason McAteer, Rob Jones, Tony Warner and Steve Harkness were all sold, while Steve McManaman left on a free transfer. Simultaneously, eight new players were signed: Sami Hyypiä, Dietmar Hamann, Stéphane Henchoz, Vladimír Šmicer, Sander Westerveld, Titi Camara, Eric Meijer and Djimi Traoré. The club's youth players such as Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard also became a cornerstone of the team. Liverpool's training facilities at Melwood were thoroughly overhauled.McNulty, Phil (20 May 2004). "Houllier defiant to the end". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 December 2020

{{quote box|width=26%|align=left|quote="When you play in a European final, you are looking for immortality. These boys have produced a game which will be remembered for a long time".|source=—Houllier following Liverpool's victory in the 2001 UEFA Cup Final which secured a cup treble for the club in 2001{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/uefa_cup/1335207.stm |title=Houllier hails brilliant Reds |website=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2001 |access-date=21 April 2011 }} }}

The rebuilding continued in 2000 with the signings of Markus Babbel, Nicky Barmby, Pegguy Arphexad, Grégory Vignal, Emile Heskey, Gary McAllister, Igor Bišćan and Christian Ziege, as well as the departures of David Thompson, Phil Babb, Dominic Matteo, Steve Staunton, Brad Friedel and Stig Inge Bjørnebye. The efforts yielded a result in the successful 2000–01 season, when Liverpool won a cup treble of the League Cup, the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup and finished third in the Premier League, hence qualifying for Champions League. In August 2001, Liverpool won the Charity Shield against Manchester United and UEFA Super Cup against Bayern Munich.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/1506424.stm|title=Liverpool sink Bayern|date=24 August 2001|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=28 September 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715044347/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/1506424.stm |archive-date=15 July 2009}}

In October 2001, after falling ill at half-time at Liverpool's Premier League match with Leeds United, Houllier was rushed to hospital for an emergency operation due to the discovery of a heart condition, an aortic dissection.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/1600589.stm|title=Houllier's scare explained|date=15 October 2001|via=news.bbc.co.uk}} With the help of caretaker manager Phil Thompson, he guided Liverpool to a second-place finish in the 2001–02 FA Premier League season, at the time their best record in the Premiership. Houllier returned to active management of the club after five months, although significantly weakened by the heart condition.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/11/gerard-houllier-the-man-who-nearly-died-making-liverpool-great-again|title=Gérard Houllier: the man who helped to make Liverpool great again|date=11 February 2020|website=The Guardian}}

In the 2002—03 season, Liverpool finished in the fifth place in the Premier League, failing to qualify for the following season's UEFA Champions League after a final-day defeat to Chelsea.{{cite news|title=Chelsea in Champions League|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2978103.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=11 May 2003}} Critics blamed Houllier's unsuccessful summer signings in 2002, namely El Hadji Diouf (Lens, £10 million),{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/el-hadji-diouf-worst-liverpool-10049659|title=El Hadji Diouf was worst Liverpool FC player I played with says Steven Gerrard|first=David|last=Prentice|date=14 September 2015|website=North Wales Live}} Salif Diao (Sedan, £5 million){{Cite web|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/liverpool-in-5m-diao-deal-6317228.html|title=Liverpool in £5m Diao deal|date=27 May 2002|website=Evening Standard}} and Bruno Cheyrou (Lille, £4 million),{{Cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/red-sign-bruno-3558296|title=Red sign Bruno|first=Liverpool|last=Echo|date=16 May 2002|website=Liverpool Echo}} and his failure to make Nicolas Anelka's loan move permanent in favour of signing the ineffective Diouf. Houllier's failure to replace creative talents such as Gary McAllister and Jari Litmanen was also criticised.{{Cite news| title = Graham Kelly: Houllier suffering in the shadow of Shankly and Paisley| work=The Independent| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/graham-kelly-houllier-suffering-in-the-shadow-of-shankly-and-paisley-570904.html | date=23 February 2004 | access-date=3 May 2010

