Report: Gerard Houllier To Be Offered Aston Villa Manager's Job

Frenchman pondering offer of top job at Villa Park.

By Michael Landon

Gerard Houllier (AFP)
Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is set to be offered the managerial hot-seat at Aston Villa, according to sources at Sky Sports News.

Reports had suggested that Houllier would be offered a director of football post at Villa Park, but it is now believed Villa want the 63-year-old Frenchman to take over from current caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald, with the former France coach set to make a decision within the next 48 hours.

Houllier is currently a technical director for the French Football Federation and has been one of the favourites to take charge of the Villans since Martin O'Neill resigned as manager five days before the start of the season.

Houllier's last spell in England was in charge of Liverpool, where in 2001 he won a treble consisting of the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup. He was in attendance for Reds defender Jamie Carragher's testimonial on Saturday, and when questioned on rumours linking him with the top job at Villa, he said: "Never and always are two words you can't use in football," according to Press Association Sport.

However, any appointment of Houllier as boss at Villa will reportedly be met by opposition from Brad Friedel and Stephen Warnock, who both endured a difficult time when the Frenchman was in charge at Anfield.

For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. ISOLA: Marquez is a grumpy veteran, and that needs to change ISOLA: Marquez is a grumpy veteran, and that needs to change

    The New York Red Bulls defender recently stated that he would like to play three or four more years, but does he have the right attitude to continue?

  2. RANKINGS: Donovan moves up to number two in the rankings RANKINGS: Donovan moves up to number two in the rankings

    Landon Donovan has done plenty in his time at Everton to jump over Brad Friedel to second on the list.

  3. ROGERS: Zambia wins a huge upset and a nod to a horrific 1993 crash ROGERS: Zambia wins a huge upset and a nod to a horrific 1993 crash

    Zambia upset Ivory Coast to win the Africa Cup of Nations title in the same city of its greatest sports tragedy.

  4. RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February

    The Swedish striker traditionally struggles in February. Facing a three-match ban this month, the jinx looks set to continue.

  5. DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream

    In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.

 
Advertisement
Advertisement