Gerard Houllier

[Noelys Guitar]

RTE sports referred to the FFF statement but it was a little different, to the effect of....
Hands off Houllier, he has a job with us, we are not letting him go.

Some feathers have been ruffled if that was an official statement. Could be just a response to all the journalists and desperate punters phoning them up.
"I put my mortgage on him let him go you +*?s"

How much is Houllier being payed at the FFF and how long is his contract? If this is the FFF playing hardball then how much money will the FAI have to stump up if Houllier is the preferred candidate?

[geysir]

I read that he is being paid €1.6m. don't know how long the contract is.

The FFF have a point, they need a good man in the job for a period not just a man who will use the job as a resting place until a proper football job comes along.

I'd imagine Houllier would have to be persuasive and a compromise compensation.

[eekers]

houllier's wife has some sort of illness at the moment and that is what actually holding up the process of his appointment, its the same reason he cant go to that conference in dundalk. its got nothing to do with money.

[Block G Raptor]

houllier's wife has some sort of illness at the moment and that is what actually holding up the process of his appointment, its the same reason he cant go to that conference in dundalk. its got nothing to do with money.

Oh christ is it going to Turn into FAI/Mrs Martin O'Neil death watch 2 ?

[eekers]

Oh christ is it going to Turn into FAI/Mrs Martin O'Neil death watch 2 ?

from what i've heard the decision will be in a week either way from Houllier

[Stuttgart88]

From what you've heard, is The Examiner correct, i.e., Houllier wants it but is facing obstruction from the FFF?

[Jerry The Saint]

Oh christ is it going to Turn into FAI/Mrs Martin O'Neil death watch 2 ?

That was one of the least tasteful moments in FAI history - what was the comment "He's currently unavailable but circumstances can change"?

[eekers]

From what you've heard, is The Examiner correct, i.e., Houllier wants it but is facing obstruction from the FFF?

its all down to his wife's situation, houllier wants it idealy but isnt sure whether its the right time to take this on. The fai can buy him out of his contract with the fff at any time.

[redgav]

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.

Finnan had a terrible relationship with Houllier.GH spent 12 months trying to change Finnans natural attacking side,forcing a not past the halfway line type of chain on him .It affected Finnans form so badly that when Benitez took over Liverpool ,He went and bought a Full Back (josemi) as a Temporary replacement for Finnan.Yes Houllier signed him ,but that was no great Scouting,sure the guy had been in the "premiership Team" the season before and With Babbels illness he needed top class cover .Finnan was definatly the best available but Houllier nearly destroyed his career by taking away a huge part of his game.Look at when Benitez first joined Liverpool,Finnan spent the first 3 months behind Josemi ,one of the worst full backs I've ever seen

As regards to his Retirement .I think it may be his club managers policy at the moment as a few players have retired recently and are all up for contract talks.

[jmurphyc]

As regards to his Retirement .I think it may be his club managers policy at the moment as a few players have retired recently and are all up for contract talks.

Finnan got a new 3 year contract last summer if I remember correctly.

[Deckydee]

Looks likes Houllier no more

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...074955,00.html

[Block G Raptor]

Have Sky got some agenda against Houllier getting the job, thats the second spurious "Exclusive" they've come out of nowhere with this week, no other media outlet is picking up on these "stories" so I don't give them much credance

[Stuttgart88]

Surely the FFF are powerless to stop him leaving? He may have a contract but surely employment law allows him to leave?

The FFF source says the speculation is rubbish. How can that be the case if he has interviewed for the job?

Sounds like the usual "X is our player and will remain so" and then a day later is sold for a nice price.

I've no doubt that the FAI want him but are now struggling to close the deal.

[Wolfie]

Surely the FFF are powerless to stop him leaving? He may have a contract but surely employment law allows him to leave?

That's what occurred to me. If the will is there on both sides (Houllier really wants the job and FAI are willing to buy out the contract) - surely he can walk away from the FFF?

[eekers]

someone in the fff is trying to make some money on betfair

[Deckydee]

I am just praying very hard

[zenokelly]

Have Sky got some agenda against Houllier getting the job, thats the second spurious "Exclusive" they've come out of nowhere with this week, no other media outlet is picking up on these "stories" so I don't give them much credance

No other media outlet is as big/well known as sky, don't mind have a specialised news channel for only sport. I would presume that Sky have possibly 50 to 80 times more poeple covering sport than RTE, this realises many more sources, interviews etc.

[soccerc]

Have Sky got some agenda against Houllier getting the job, thats the second spurious "Exclusive" they've come out of nowhere with this week, no other media outlet is picking up on these "stories" so I don't give them much credance

No, Sky picked it up from todays Irish Star as did BBC. RTE radio had a similar report least evening.

Houllier for Ireland is not even on French media radar

[NeilMcD]

Do you think he will be offered the job Soccerc.

[soccerc]

Do you think he will be offered the job Soccerc.

I'd like to suggest he already has