}}{{cite news| title= Football: Houllier pays the price for failure to live up to| publisher=London Independent| url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20040525/ai_n12779706/pg_2| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309151706/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20040525/ai_n12779706/pg_2| url-status=dead| archive-date=9 March 2008}} In March 2003, Liverpool defeated Manchester United 2–0 in the League Cup Final.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/2811805.stm|title=Liverpool lift Worthington Cup|date=2 March 2003|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 September 2010}} In October 2003, Houllier appointed Steven Gerrard club captain.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3194336.stm |title=Gerrard named Reds captain |date=15 October 2003 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=19 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104094539/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3194336.stm |archive-date=4 November 2010}} With Liverpool failing to mount a title challenge in his last two seasons despite substantial investment in players with what was perceived as negative one-dimensional tactics and unattractive football, a poor youth policy, his constant mention of "turning corners"{{cite web|url=http://robots.cnnsi.com/soccer/news/2003/01/28/uk_rdp/ |title=Breaking news, real-time scores and daily analysis from Sports Illustrated – SI.com |publisher=Robots.cnnsi.com |access-date=29 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209232452/http://robots.cnnsi.com/soccer/news/2003/01/28/uk_rdp/ |archive-date=9 February 2008 }} and a lack of support from fans,{{Cite news|url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1095177,00.html |title=Liverpool 1–0 Steaua Bucharest, Football |work=The Guardian |date= 28 November 2003|access-date=29 May 2009 | location=London | first=Dominic | last=Fifield}} these factors led to Houllier's departure from Liverpool on 24 May 2004.{{cite news |last1=McAlinden |first1=Fergal |title=The unravelling of Gerard Houllier's Liverpool |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/09/26/the-unravelling-of-gerard-houllier-liverpool/ |access-date=6 September 2020 |work=These Football Times |date=26 September 2018}} Having qualified the club for the following season's Champions League, Houllier left Liverpool by mutual consent, after reluctantly agreeing to a board request that he leave the club.{{cite news |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hou-takes-last-look-3544484 |work=Liverpool Echo |date=24 May 2004 |title=Hou takes last look}} He was replaced by Valencia coach Rafael Benítez.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3776857.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 June 2004 |title=Liverpool appoint Benitez}}

=Lyon=

On 29 May 2005, it was announced that Houllier had signed a two-year contract as manager of the champions of Ligue 1, succeeding Paul Le Guen. Lyon had just won their previous fourth successive championship and Houllier was hired to convert this domestic dominance to the European stage. Despite continuing this dominance of Ligue 1, Lyon lost to Milan in the quarter-finals of the 2005–06 Champions League while they crashed out to the inexperienced Roma in the first knockout round of the 2006–07 Champions League. Houllier also suffered a cup final defeat (Coupe de la Ligue) to Bordeaux. However, in April 2007, Houllier won his second-straight (Lyon's sixth-straight) Ligue 1 title after Toulouse's loss to Rennes. The 2006–07 season proved to be his last with the club: on 25 May 2007, he stepped down due to a fractious relationship with outspoken chairman Jean-Michel Aulas, who was frustrated at the club's inability to convert domestic dominance into European success.{{Cite news |last=Doyle |first=Paul |date=2007-05-25 |title=Houllier leaves Lyon |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/may/25/newsstory.lyon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302145108/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/may/25/newsstory.lyon |archive-date=2021-03-02 |access-date=2024-04-17 |work=The Guardian |department=Soccer |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |date=25 May 2007 |title=Gérard Houllier to leave OL |url=https://www.ol.fr/en/news/gerard-houllier-quitte-lol-7144-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240417150919/https://www.ol.fr/en/news/gerard-houllier-quitte-lol-7144-2 |archive-date=2024-04-17 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Olympique Lyonnais}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2007-05-25 |orig-date=updated 30 January 2012 |title=Houllier heading out of Lyon |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01c1-0e6e51551348-d79150929e2f-1000--houllier-heading-out-of-lyon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417151932/https://www.uefa.com/news/01c1-0e6e51551348-d79150929e2f-1000--houllier-heading-out-of-lyon/ |archive-date=2024-04-17 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=UEFA |language=en}} An official statement on Lyon's website stated that Houllier asked to be released from the last season of his contract and that request was granted by the president. Houllier also said that he needed a break after experiencing two seasons with Lyon.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=543587.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528063153/http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=543587.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 May 2007 |title=Football Europe – News & Features – News Specific |publisher=UEFA |date=25 May 2007 |access-date=29 May 2009}}

