[ad_1]
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has paid an emotional tribute to former Anfield manager Gerard Houllier.
The former Liverpool and Aston Villa manager, who won five trophies with Gerrard at the Anfield club, died Monday at age 73.
Rangers boss Gerrard said: ‘I’d like to pay tribute to him. Yesterday [Monday] It was a really tough day for me and (Rangers assistant chief) Gary McAllister.
“Obviously Gerard played a huge role in both our careers and our lives.
So yesterday’s news was very difficult to accept. It is a great blow.
“I arrived yesterday morning very happy after our result of the weekend and then receiving that news was a heavy blow.
‘He was a special man, a loving man, a loving man. He was more than just a manager. ‘
Gerrard added: ‘Throughout your career, different people take care of you and shape you.
In their youth, Steve Heighway, Hugh McAuley and Dave Shannon, for example. Then they pass you on to the first team staff, which was Gerard Houllier, Phil Thompson and Sammy Lee, who did an incredible job in terms of where I was at my age and as a player.
“Gerard was at the forefront of that in terms of becoming a better player, a better person, a better leader.
“So I have a lot to thank the man for and I’m having a really hard time accepting him right now.”
The Ibrox boss added: ‘I always try to get the best out of all the coaches and managers I worked with. It is impossible for me to add the charisma, affection and love that Gerard had.
I think all the players who have worked with him will echo that. He was just a special human being.
“This is not a guy who would focus solely on football and what you gave him in terms of the player-manager relationship.
‘This was someone who, at my age, wanted to become an elite professional as a human being, who wanted me to be a better person, who wanted me to really understand the tactics and the game in a different way and become an even better player and build all the other things around the talent you had at that age. I will never forget that.
‘I need to send my condolences to his family, who I know will be suffering right now. It is a sad day, sad for football and for me personally. It will take me a little time to get over this. ‘
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
[ad_2]
