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I look back and see Gerard Houllier’s arrival at Liverpool as similar to Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. He was a very forward-thinking manager. He modernized the club.
He made young people understand what it takes to get to the top, teaching them how to get the best out of their bodies. Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and many more benefited from being under his protection.
One of Gerard’s favorite sayings for us was: “Drinking alcohol is as silly as putting diesel in a racing car.” If you put the wrong fuel in your body, it won’t work as well. That resonated with the players.
Young people were in awe of him and I especially liked the discipline he instilled. The rules about being on time, training hard, knowing when it’s time to work and when it’s time to have fun.
Gerard was a gentleman, someone you could sit with in his office and talk football, but he could also be strict. He had that streak in him. It was a regulated setup.
Long before Liverpool, Gerard used to be deputy manager in France, and it showed in the way he interacted with the younger players. I wanted to educate them. I wanted to take these wide-eyed talents and turn them into world scouts. To them he was like a father figure.
That is why we have seen such an emotional reaction to the news of his sad passing on Monday from those who were lucky enough to work with him.
Gerard was more than a coach to his players, and he was also a hero to the fans. He gave them many reasons to love him, especially in that 2000-01 season.
Gerard’s decision to sign Didi Hamann and Sami Hyypia in 1999 was a masterstroke. He knew how to put together a solid defense, how to be tough to beat, and how to win.
On a personal basis, Gerard was responsible for the best moment of my career at the club. It took place during preseason in 1999 when he called me into his hotel room.
Paul Ince had left the club and I had just turned 26. He said, ‘Now you are the captain of the club. What a moment! I could never thank you enough for placing that trust in me. We kept chatting but truth be told, I couldn’t wait to get out of that hotel room so I could call my family and tell them!
Unfortunately, just as I was getting used to my new role, knee injuries hit me. I couldn’t play a role on the field in 2000-01, Liverpool’s triplet season. But I watched Gerard behind the scenes, I studied what he was like with people and how he would bring out the best in the players. I kept it, in case I ever decided to become a manager.
I had a lot of respect for him. We all did. There was also a bit of fear, and sometimes you need that in a leader. He had his assistant, Patrice Bergues, by his side. Bergues was a super smart man and very nice too. Together they were a dream team.
Gerard and I had our ups and downs, but that’s the way it is with many players and coaches. That does not mean that you have ever lost respect for him. I held it in the highest possible regard.
What he did for Liverpool after arriving in 1998 was iconic. The loss of school education was clearly a gain from soccer. All we can do now is remember the great memories he gave us. I will never forget what he did for me. Thanks, teacher.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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