=Return to the France national team=

Houllier was reappointed to the role of technical director for the France national team in September 2007, replacing interim-incumbent Jean-Pierre Morlans.{{cite news |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-france-houllier/houllier-set-for-french-technical-director-role-idUKSP26998420070914 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628232754/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-france-houllier/houllier-set-for-french-technical-director-role-idUKSP26998420070914 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 June 2018 |publisher=Reuters |date=14 September 2007 |title=Houllier set for French technical director role}} Despite the team's poor performance during UEFA Euro 2008, Houllier advised French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes to keep faith with manager Raymond Domenech. This decision attracted criticism as France went on to be eliminated in the first round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.{{cite news |title=French federation boss to quit after WCup fiasco |first=Samuel |last=Petrequin |publisher=Associated Press |via=Taiwan News |date=29 June 2010 |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/1303353}} Escalettes resigned from his post after the tournament, but Houllier chose not to step down. In an interview with Stéphane Mandard of Le Monde, he denied responsibility for the failed campaign, stating that his responsibilities did not extend to the first team and that he was not Domenech's line manager.{{cite news |first=Stéphane |last=Mandard |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2010/07/10/gerard-houllier-l-equipe-de-france-etait-devenue-paranoiaque_1386205_3242.html |work=Le Monde |title=Gérard Houllier : "L'équipe de France était devenue paranoïaque" |language=fr |date=10 July 2010}}

=Aston Villa=

On 8 September 2010, it was announced that English Premier League club Aston Villa had appointed Houllier as their new full-time manager, following the resignation of previous boss Martin O'Neill the month before.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/8969268.stm|title=Aston Villa appoint Gerard Houllier as new manager|date=8 September 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=8 September 2010}} In his first press conference at the club, it was revealed Houllier had not yet signed a contract and would not take charge of the club until a later date due to commitments with the French Football Federation.{{cite web|url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/New-Aston-Villa-boss-Gerard-Houllier-can-t-start-work-until-he-s-cleared-by-the-French-Football-Federation-so-Kevin-MacDonald-will-remain-in-charge-article576543.html |title=New Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier can't start work until he's cleared by the French Football Federation so Kevin MacDonald will remain in charge |publisher=MirrorFootball.co.uk |date=10 September 2010 |access-date=28 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914031951/http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/New-Aston-Villa-boss-Gerard-Houllier-can-t-start-work-until-he-s-cleared-by-the-French-Football-Federation-so-Kevin-MacDonald-will-remain-in-charge-article576543.html |archive-date=14 September 2010 }}

