Gerard Houllier set to be named Aston Villa manager
Aston Villa’s search for a permanent replacement for former manager Martin O’Neill has finally come to an end with the appointment of Gerard Houllier as the Villains new bench boss, BBC Sport reports.
Houllier will reportedly leave his post as the technical director of the much-maligned French Football Federation to take over as manager at Villa.
The 63-year-old has previously managed the French National team, FC Rens, and Paris St. Germain, and is best known as the former boss at Liverpool FC and Olympique Lyonnais.
Houllier’s managerial highlights include leading Liverpool to the UEFA Cup championship in 2001 and capturing two consecutive French Ligue 1 titles with Lyon.
O’Neill, in charge at Villa Park since 2006, shockingly left his managerial post on August 9, just five days before the start of the Barclay’s Premier League season.
O’Neill is reported to have been in disagreement with owner Randy Lermer over the lack of funds the then manager had at his disposal.
Following the absence of O’Neill, Kevin MacDonald held the position of caretaker first team manager and guided Villa through a tumultuous month of football.
Aston Villa opened the season brightly with a 3-0 defeat of West Ham, but followed with a humbling 1-1 draw to Rapid Vienna which saw the Villains ousted from the Europa League. The Villains next took a 6-0 trouncing from newly promoted Newcastle United before earning an impressive 1-0 victory over Everton.
Despite the results, MacDonald was reported to have been favoured by the players to take over the managerial role on a permanent basis.
Eager to bring stability to Villa, Lermer interviewed Houllier, MacDonald and former West Ham boss Alan Curbishley last week.
Houllier will have less than a week to implement his managerial vision at Villa Park as the Villains next fixture is a trip to Stoke on 13 September.
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