New Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier impressed by club's ambitions
Gerard Houllier has revealed that the opportunity to become the new manager of English Premier League club Aston Villa was too good to pass up.
The 63-year-old former Liverpool manager has agreed a deal to take over as Villa Park boss following Martin O’Neill’s abrupt departure last month, but cannot be officially unveiled until talks regarding leaving his role as technical director with the French Football Federation have been completed. Though he will not be picking the team for Monday’s league visit to Stoke City, those discussions should prove to be little more than a formality.
At a press conference today, Houllier said that the ambition that the Villa board have of progressing and willing silverware was crucial in him deciding to return to football management with the Birmingham outfit.
He said that: “I take great pride in my appointment as Aston Villa manager. The ambition (showed by owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner) impressed me. For what they want to bring to the fans of the club and am delighted to now share that ambition with them and the fans. After Liverpool, after Lyon I had several offers and this Aston Villa offer came very late. It was a strong proposition and almost irresistible as it is a club with history, a record and a squad."
MacDonald rejects assistant offer
Since O’Neill departed five days before the league kicked-off, reserve team coach Kevin MacDonald has been in charge of the first-team. He guided the side to two wins out of three — a good start to the season from which Houllier hopes to push for silverware — but has rejected the chance to become Houllier’s assistant and will resume his previous role.
The Frenchman said that: “I am working on naming an assistant manager. Joint management doesn't work, but in some capacity as assistant manager (MacDonald) would have been helpful. He could also have maybe learnt the trade and, who knows, taken over from me. But I understand his decision, he's a nice bloke so I won't hurt him — I told him I'd like him to stay at the club."
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