Houllier's first match in charge was the League Cup match against Blackburn Rovers on 22 September. Villa won the match 3–1, coming back from a goal down to progress to the next round of the competition.{{cite news |last1=Macaskill |first1=Sandy |title=Aston Villa 3 Blackburn Rovers 1: match report |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/league-cup/8018600/Aston-Villa-3-Blackburn-Rovers-1-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/league-cup/8018600/Aston-Villa-3-Blackburn-Rovers-1-match-report.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=6 September 2020 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=23 September 2010}}{{cbignore}} It was announced on 18 September 2010 that Gary McAllister had agreed to become his assistant manager, with Gordon Cowans also taking a role in Houllier's backroom staff.{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2157961,00.html |title=Gerard Houllier's backroom team announced, Latest News, Aston Villa |publisher=Avfc.co.uk |access-date=28 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920202922/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~2157961%2C00.html |archive-date=20 September 2010}} Two days after the Blackburn match, he signed a three-year contract.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/9032375.stm |work=BBC News | title=Houllier finally signs Villa deal | date=24 September 2010}} However, Houllier's start at the club proved to be difficult. The side was hit with injuries to key players Gabriel Agbonlahor, Stiliyan Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker and Emile Heskey, and managed just one win in ten Premier League matches.{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/dec/06/gerard-houllier-aston-villa | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Andy | last=Hunter | title=Our confidence is low, admits Aston Villa's manager Gérard Houllier | date=6 December 2010}} In November 2010, Houllier signed 37-year-old former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires on a free transfer in an attempt to aid the club during its injury crisis.{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_6514448,00.html |title=Villa complete Pires deal |publisher=Sky Sports |date=18 November 2010 |access-date=28 April 2011}} By January 2011, Villa had picked up just 21 points from 20 Premier League matches. The club had also been knocked out of the League Cup the previous month by local rivals Birmingham City. On 5 January, Villa were beaten 1–0 at home by Sunderland; this loss left Villa in 18th position in the league table, the first time they had been in the relegation zone since 2003.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9331248.stm |work=BBC News | title=Aston Villa 0–1 Sunderland | date=5 January 2011}} During the match, a selection of the home crowd targeted Houllier with chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" to vent their frustration at the club's poor run of form.{{cite web|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/05012011/63/black-cats-beat-villa.html |title=Black Cats beat Villa|publisher=Uk.eurosport.yahoo.com |access-date=28 April 2011}} Despite this, Villa directors acted quickly to insist that Houllier's job as manager was safe.{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_6638184,00.html |title=Houllier safe in Villa job |publisher=Sky Sports |date=6 January 2011 |access-date=28 April 2011}}

In the January transfer Window, Houllier signed Kyle Walker on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in a bid to improve Villa's struggling defence.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/8244649/Aston-Villa-sign-Tottenham-defender-Kyle-Walker-on-loan.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/8244649/Aston-Villa-sign-Tottenham-defender-Kyle-Walker-on-loan.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Aston Villa sign Tottenham defender Kyle Walker on loan|website=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} This signing was followed by the arrival of Jean Makoun from Houllier's former club Lyon,{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/574399-aston-villa-snap-up-jean-il-makoun-from-olympique-lyonnais|title=Aston Villa Snap Up Jean Il Makoun from Olympique Lyonnais|first=Blue|last=Roo|website=Bleacher Report}} before Sunderland's Darren Bent was brought to Villa Park in a deal that broke the club's transfer record.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jan/18/darren-bent-aston-villa-sunderland|title=Darren Bent completes £24m move to Aston Villa from Sunderland|first=Staff and|last=agencies|date=18 January 2011|website=The Guardian}} Villa's January transfer window was rounded off with the loan signing of American international midfielder Michael Bradley from Borussia Mönchengladbach. In February 2011, Houllier criticised the commitment of Villa defenders Habib Beye and Stephen Warnock. The pair were forced to train with the club's reserve side and were not selected by the Frenchman, even when the club faced even more injury concerns.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/71954.html |title=Gerard Houllier banishes Stephen Warnock and Habib Beye to reserves |publisher=ESPN.co.uk |date=4 February 2011 |access-date=28 April 2011}} After the defeat to Sunderland, Villa underwent a revival, winning five and drawing three of their next nine matches in the league and FA Cup, including defeating Manchester City 1–0 in a run which saw the team climb to 12th.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/aston-villa/tab/matches/season/2011/ |website=11v11.com |title=Aston Villa football club match record: 2011}}{{cite news |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9404335.stm |title=Aston Villa 4-1 Blackburn |date=26 February 2011}}

