Former Liverpool, Aston Villa, and France manager Gerard Houllier has passed at the age of 73.
Gerard Houllier was a former player and manager who last coached in football back in 2011 for Aston Villa. He left the club after just nine months in charge due to heart problems.
The Frenchman had also coached the likes of Lens, Paris Saint-Germain, the French national team, Liverpool, and Lyon during his career.
He had also won a Legion d’honneur for his services to French football in 2002, an honorary OBE for his work in England, and the European Coach of the Year prize in 2001.
Houllier was best remembered for his six-year stint in charge of Liverpool between 1998 and 2004. He won four trophies, including a famous cup treble in the League Cup, FA Cup, and UEFA Cup back in the 2000/01 campaign.
We are mourning the passing of our treble-winning manager, Gerard Houllier.
The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Gerard’s family and many friends.
Rest in peace, Gerard Houllier 1947-2020. pic.twitter.com/isHGXIfe5E
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 14, 2020
After leaving Anfield, he then led Lyon to back-to-back Ligue 1 titles and signed up for the French Football Federation in 2007.
Villa, though, enticed Houllier back into coaching in September 2010 by handing him a three-year contract only for health problems to cut short his stay.
“Liverpool FC is mourning the passing of former manager Gerard Houllier, aged 73,” read a statement from Liverpool.
“The Frenchman was in charge of the Reds for six seasons, leading his team to an historic and unforgettable treble of League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 2000-01 and returning the club to the Champions League.
“Houllier – who recovered from life-saving heart surgery during the 2001-02 campaign to return to the dugout – later guided Liverpool to a second League Cup triumph of his tenure in 2003 and departed the following year having overseen 307 matches and successfully re-established the club as a modern force.
“Everybody at the club is deeply saddened by the loss of Gerard and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
The man who helped bring back the good times! #lfc #gerardhoullier 😢 pic.twitter.com/cqta9FiVZh
— John Doherty (@Scalper3) December 14, 2020
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about France
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
