Gerard Houllier

[eekers]

today's dion fanning interview reeks of shiit.

he says houllier hasnt been interviewed - the tribune however say he has.
he discourages the appointment of houllier on a monetary basic at a time when the fai have money to burn
he uses the players to slag off the length of the process (oh boohoo the poor multi millionaire players havent a manager yet - they should be patient and wait like everyone else - they should have no say in the process)
we all know fanning is a liverpool supporter first and ireland supporter second. he has a huge chip on his shoulder about houllier from his time at liverpool and it comes through in every article he writes about him.

[Kingdom]

today's dion fanning interview reeks of shiit.

we all know fanning is a liverpool supporter first and ireland supporter second. he has a huge chip on his shoulder about houllier from his time at liverpool and it comes through in every article he writes about him.

I would debate this point strongly if I knew how to debate or how to keep calm. I would argue he knows very little about football, and that he has very few contacts within the game. Indeed his biggest contact is a source.

[Newryrep]

Even with upping the salary from €400,000 to a 7 figure sum we are still not attracting a list of quality interested candidates so maybe Dunphy had a point about needing pay the most for the best.
Maybe I am just too mean but with 6 to 8 games a year its ridiculous overkill to be offering to pay a manager a ratio of €400,000 to €500,000 per game.
Bribing the ref might be a better investment.

Maybe it is the case that proven international managers dont think they would be considered because they are not a recognised name in British/Irish media. If its true that Bilic is on only £80K a year how could you not be interested if somebody is will to increase that more than tenfold. We are not even looking for him to win it just to make us competative in qualifying. Was Bilic, Van Gaal, Trappatoni etc even approached even informally ? I doubt it and that is the most frustrating part. We could be witnessing a car crash in slow motion and our powerless to do anything

[SuperDave]

according to sky sports news, houllier has ruled himself out today. just on 5 mins ago.

[FarBeag]

Skysports breaking news has it that he does not want the job. Looks like it belongs to good auld Terry.

[LeviathanNI]

Yip according to SSN he is not interested in the ROI position, and will be staying in his role at the FFF..

[shakermaker1982]

El Tel it is then :( it better be a performance related contract.

[Stuttgart88]

Yep, just saw that.

Funny thing is, I hope Venables IS interested now.

I was so excited when I turned it on, I thought they were announcing GH's appointment.

[geysir]

If Venables decides again that it isn't for him then we always have Johnny and Liam.

[eekers]

Houllier apparently rejected the Ireland job once he heard dion fanning didn't support his candidacy :p
Time to phone Martin Jol i think.

[Stuttgart88]

we all know fanning is a liverpool supporter first and ireland supporter second. he has a huge chip on his shoulder about houllier from his time at liverpool and it comes through in every article he writes about him.

True, there hasn't been an ounce of objectivity in anything he has written on the topic. Even if GH wasn't his preferred candidate to utterly dismiss him to manage us, yes us, defies belief.

GH was my preferred candidate but even I had some reservations. EG correctly pointed out his handling of the Bulgaria defeat as one of a few entries in the debit column, but as far as I'm concerned a real football thinker, not a dressing room cheerleader, is the guy who'll make a difference.

Who to pick from and how to accomodate players like Ireland, McGeady, Duff, both Reids, Hunt, Miller, Robbie, Doyle, Clinton, J. O'Brien and others (including a few experienced Championship players) is a conundrum that was beyond the last guy. In fact I'm not sure he even realised it was a question that needed an answer.

I'd trust GH's ability to solve the problem. If TV does get the job I hope that the claims that he's a real football thinker are true.

[eekers]

If TV does get the job I hope that the claims that he's a real football thinker are true.

well he did rob that dancefloor out of tottenham that time, i wonder did he use a transit van?

[Paulh]

well he did rob that dancefloor out of tottenham that time, i wonder did he use a transit van?


If we are getting Del Boy, I just hope the FAI have an audit of their fixtures and fittings before he arrives :eek:

[Bondvillain]

I'd take my home address off the FAI mailing list too, cos if he gets the job, he's gonna know which Wednesdays and Saturdays that you'll be out...

[geysir]

Regardless of the source of the info in Sunday Indo about Houllier's contract with the FFA, the facts are not disputed. His current salary, for one of the cushiest jobs in world football, is €1.6m p/a and the FFA would likely demand substantial compensation.

[Drumcondra 69er]

today's dion fanning interview reeks of shiit.

he says houllier hasnt been interviewed - the tribune however say he has.
he discourages the appointment of houllier on a monetary basic at a time when the fai have money to burn
he uses the players to slag off the length of the process (oh boohoo the poor multi millionaire players havent a manager yet - they should be patient and wait like everyone else - they should have no say in the process)
we all know fanning is a liverpool supporter first and ireland supporter second. he has a huge chip on his shoulder about houllier from his time at liverpool and it comes through in every article he writes about him.

Fanning's been a cheerleader for Venables since day one, it's no surprise the angle he's taken.

McDonnell's claimimg Houllier's position isn't as clear cut as reported in the Indo today, looks to me like the article was written before that report on SSN last night and has been doctored since...



