Liverpool fans have paid their condolences to the family of former Reds, Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier, who passed away last night at the age of 73.
News of the Frenchman’s death was confirmed by French media outlet RMC Sport, with reports in France from L’Equipe suggesting Houllier died following complications connected to aortic surgery, which he had undergone in the past few days.
The French manager has been hailed as one of the revolutionary figures of the modern Reds era. He led Liverpool to six titles in less than six years at Anfield, between 1998 and 2004.
In 2001, his side won the FA Cup, the League Cup, the UEFA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the 2001 Community Shield. He also helped the side win the 2003 League Cup.
Tributes to Gerard Houllier
Liverpool fans from around the world paid tribute to the former Liverpool manager on Twitter:
Houllier’s managerial career
Following his spell at Liverpool, Houllier went on to manage the likes of Lyon, where he won successive league titles and back-to-back Trophee des Champions titles, before arriving at Aston Villa in 2010.
He led the Midlands side to ninth in the table – they haven’t finished that high since his departure.
Pre-Anfield managerial career
Houllier played for amateur side Alsop before taking to full-time football management at the age of 26.
He took charge of Le Touquet, native to his Pas-de-Calais region, as player-manager. Houllier spent nine years in the lower tiers of France, including at Noeux-les-Mines.
At the side, he oversaw the club to successive promotions into the second tier before he was appointed manager of Lens.
There he went on to deliver promotion to Ligue 1 and UEFA Cup qualification.
He then managed Paris St-Germain and helped the side win their first Ligue 1 title in 1986.
Houllier also enjoyed stints with the French national team, initially as assistant to the legendary Michel Platini in 1998. He acheived the manager’s position four years later.
However, his spell lasted only one year. He resigned after 12 competitive matches during which time Les Bleus fail to qualify for the 1994 World Cup.
- Cascarino claims Everton star impressed him more than Werner and Havertz on Saturday
- Peter Crouch makes bold claim about Declan Rice and lauds 3 more West Ham stars
- Jenas claims Tottenham needed player Mourinho left out of the squad vs Palace yesterday
- ‘I’ve got a feeling’: BBC pundit thinks Arsenal ace controls the dressing room… and it’s not Aubameyang
- 23-year-old reported Spurs target scores absolute screamer, now has 9 goals this season