English Premier League News: Gerard Houllier yet to sign a contract at Aston Villa
Gerard Houllier, the new Aston Villa manager, has not yet put pen to paper on a contract at
Villa Park. Even though terms were agreed with the Frenchman, Kevin MacDonald, the caretaker manager, has been managing the team in the league so far.
The former Liverpool manager has said that it is only a matter of time before he signs and that there is nothing to worry about. He said that due to some commitments with his former job at the French
Football Federation, he has not been able to complete the formalities required to sign the 3 year contract.
Gerard Houllier would be seen for the first time in action in the Carling Cup for Aston Villa against Blackburn Rovers. Houllier agreed terms and conditions with the club management more than 2 weeks ago.
The former Lyon manager was asked by the reporters if he had signed the contract and replied, "No, not yet but it is okay.”
"The word is more important than the rest. You mean physically? No, but don't be worried. This is not important - I think at
Liverpool, I didn't sign until November or December."
Houllier, who managed Liverpool for more than 6 years, said that he has no problems with Kevin MacDonald managing the team until he could take the job. He said that Kevin is a very capable man and
has been doing a great job with the team.
Following the departure of Martin O’Neil, the reserve team manager Kevin MacDonald was handed over the job. Kevin had been managing the team for the first 7 games of the season, and has gotten positive feedback from the upper
echelons of club management. MacDonald had also submitted an application for the manager’s job but Houllier was chosen instead.
Gerard Houllier had asked Kevin MacDonald be his assistant manager, but MacDonald declined the offer and decided to stay in charge of the reserve team.
Houllier said: "I understand why he didn't want to be there. Let's be honest, he was a bit disappointed because he was interviewed like the others.”
But I trusted him to be my number two and I trust him to be the reserve coach which, to me, is someone you work with all the time. He is part of my staff."
The Frenchman has said that he would like to take Villa to the next level. He added that the one thing that attracted him the most to the Villa job was the ambition of the club. Houllier, who won 3 French league titles with
Lyon, said that Aston Villa has the players to make it to the 4th spot and take part in the Champions League next season.
Houllier in his time at Liverpool won his first piece of silverware in the Carling Cup in 2001. The Reds then went on to win the UEFA Cup and the FA Cup in the same season to complete a historic
treble. It was Aston Villa on the receiving end that time when Liverpool won the final in
Cardiff.
The new manager believes that hunger for success is something that can keep a team going. He added that there is immense talent and potential in the Villa squad and all that is needed is for someone to guide them in the proper
direction. Reflecting back to his time at Liverpool he said that once the team tasted success they always wanted more and that is what he plans to do at
Villa Park.
Aston Villa have not won any piece of silverware in 14 years, and Houllier knows how much it would mean for the fans to finally have some trophies coming their way.
Houllier said, "Winning a trophy would be fantastic for the club and a huge reward for the fans. It will come.”
"Maybe what we need is to get out of this comfort zone and get results a bit more. The passion is there but the ambition to win things would do well at this club. The image is a nice club. We want to be a winning club, and
a nice winning club."
Houllier finally stated, "Winning that first trophy with
Liverpool was crucial. It took a lot of pressure off the team. It came as a relief. We had actually won something.”
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