However, Villa were eliminated from the FA Cup by Manchester City via a 3–0 away loss in early March 2011. Houllier chose to rest a number of key first-team players, a move that was criticised by fans and the media alike.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9410462.stm |work=BBC News | title=Manchester City 3–0 Aston Villa | date=2 March 2011}} The club's league form also failed to improve. During a team-bonding exercise at a health spa in Leicestershire, Villa defenders James Collins and Richard Dunne were involved in a confrontation with club staff. The players were each fined two weeks' wages. However, Houllier said the incident did not affect team morale.{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2011/03/18/dunne-and-collins-are-fined-by-villa/ |title=Dunne and Collins are fined by Villa|work= Express & Star |date=18 March 2011 |access-date=28 April 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6820611,00.html |title=Houllier – Villa still united, Aston Villa News, Fixtures, Results, Transfers |publisher=Sky Sports |date=18 March 2011 |access-date=28 April 2011}} On 19 March, Villa faced local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League at Villa Park. Prior to the match, a banner reading, "Had enough, Houllier out" was unveiled by some supporters in the stadium's Holte End stand.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/gerard-houllier-is-experiencing-a-case-of-deja-vu-at-aston-villa-1.433732|title=Gerard Houllier is experiencing a case of deja vu at Aston Villa|website=The National|date=22 March 2011}} However, this was quickly removed by the club's stewarding staff. The away side won 1–0 thanks to a goal from Matt Jarvis, claiming their first win against Aston Villa in 31 years. Towards the end of the match, the home fans once again verbally attacked Houllier with chants of "we want Houllier out" and "you don't know what you're doing", before giving a chorus of boos at the final whistle.{{cite web |title=Aston Villa 0–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0319/277854-astonvilla_wolves/ |website=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |access-date=6 September 2020 |date=19 March 2011}}

On 20 April 2011, Houllier was admitted to hospital after falling ill during the night. His condition was said to be stable, but he was not able to be at Aston Villa's training session the following day, and was not able to attend their match against Stoke City on 23 April, or any subsequent matches of the 2010–11 season. Gary McAllister took charge of all first team affairs in his stead.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13154952 |title=Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier in hospital |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=21 April 2011 |access-date=28 April 2011}}{{cite news|last=Macaskill |first=Sandy |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/8465457/Aston-Villa-manager-Gerard-Houllier-rushed-to-hospital-after-being-taken-ill.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130422044116/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/8465457/Aston-Villa-manager-Gerard-Houllier-rushed-to-hospital-after-being-taken-ill.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 April 2013 |title=Aston Villa allay fears over Gerard Houllier's health after manager rushed to hospital after being taken ill |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 April 2011 |access-date=28 April 2011 |location=London}} On 1 June 2011, Houllier stepped down as manager of Aston Villa by mutual consent.{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2370322,00.html |title=Club statement: Gerard Houllier |date=1 June 2011 |publisher=Aston Villa |access-date=1 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603061930/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~2370322%2C00.html |archive-date=3 June 2011}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jun/01/aston-villa-confirm-gerard-houllier-departure|title=Aston Villa confirm Gérard Houllier's departure as manager|date=1 June 2011|work=Guardian|access-date=1 June 2011}} In Houllier's only season, Villa finished ninth.{{cite web |title=Aston Villa summary |url=http://www.lerwill-life.org.uk/astonvilla/a_villa_summary.htm |website=Lerwill Life |access-date=22 April 2020 |archive-date=8 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208092559/http://www.lerwill-life.org.uk/astonvilla/a_villa_summary.htm |url-status=dead }}

Death

Houllier died on 14 December 2020, aged 73, in Paris, after a heart operation. Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard paid tribute to Houllier, saying, "He was more than just a manager" and that he shaped him into "a better player, a better person, a better leader".{{cite news |title=Gérard Houllier, former Liverpool and France manager, dies aged 73 |date=14 December 2020 |access-date=14 December 2020 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/14/gerard-houllier-former-liverpool-and-france-manager-dies-aged-73}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55300386|title=Ex-Liverpool boss Houllier dies aged 73|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 December 2020|access-date=14 December 2020}}{{Cite web|last=Mason|first=Peter|date=14 December 2020|title=Gérard Houllier obituary|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/14/gerard-houllier-obituary|access-date=14 December 2020|work=The Guardian}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55316402|title=Houllier 'a special man' - Gerrard|work=BBC Sport}}