IT'S the race that looks like it will never come to an end and it now seems certain that tomorrow's FAI board of management meeting will mark another delay rather than herald D-Day in the hunt for a new Ireland manager.


Kingmakers Don Givens, Ray Houghton and Don Howe were set to make their recommendation to the 10-man board but instead will give a progress report which states that they have yet to finalise their chosen man.

While Gerard Houllier is the preferred choice if he commits to the role and terms are agreed, Terry Venables is the back-up, with Howe understood to be the most supportive of the Frenchman on the three-man panel.

However, reports in the UK late last night suggested that Houllier was not interested in the position although there continues to be mixed messages about his intentions.

Confused

The overall situation is confused by the fact that other candidates have been promised interviews that still have not taken place and the impasse could even allow Sam Allardyce have time for a chat with the trio as he returns from the holiday which followed his sacking at Newcastle.

What is inevitable is that Givens will on Thursday name the squad for the February 6 friendly in Brazil and barring a dramatic change in circumstances he will be nestled in the Croke Park dugout for that encounter.

It is possible that the replacement for Steve Staunton could be appointed before that date but not in time to have a prominent role in selection.

Reports last week that Venables was on the verge of being appointed were premature because Houllier's status remains the key to the whole situation.

He has spoken with the panel although not, it is believed, in the form of a proper interview and his contract with the French Football Federation [FFF] is higher than the basic salary on the table from the FAI.

Yet speaking in Sofia last week FAI CEO John Delaney hinted that they would be willing to increase the amount of cash on the table if their panel deemed a candidate worthy of it.

Delaney also said that the association would be willing to pay compensation which is important given that it will be required to release Houllier from his role as technical director.

While there are conflicting estimates of what that may involve, it will certainly represent another seven figure outlay on top of the €1.5m approx salary that the 60-year-old would command.

The ex-Liverpool manager has remained coy about his interest publicly but in the background he has been in contact with members of his backroom staff during his time with the Premiership giants to ascertain their interest -- including number two at that time Phil Thompson.

In an ironic twist, Houllier is set to be in Ireland next weekend anyway as a guest speaker at the "Watering the Grassroots Coaching Conference" that is being staged jointly by the FAI and the IFA.

That event starts on Friday with Houllier on stage to speak at 11.45 on Sunday morning. Now, though, the significance of his trip is likely to be far greater than anticipated when he was booked.

Givens has started his Pro Licence course in Malahide which means that he will be unable to formally, along with Howe and Houghton, speak with any more potential gaffers until Thursday.

Terms

They will be looking for an answer from Houllier and also from the FAI to see if his terms can be met or else Venables will be handed the position despite murmurs of discomfort from within the higher echelons of Irish football's governing body about the prospect of his appointment.

In the event of Houllier saying 'non' there was renewed betting support for Glenn Hoddle yesterday.

Regardless of that, the protracted nature of the process has angered many involved within the game including senior internationals such as Shay Given and Stephen Hunt who have registered their disappointment with the elongated time frame.

The hold up has implications for Ireland's international calendar with the FAI holding fire on organising a March friendly until a new boss offers their insight.

Time is running out before the association is forced to make a call.

- Daniel McDonnell

[macdermesser]

and he is the jolly again on betfair. looks like someone is in the know

[Stuttgart88]

What's happening on betfair?

[cheifo]

I am so glad Houllier didnt get the job.I accept I am going more on instinct than evidence but his teams play awful football and his rumoured awful man management skills for me hold water every time I have seen him be interviewed.His achievements with the underage set up in France are impressive but I just cannot see him inspiring our bunch.
TV despite his faults is imho a better bet.I dont think he is quite the caricature he is painted as being based on the fact that players seem to love playing for him and rate him as a coach.Again he would not be my ideal choice but he will be a huge huge improvement on what we are used to.
Be interesting to know who he would go for as assistant.

[Stuttgart88]

didn't he mention brian kidd in his interview? that's what i heard.

[Drumcondra 69er]

didn't he mention brian kidd in his interview? that's what i heard.

That's the rumour. Yesterday's man again, was a disaster at Leeds and is now Brian Robson's right hand man at the farce that Sheffield United have become, fabulous credentials....

[Stuttgart88]

Didn't know he was with Robson.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Didn't know he was with Robson.

Linked with the assistants job at Everton following Alan Irvine taking over at Preston. Mind you, that's on Wikipedia so could be horsesh1t....

[cheifo]

I would be disapointed if it was Kidd.Another rumoured to have terrible man management skills and has lunched off his time at Man U.Always remember Fergies less than flaterring portrayl off him in his Autobiog some years back.
I am still hopeful that whatever the outcome we will have a managemnt team which instills a much clearer focus and a good basic tactical acumen in the side.This will be ahuge improvement and give us grounds for some optimism,

[eirebhoy]

What's happening on betfair?
Still tens of thousands going on him. Currently 2/1 favourite.

[Stuttgart88]

Be interesting to know who he would go for as assistant.
Actually, chatsoccer says Townsend and David Kelly would be the support act.

