Gerard Houllier

[jmurphyc]

Took Liverpool to the same level they were at, Evans had them top 4 every season he was in charge, it just didn't qualify you for the CL back then. Got unbelievably lucky in 2001, didn't deserve to win any of those finals, Birmingham had a stone wall pen not given in the League Cup, he played 2 goalkeepers in the FA Cup against Arsenal and his forwards got him out of jail in the UEFA. Was pretty poor when he did qualify for the CL and made a mess of it with France for US 94. Much as he'd still be better then a lot of names mentioned no thanks.

Whilst he couldn't take them up to the next level, he did move the club forward. They beat some very good teams en route to the UEFA Cup Final and he took them to their highest points total in a while (80 in 01/02), which would have won the league in most seasons in the 90s. You also say they were pretty poor in the CL; In the second season yes, but in their fist season back they qualified for the quarter finals (although the team was managed by Phil Thompson for most of the second group stage).
Whilst he wouldn't be my number one choice, he'd be a decent manager for us.

[livehead1]

Omg, what high expectations some people have. We have a second rate international side, have qualified for 1 out of the last 7 major finals and people are turning their noses up at managers of the calibre of Gerard Houllier. Who exactly do you think will want to manage us, people are living in a dream world. We ended up with Stan for a reason, because we are not an attractive prospect for most managers, we're even less of an attractive proposition now. I would bite Houllier's hand off if he was even remotely interested in the job (which I very much doubt he is), he has had experience of managing at the very top of the European game, has dealt with big name players (far bigger than any of the players in our squad) and has superb contacts throughout the game. Compare that with any of the other names linked with the job and he is a stand out candidate. People need to get real.

[Thebolg]

Omg, what high expectations some people have. We have a second rate international side, have qualified for 1 out of the last 7 major finals and people are turning their noses up at managers of the calibre of Gerard Houllier. Who exactly do you think will want to manage us, people are living in a dream world. We ended up with Stan for a reason, because we are not an attractive prospect for most managers, we're even less of an attractive proposition now. I would bite Houllier's hand off if he was even remotely interested in the job (which I very much doubt he is), he has had experience of managing at the very top of the European game, has dealt with big name players (far bigger than any of the players in our squad) and has superb contacts throughout the game. Compare that with any of the other names linked with the job and he is a stand out candidate. People need to get real.

totally agree.

[lionelhutz]

Whilst he couldn't take them up to the next level, he did move the club forward. They beat some very good teams en route to the UEFA Cup Final and he took them to their highest points total in a while (80 in 01/02), which would have won the league in most seasons in the 90s. You also say they were pretty poor in the CL; In the second season yes, but in their fist season back they qualified for the quarter finals (although the team was managed by Phil Thompson for most of the second group stage).
Whilst he wouldn't be my number one choice, he'd be a decent manager for us.

That makes loads of sense............

[Henrik]

Well said

Im sure if Mourinho was linked with the job someone would come on here and say something negative.

Houllier is a different league to our recent managers and some of ones being touted for the job this time. People need to get real

[jmurphyc]

That makes loads of sense............

Sorry what I meant was that he moved the club forward, but he couldn't complete the final step (ie. win the league). IMO there's no doubting that Liverpool improved immensely under Houllier.

[mypost]

Omg, what high expectations some people have. We ended up with Stan for a reason, because we are not an attractive prospect for most managers, we're even less of an attractive proposition now.

High expectations?? Wtf??

All we ask, is that the team is competitive. Losing 0-4 at home to Holland, 2-5 in Cyprus, and being kicked out of the tournament with 3 games to go, is not competitive. We ended up with him, because the clueless buffoons didn't bother to look for a boss, nor were prepared to pay a decent salary either. They employed a cone-carrying drinking buddy on the cheap instead.

Can we please stop all this nonsense talk about Houllier. He's a coward who takes no responsibilty for the teams performance when it goes wrong and says it was all his doing when theyre successful. He set Liverpool back years by adopting the most negative tactics possible and he actually tried to claim the Champs League success in 05 was down to him - what a waster.

Ya he managed internationally - couldn't get an unbelievably talented French side to the 94 world cup and blamed it all on Ginola - what a record.

He's an absolute bottler under pressure - they only needed 1 point from their last 2 games to qualify in 94 and there were numerous times when lpool were on the verge of a great victory that he somehow managed to turn things around to the oppositions favour

Not to mention the fact that he is shyte with the media, even going as far as walking out of press conferences. He won't be remembered for winning the treble, he'll be remembered as the boss who led LFC to the longest run without a win in the club's history, who spent vast sums of money on wasters, converted a 7-point PL lead into a UEFA Cup place in 2003, and had to wait 12 months after getting the sack at Liverpool, before Lyon let him take over from Paul Le Guen. French Championship winner at Lyon, Le Guen got the sack in his next job, i.e. winning the league at Lyon can be done by anyone, even Staunton himself.

[reder]

I think GH would be an excellent catch for the job. He has massive experience in management in the uk and europe at all levels and moreover he is a prime candidate to take irish football as a whole and re-structure it from the bottom up.

[CollegeTillIDie]

Houllier was over all more successful than unsuccessful at Liverpool. His record with France worries me. They went into the 1994 World Cup Qualification tournament's final two games needing only a point to qualify and they lost both games WHICH WERE AT HOME!

[Torn-Ado]

He's a long ball man, is he not?

Get him in. Pronto.

