REST IN PEACE, BOSS
Stars’ tributes as ex- Liverpool coach Houllier is dead aged 73
LEGENDS of Liverpool Football Club paid tribute last night to former manager Gerard Houllier who died just weeks after heart surgery.
The Frenchman, 73, was one of the game’s most popular managerial figures and idolised by players and supporters on Merseyside.
In 2001 he won the treble of FA Cup, UEFA Cup and League Cup for Liverpool. He also managed Aston Villa, Paris SaintGermain, Lyon and the French national team.
But he had longterm health issues and last month had aortic aneurysm surgery in Paris.
He was discharged from hospital on Sunday, texting a friend hours later: “I am struggling, but I am going to come out of this.”
Yesterday, news of his death shocked the football world and all who admired his integrity. Rangers boss Steven Gerrard wrote: “Devastated to hear the news my former manager Gerard Houllier has passed away. I will never forget what this man did for me and my career. Rest in peace Boss.”
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, who also played under Houllier at Anfield, tweeted: “Loved that man to bits, he changed me as a person & as a player & got LFC back winning trophies. RIP Boss.”
Ex- Liverpool striker Michael Owen added: “A great manager and a genuinely caring man.”
Liverpool FC paid tribute saying: “We are mourning… The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool FC are with Gerard’s family and many friends.”
Aston Villa said: “Our thoughts are with Gerard’s loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.” Houllier began coaching in 1973, his first big job with Lens before Paris Saint- Germain.
He became France manager in 1992 but resigned after failing to take the team to the 1994 World Cup.
At Liverpool from 1998, he oversaw a rebuilding of the first- team squad, winning the treble in 2000- 01.
In 2001 he was diagnosed with an aortic dissection which required 11 hours of emergency surgery.
He left Anfield in 2004. Later, his spell at Villa was also interrupted by health problems and he never returned to day- to- day coaching after leaving the club in 2011.
He said then: “The heart is fine, but the arteries are my weak point.”
He is survived by his wife Isabelle and their two sons.
‘ Loved that man to bits. He changed me as a person & player and got LFC winning trophies’ JAMIE CARRAGHER