Soccer:Aston Villa have confirmed Gerard Houllier as their new manager. Houllier, the former Liverpool boss, succeeds Martin O'Neill who quit last month just before the start of the new season.
Houllier met with French Football Federation president Fernand Duchaussoy to resign as his country’s technical director. He will return to England tomorrow when he will meet the Villa players for the first time and hold a press conference.
It has been common knowledge since early in the week that Houllier would succeed Martin O’Neill as manager barring any unforeseen hiccups. He has been searching for a new assistant manager since his former Anfield number two Phil Thompson opted to stay as a pundit with Sky Sports.
Gary McAllister and Dietmar Hamann — who both played under Houllier for the Reds — have been linked with the role. Houllier’s first match in charge will be Monday’s Premier League clash at Stoke.
Houllier, expected to be unveiled to the media at a press conference in the next 24 hours, admits he found it impossible to turn down the chance to return to the Premier League.
“I am very happy and proud to join this great and historic club,” the 63-year-old said. “It was a very difficult decision for me to leave the FFF. But I could not turn down the opportunity to manage a club whose approach, both on and off the pitch, I have long admired.
“Aston Villa is one of England’s biggest clubs and has an amazing set of fans. This is a tremendous challenge and one I am very much looking forward to taking on.”
Houllier becomes Villa’s 25th manager in their 126-year history — six years after his reign as Liverpool boss ended — and has a hard act to follow in O’Neill, who guided Villa to three consecutive top-six finishes in the Premier League.