[cheifo]

I could live with that.Heard Townsends name linked to TVs possible appointment as well.Just wish this thing would be wrapped up.

[NeilMcD]

Townsend said he was not going to be involved.

[Bondvillain]

One of the symptoms of "involvement with the FAI" disease is a complete aversion to telling the whole truth.

[Kingdom]

I could live with that.Heard Townsends name linked to TVs possible appointment as well.Just wish this thing would be wrapped up.

To be honest David Kelly would be a better man to have as coach/assistant

[Block G Raptor]

Has there been any official word on Houllier knocking us back? the article on Skysports is Vague to say the least. "sky sports understands that he's not interested" "A source say's....." Etc Etc

[geysir]

It would appear that the Betfair punters in their droves are not convinced by the Sky Sports News level of understanding.

We use to have a man on the inside there :)

[Stuttgart88]

Has there been any official word on Houllier knocking us back? the article on Skysports is Vague to say the least. "sky sports understands that he's not interested" "A source say's....." Etc EtcProbably planted by one of El Tel's mates to put pressure on the FAI.

[Stuttgart88]

We use to have a man on the inside there :)

Bring him back now

[geysir]

There is a US podcast interview with McLaren, Houllier and Dr.Joe Vengelos.
About a 1/4 through, Gerard is asked about the Ireland job,
he is clearly irritated and says something like ´yesterday it was Venables and today it is deschamps who knows tomorrow´ Interview terminated.
Houllier podcast (http://cdn.libsyn.com/epltalk/EPLTalk_episode99.mp3)

just a small correction, ´yesterday it was Deschamps, today it is me and tomorrow it will be Venables´

[Drumcondra 69er]

There is a US podcast interview with McLaren, Houllier and Dr.Joe Vengelos.
About a 1/4 through, Gerard is asked about the Ireland job,
he is clearly irritated and says something like ´yesterday it was Venables and today it is deschamps who knows tomorrow´ Interview terminated.
Houllier podcast (http://cdn.libsyn.com/epltalk/EPLTalk_episode99.mp3)

Sounds like he's getting a bit browned off with the process alright and who can blame him....

[geysir]

Just a warning not to listen to McLaren interview, more dangerous consequences that that Japanese horror film The Ring

[colster]

There is a US podcast interview with McLaren, Houllier and Dr.Joe Vengelos.
About a 1/4 through, Gerard is asked about the Ireland job,
he is clearly irritated and says something like ´yesterday it was Venables and today it is deschamps who knows tomorrow´ Interview terminated.
Houllier podcast (http://cdn.libsyn.com/epltalk/EPLTalk_episode99.mp3)

just a small correction, ´yesterday it was Deschamps, today it is me and tomorrow it will be Venables´

Interesting that he knew the names of who was involved. Maybe indicates that he is interested.

[tetsujin1979]

Interesting that he knew the names of who was involved. Maybe indicates that he is interested.
No great shock that he knows the names, everyone seems to know them at this point

[ShamrockIreland]

I just wish this circus was over. Even senior players like Shay Given were having a dig at the FAI over the weekend and players need stability and a new manager. What a long old process

[geysir]

While I am not going to break a habit of a lifetime and place a bet, that sentence by Houllier does indicate he has gone out of his way to be in the know. Why would he even know about the short lived speculation about Deschamps while in the US.
That interview was uploaded on Saturday.

[paul_oshea]

get it over and done with and just appoint venables.

[cheifo]

Anyway most important thing is that Don gets his coaching badge.That Houllier quote could be interpreted as "God only knows what the Paddies are up to."

[Fr. Joe]

get it over and done with and just appoint venables.

I'll second that.

[Bondvillain]

That Houllier quote could be interpreted as "God only knows what the Paddies are up to."

Amen to that.

[Bondvillain]

There is a US podcast interview with McLaren, Houllier and Dr.Joe Vengelos.
About a 1/4 through, Gerard is asked about the Ireland job,
he is clearly irritated and says something like ´yesterday it was Venables and today it is deschamps who knows tomorrow´ Interview terminated.
Houllier podcast (http://cdn.libsyn.com/epltalk/EPLTalk_episode99.mp3)

just a small correction, ´yesterday it was Deschamps, today it is me and tomorrow it will be Venables´

Practically word for word, along with one of the betfair watch posts, on the back page of the Star today.

[carloz]

Houllier still very much in the race

http://www.chatsoccer.eu/news/content/view/86/1/

[Deckydee]

Houllier set for Irish hot seat

http://www.examiner.ie/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=sport-qqqm=sport-qqqa=sport-qqqid=53304-qqqx=1.asp

[Block G Raptor]

Could Finnan's retirement be an Indicator that Houllier is getting the Job, have they a history of bad feeling from his liverpool day's?

[Stuttgart88]

According to Reder (I think it was he anyway) Finnan had a good relationship with Houllier and it was actually Houllier who signed him.

Did you see Finnan's interview in the Indo?

I'd take it at face value, body was getting tired and more injury prone and he was frustrated at being out of position etc.