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?!
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