[eirebhoy]

I remember hearing a stat from a commentator soon after Benitez took over at Liverpool. Liverpool had never won a match under Houllier after going in at half time losing. I'm not sure if that's just league games but they they did it under Benitez 2 or 3 times in his first few months.

[peterc1992]

Houllier had many similar problems as O'Leary.

Known to be argumentative - forced Ince and Fowler out.

Spent huge amounts of money on frankly s*it players eg Litmanen, Diao, Meijer, Traore and the list goes on.

Couldn't take Liverpool to the next step just like O'Leary with Leeds.

If brings in Phil Thompson I'm topping myself.

He didnt spend that much money on them players,and thats against the point,at international he doesnt hav to go near the transfer market and i dont think he taht bad of a job at liverpool!u say he could take them to the next level but sure he won 5 honours in one season and the season after he brought liverpool ot the the quarter finals of the champions league and came second!he went on a bad run and he was booted out!

[livehead1]

High expectations?? Wtf??

All we ask, is that the team is competitive. Losing 0-4 at home to Holland, 2-5 in Cyprus, and being kicked out of the tournament with 3 games to go, is not competitive. We ended up with him, because the clueless buffoons didn't bother to look for a boss, nor were prepared to pay a decent salary either. They employed a cone-carrying drinking buddy on the cheap instead.



Not to mention the fact that he is shyte with the media, even going as far as walking out of press conferences. He won't be remembered for winning the treble, he'll be remembered as the boss who led LFC to the longest run without a win in the club's history, who spent vast sums of money on wasters, converted a 7-point PL lead into a UEFA Cup place in 2003, and had to wait 12 months after getting the sack at Liverpool, before Lyon let him take over from Paul Le Guen. French Championship winner at Lyon, Le Guen got the sack in his next job, i.e. winning the league at Lyon can be done by anyone, even Staunton himself.

Who would you suggest then, O wise one. He's the best by some considerable distance.

[livehead1]

High expectations?? Wtf??

All we ask, is that the team is competitive. Losing 0-4 at home to Holland, 2-5 in Cyprus, and being kicked out of the tournament with 3 games to go, is not competitive. We ended up with him, because the clueless buffoons didn't bother to look for a boss, nor were prepared to pay a decent salary either. They employed a cone-carrying drinking buddy on the cheap instead.

Obviously you are confused, when i say high expectations I am responding to those who are criticising Houllier and commenting that they do not want him in charge when he is clearly the best 'candidate'.

[John83]

Please God No!

Can we please stop all this nonsense talk about Houllier. He's a coward who takes no responsibilty for the teams performance when it goes wrong and says it was all his doing when theyre successful. He set Liverpool back years by adopting the most negative tactics possible and he actually tried to claim the Champs League success in 05 was down to him - what a waster.

Ya he managed internationally - couldn't get an unbelievably talented French side to the 94 world cup and blamed it all on Ginola - what a record.

He's an absolute bottler under pressure - they only needed 1 point from their last 2 games to qualify in 94 and there were numerous times when lpool were on the verge of a great victory that he somehow managed to turn things around to the oppositions favour

That pretty much sums up my opinion of him too, though I think maybe we're being a little harsh. Certainly not the worst candidate mentioned so far, but I'd be a bit wary if he was appointed.

[Dublin12]

He must be the best out of work managers around at the moment, and I don't think we can get anyone that has more experience, we should jump at the chance to get him on board. I'd also like to see Paul McGrath on board in some capacity along with him, maybe as defensive coach, he was one of the best around and he's one of ours!!.

[livehead1]

I'd also like to see Paul McGrath on board in some capacity along with him, maybe as defensive coach, he was one of the best around and he's one of ours!!.

Christ, you must have been involved in selecting the last manager.

Paul McGrath has no experience coaching at all. He is also unable to display his feelings and opinions in a clear manner this is well known. Why would you want someone with no experience of coaching, to be involved in coaching the national side? Just cos they're Irish??

[billybunter]

its a win / win as far as im concerned. Its funny how 2 weeks ago everyone was saying that they would take "anyone "as ireland manager after stan, now Gerard Houllier is not qualified enough in some people's eyes!! no matter who we end up with 30% of people will disagree. Not one manager checks all the boxes - but Houllier would be fine with me.

[jmurphyc]

Yeah to be honest a few weeks ago I was thinking we weren't going to be able to get a decent manager in, but looking at some of the contenders for the job I really think that if the "selection team"/FAI go about their job in the right way then the future could be very promising. Saying that though I'm probably asking for a bit too much.

[pineapple stu]

His only mistake at Liverpool was that he bought some bad players.
He won't be buying any players with Ireland.
Took Liverpool out of the dark and back on the road to better things.
Would be a great choice

Disagree he took Liverpool out of the dark. Souness took them down, and Evans brought them back, actually launching serious title challenges, which Houllier never managed to do. Always thought he was a very lucky manager, especially when they won the three Cups - they were steeped that year, with numerous spectacular refereeing decisions helping them. His tactics were rather negative, dour and heavily criticised at the end and, as you noted, his record in the transfer market was awful (although as you also noted, that wouldn't count for the international game).

He won two titles at Lyon, although he had such a strong base there already (four straight titles).

He wouldn't be the worst manager, and he'd be a hell of a lot better than Stan, but he's very over-rated.

Edit - missed the entire second page. What odds the FAI are leaking these names to take the focus off the Stan blunder?!