Former Liverpool Manager Dies At 73

Former Liverpool and Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has died aged 73.

News Rain Nigeria gathered that Gerard Houllier, former Liverpool manager, has passed away at the age of 73.

The Frenchman, who spent six years at Anfield, has passed away just days after a heart operation.

The news was confirmed in France initially by both L’Equipe and RMC.

Former Liverpool Manager Dies At 73

Recall that Houllier spent six years at Anfield between 1998-2004, winning four major trophies including the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 2001.

After two years with Lyon, Houllier returned to the Premier League in 2010, replacing Martin O’Neill as manager of Aston Villa. He stepped down from his role at Villa Park in June the following year, shortly after falling ill with heart problems.

The Frenchman spent 38 years as a manager, also taking charge of the France national team, Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain, where he won Ligue 1 in 1986 – the first of PSG’s nine titles.

In a statement on Monday, Liverpool said: “Liverpool FC is mourning the passing of former manager Gerard Houllier, aged 73.

See tweet below;

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

Manchester United also posted their sympathy on Twitter and there were further messages from across football.

See tweet below;

Everyone at #MUFC joins the football world in expressing our sadness at the loss of Gerard Houllier.

We send our condolences to his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/lOUqkAJSDy

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 14, 2020

Also note that Houllier not only gave supporters some wonderful memories, he helped restore Liverpool’s status among Europe’s elite.

For a generation of fans, the fallow period in the 1990s now feels like a blip but when Liverpool qualified for the Champions League in 2001, it took the club back into Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since the Heysel disaster of 1985.

Houllier’s avuncular appearance masked a steely determination. His high standards of professionalism helped to pave the way for the greater successes that were to follow under Rafa Benitez, making improvements at Melwood, modernising behaviour and tactics.