Managerial statistics

class=wikitable style="text-align: center" \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
rowspan=2\|Team !rowspan=2\|From !rowspan=2\|To !colspan=5\|Record !rowspan=2\|{{abbr\|Refs\|References}}
{{abbr\|P\|Matches played}}	{{abbr\|W\|Matches won}}	{{abbr\|D\|Matches drawn}}	{{abbr\|L\|Matches lost}}	{{abbr\|Win %\|Win percentage}}
align=left\|Paris Saint-Germain \|align=left\|{{ublist\|July 1985\|February 1988}} \|align=left\|{{ublist\|October 1987\|June 1988}} {{WDL\|123\|55\|34\|34\|decimals=1}} \|{{cite web \|url=https://histoiredupsg.fr/les-matchs-du-psg-en-chiffres/ \|title=Les chiffres du PSG: Les chiffres par saison \|language=fr \|trans-title=PSG by numbers: Seasons by numbers \|website=Histoire du PSG \|access-date=22 November 2024 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109213104/https://histoiredupsg.fr/les-matchs-du-psg-en-chiffres/ \|archive-date=9 November 2024}}{{#tag:ref\|Erick Mombaerts was manager for the intervening eight matches with an 8–1–3–4 record.{{cite web \|url=https://histoiredupsg.fr/saison-1987-1988/ \|title=Saison 1987–1988 \|language=fr \|trans-title=1987–88 season \|website=Histoire du PSG \|access-date=22 November 2024 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318131144/https://histoiredupsg.fr/saison-1987-1988 \|archive-date=18 March 2022}}\|group="nb"}}
align=left\|France \|align=left\|1 July 1992 \|align=left\|25 November 1993 {{WDL\|12\|7\|1\|4\|decimals=1}} \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/selectionneur/120-gerard-houllier/fiche.html \|title=Gérard Houllier \|language=fr \|publisher=Fédération Française de Football \|access-date=22 November 2024}}
align=left\|Liverpool (with Roy Evans) \|align=left\|1 July 1998 \|align=left\|12 November 1998 {{WDL\|18\|7\|6\|5\|decimals=1}} \|{{Soccerbase manager\|1314\|Gerard Houllier}}. Retrieved 22 November 2024.{{cite web \|url=https://www.lfchistory.net/managers/statistics/ \|title=Managers statistics \|website=LFChistory \|access-date=22 November 2024}}
align=left\|Liverpool \|align=left\|12 November 1998 \|align=left\|24 May 2004 {{WDL\|307\|158\|75\|74\|decimals=1}} \|
align=left\|Lyon \|align=left\|2 June 2005 \|align=left\|1 June 2007 {{WDL\|108\|69\|25\|14\|decimals=1}} \|
align=left\|Aston Villa \|align=left\|21 September 2010 \|align=left\|1 June 2011 {{WDL\|39\|14\|11\|14\|decimals=1}} \|
colspan="3"\|Total {{WDLtot\|607\|310\|152\|145\|decimals=1}} \|

class=wikitable style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan=2|Team

!rowspan=2|From

!rowspan=2|To

!colspan=5|Record

!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Refs|References}}

align=left|Paris Saint-Germain

|align=left|{{ublist|July 1985|February 1988}}

|align=left|{{ublist|October 1987|June 1988}}

|{{cite web |url=https://histoiredupsg.fr/les-matchs-du-psg-en-chiffres/ |title=Les chiffres du PSG: Les chiffres par saison |language=fr |trans-title=PSG by numbers: Seasons by numbers |website=Histoire du PSG |access-date=22 November 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109213104/https://histoiredupsg.fr/les-matchs-du-psg-en-chiffres/ |archive-date=9 November 2024}}{{#tag:ref|Erick Mombaerts was manager for the intervening eight matches with an 8–1–3–4 record.{{cite web |url=https://histoiredupsg.fr/saison-1987-1988/ |title=Saison 1987–1988 |language=fr |trans-title=1987–88 season |website=Histoire du PSG |access-date=22 November 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318131144/https://histoiredupsg.fr/saison-1987-1988 |archive-date=18 March 2022}}|group="nb"}}

align=left|France

|align=left|1 July 1992

|align=left|25 November 1993

|{{cite web |url=https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/selectionneur/120-gerard-houllier/fiche.html |title=Gérard Houllier |language=fr |publisher=Fédération Française de Football |access-date=22 November 2024}}

