Football
Mark Rodden 8y

Gerard Houllier likely to return to Lyon as general manager - Aulas

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that Gerard Houllier is likely to return to the club as general manager.

Houllier, 68, was in charge of the French side for two seasons between 2005 and 2007, leading them to their sixth and seventh Ligue 1 titles in a row.

Aulas had wanted to appoint an experienced campaigner to help oversee the direction of both Lyon's men's and women's teams.

The move will only be completed, however, if Houllier gets the all clear from a heart specialist.

Houllier had heart surgery while manager of Liverpool in 2001 and he left his last coaching role at Aston Villa ten years later following another similar health scare.

"He's probably going to come back," Aulas told Lyon's TV channel on Monday in quotes reported by L'Equipe. "There remains just one important point.

"Gerard had health problems in the past. He's going to see our cardiologist on Thursday. He will be in a different position to that of manager.

"He's going to be the head of all the technical structures of the club, men and women, of recruitment and the men and women's academy. I'm very hopeful that it might be done."

Houllier previously served as technical director of the French Football Federation and more recently he has worked as international sporting director of Salzburg, RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls.

Aulas also announced that former players Cris and Gregory Coupet will be offered permanent coaching jobs at the club.

^ Back to Top ^