Aston Villa confirms Gérard Houllier is their new ‘Boss’
Gérard Houllier has been appointed as Aston Villa’s new manager, which has bought an end to their protracted search for a replacementof their very successful ex manager Martin O’Neill. Gérard Houllier, the ex-Liverpool Manager, has been granted a three-year contract at Villa Park.
However, there were speculations as to who will be the assistant manager of Houllier, since Phil Thompson declined the opportunity to reunite with his former boss for a partnership which had been very successful at Anfield. However, Houllier is likely to bring in Patrice Bergues as his assistant manager. The pair has worked since Houllier was at Liverpool. Moreover, Patrice Bergues was also Houllier’s partner at French club, Lyon.
Martin O’Neill resigned as the Villains coach, just five days before the start of Barclays English Premier League. That was a huge shocker for Aston Villa and its community. Martin O’Neill, who also managed Scottish giants Celtics, helped Aston Villa to their third successive sixth-place finish in the Barclays English Premier League last season.
The 58-year-old, O'Neill has transmuted the fortunes of Aston Villa since taking charge from David O'Leary in August 2006. The Irishman, Martin O’Neill helped The Lions come up from a relegated position to the six-place finish in his Barclays Premier League debut season. Under the supervision of Martin O’Neill, Aston Villa reached the final of Carling cup which they eventually lost to English giants, Manchester United. But this Carling Cup final was their first visit to the historic Wembley Stadium after 10 years.
The 63-year-old will succeed Martin O'Neill. The Frenchman has made a comeback to Barclays Premier League after a six-year gap since he left Liverpool. Houllier is relishing the challenge of helping Aston Villa to build on the success accomplished under their ex-Boss Martin O'Neill.
Gérard Houllier told Aston Villa’s website: "I am very happy and proud to join this great and historic club.” The former Liverpool manager went on to show his loyalty to FFF [French Football Federation] as he commented that it was a very difficult decision for him to leave the FFF [French Football Federation]. In addition to that he said it was impossible for him to decline an offer from a club with great heritage.
Aston Villa’s new boss also admired the environment of the club both on and off the pitch, claiming that Aston Villa is one England’s biggest clubs.
Gérard Houllier is one of the most successful managers of modern day football. Houllier will be best remembered by Barclays English Premier League followers for his six-year stay at Anfield. The 63-year-old Frenchman was a teacher in Liverpool in the late sixties. Houllier coached a succession of clubs in France before becoming joint-manager of Liverpool alongside Roy Evans in 1998.
When Gérard Houllier was head coach at Noeux Les Mines (French Club), he managed the club to two consecutive promotions and finally into the French Second Division. Houllier’s success story also continued at Lens who he joined in 1982.
Moreover, the Frenchman led the club to promotion into French First Division and even into UEFA Cup qualification. Houllier, kept on giving fabulous performances and winning laurels for himself. In 1985 when he moved to Paris’ Saint-German, the club won their first ever French League Title.
Up till now, Houllier's most successful year at Liverpool was in 2001, when Liverpool won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup. Two years later he also won the League Cup. After leaving Liverpool Houllier joined French Giants Lyon where he was very successful and won French League in his starting two season
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