align=left|Liverpool (with Roy Evans)

|align=left|1 July 1998

|align=left|12 November 1998

|{{Soccerbase manager|1314|Gerard Houllier}}. Retrieved 22 November 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.lfchistory.net/managers/statistics/ |title=Managers statistics |website=LFChistory |access-date=22 November 2024}}

align=left|Liverpool

|align=left|12 November 1998

|align=left|24 May 2004

align=left|Lyon

|align=left|2 June 2005

|align=left|1 June 2007

align=left|Aston Villa

|align=left|21 September 2010

|align=left|1 June 2011

colspan="3"|Total

Honours

File:Gérard Houllier (cropped).jpg in 2008]]

=Manager=

Nœux-les-Mines

Division 3 Group North: 1978–79{{Cite web|title=US Nœux-les-Mines|url=https://www.statfootballclubfrance.fr/union-sportive-noeux-les-mines.php|access-date=10 June 2021|website=Stat Football Club France|language=fr}}

Paris Saint-Germain

Division 1: 1985–86{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/coaches/gerard-houllier/152362/|title=France - G. Houllier - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com}}

Liverpool

Lyon

Ligue 1: 2005–06, 2006–07
Trophée des Champions: 2005, 2006

France U18

UEFA European Under-18 Championship: 1996{{cite web |title=Renowned French coach Gérard Houllier passes away |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0264-11167dbf0531-88619c984f86-1000--renowned-coach-gerard-houllier-passes-away/ |publisher=UEFA |access-date=14 December 2020 |date=14 December 2020}}

Individual

UEFA Team of the Year: 2001{{Cite web|url=http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2001.html|title=TEAM OF THE YEAR 2001|publisher=UEFA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608180819/http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2001.html|archive-date=8 June 2014}}
World Soccer Magazine World Manager of the Year: 2001{{Cite news |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 December 2001 |title=Liverpool treble award |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1710762.stm}}
Onze Mondial Coach of the Year: 2001{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |title="Onze Mondial" Awards |first=José Luis |last=Pierrend |website=RSSSF |access-date=12 December 2020}}
Ligue 1 Manager of the Year: 2007{{cite web |url=http://www.sportpalmares.eu/Trophees-UNFP-Oscars-du-football,238.html |title= Palmarès Trophées UNFP - Oscars du football - Meilleur entraîneur de Ligue 1 |access-date=2 August 2017 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802084739/http://www.sportpalmares.eu/Trophees-UNFP-Oscars-du-football,238.html |archive-date=2 August 2017}}
Premier League Manager of the Month: December 1999, March 2002, October 2002{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/managers/1578/Gérard-Houllier/overview |title=Manager profile: Gérard Houllier |publisher=Premier League |access-date=18 September 2018}}

=Orders=

Knight of the Legion of Honour: 2002{{cite journal |date=31 March 2002 |title=Décret du 29 mars 2002 portant promotion et nomination |trans-title=Decree of 29 March 2002 on promotion and appointment |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000594363 |journal=Official Journal of the French Republic |volume=2002 |issue=77 |id=PREX0200003D |access-date=15 March 2025 |language=fr}}
Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire: 2003{{Cite web|title=Wenger and Houllier given honorary OBEs|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2405876/Wenger-and-Houllier-given-honorary-OBEs.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2405876/Wenger-and-Houllier-given-honorary-OBEs.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=14 December 2020|website=The Daily Telegraph|language=en-GB}}{{cbignore}}

References

External links

{{soccerbase (manager)|id=1314|name=Gérard Houllier}}
[http://www.sitercl.com/Fichejo/H/houllieg.htm Profile, stats and pictures of Gerard Houllier] {{in lang|fr}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20090204012854/http://www.lfconline.com/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDB4&id=138738 LFC Online profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20071004214038/http://www.lfchistory.net/managers_profile.asp?manager_id=16 Manager profile at LFChistory.net]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070918074401/http://www.itv-football.co.uk/story/0%2C19239%2C6145_2728261%2C00.html Gérard Houllier – Nomination FFF Role]

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Category:1947 births

Category:2020 deaths