[ad_1]
PARIS: Former France coach Gerard Houllier, who also coached Olympique Lyonnais, Paris St Germain and Liverpool, has died, local media reported on Monday.
The RMC sports and sports newspaper L’Equipe said he had died at 73 after heart surgery in Paris.
Houllier had a long history of heart problems, dating back to when he was rushed to the hospital at halftime of a Premier League match between Liverpool and Leeds United in 2001.
After a negligible career as a player in France’s lower leagues, Houllier began training in 1973, winning his first big job with Lens before taking over at PSG.
He became an assistant coach for France in 1988 and then a coach in 1992, but had a brief unsuccessful spell in office and resigned after failing to lead the team to the 1994 World Cup in the USA.
France has qualified for all world championships since then, lifting the trophy in 1998 and 2018.
Houllier focused on youth training in the immediate aftermath of the World Cup debacle, but rebuilt his reputation in Liverpool, where he won the FA Cup, the League Cup and the UEFA Cup in 2001.
He was also successful in France with Lyon, leading to back-to-back Ligue 1 titles.
He returned to management after taking a hiatus in 2010 with Aston Villa, but left the position the following year after more heart problems.
