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A host of players who served under Gerard Houllier in Liverpool have paid emotional tributes to their former coach after his passing.
Houllier spent six years in charge at Anfield and helped reestablish the club as a force on the European stage.
The Frenchman achieved the historic treble of the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup and a return to the Champions League in 2000-01.
After returning to managerial duties in 2001-02 following a life-saving heart operation, Houllier secured another League Cup crown in 2003 before leaving the club the following year.
Jamie carragher
“For me, he will be remembered as one of the biggest influences on my career and one of the main reasons why I played my entire career at Liverpool.
“He was adamant at first when I first walked in that I had to change the way I am, not just me. British players, the way we did things, it had to adapt to the times, the game was changing, it was getting faster. Some people did not listen, but others did.
“I am grateful to have listened to Gerard Houllier in those early years because without him I don’t think I would have played for Liverpool for so long and I wouldn’t have enjoyed my career as much. I really owe him everything.
“He was someone in football, and there are not many, I must say, with whom I always kept in touch, although we were not in daily contact as we were as a player and coach. I always kept in touch, I always loved bumping into him, seeing him in different games around the world. He was an absolute fan of soccer.
“The first foreign coach was such an important thing, the first time the club had moved away from the famous Boot Room that had dominated English football. Actually, he was the first and there were many eyes and scrutiny on him at the time.
“We went back to being what Liverpool should always be: a team that competes for trophies, wins trophies and has a legacy and a name in Europe. It was Gerard Houllier and that team at that time that put Liverpool back on the map of Europe. “
Steven Gerrard
“I would like to pay tribute to Gerard. It was a really difficult day for me and Gary McAllister. Obviously, Gerard played a huge role in both our careers and our lives, so the news was really hard to accept and a huge blow. I walked in on monday morning [to training] Really happy after our result of the weekend and then receiving that news was a huge blow.
“He was a special man, a caring man and a caring man, more than just a manager. Throughout your career, different people take care of you and shape you in your youth, Steve Heighway, Hughie McAuley, Dave Shannon, for example. They pass you to the first team staff, which was Gerard Houllier, Phil Thompson and Sammy Lee, who did an amazing job for me in terms of where I was at age and also as a player.
“Gerard was at the forefront of that in terms of becoming a better player, a better person and a better leader. So I have a lot to thank the man for and I’m having a really hard time accepting it right now. “
Gary McAllister
“Obviously he was my coach at Liverpool and I was his assistant coach at Villa, but beyond that, he became a good friend. A complete good man. He trusted me a lot to come to Liverpool at my age, so we had a good friendship and a good understanding.
“He was a very calm man, very studious too, everything was meticulous in his organization. With the group of players he assembled, he had a feeling that they could certainly pull it off. He brought faith to a group of players. That’s what you want from a leader and his manager. It was a pleasure going to Melwood every day working with the boy.
“He had that special bond with the fans. That may be due to the fact that I think he had spent some time working in Liverpool so he knew the people and the love that emanated from the stands and what it meant to the people on the red side of Liverpool. You could see it with the songs they sang. “
Dietmar hamann
“I am as surprised as everyone else because he was someone who influenced so many of us at all levels and he was a very caring man. He gave me the opportunity to join Liverpool, so I will be forever grateful to him. He became friends with many of us and that is why it is so devastating to hear this news.
“My love for this football club is partly and mainly due to Gerard Houllier. I came to Liverpool in 1999 with five or six other people. There was great English talent here, all young players, who were obviously very good, and I found a club that he ran as a family. Gerard made everyone a part of the family and treated everyone the same. He always reminded us that we must respect everyone the way we want to be treated and respected.
“I think it transformed the entire soccer club on a personal and soccer level and made people come back to appreciate what the club is about. Without Gerard Houllier we would not have won the European Cup in 2005. He brought Jerzy Dudek to the club, look at Sami Hyypia who was not known when he first arrived, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer came in and scored a goal and he also scored a penalty.
“I think Gerard left a legacy and brought the club and the fans closer together. He always saw himself as an honorary Scouser and would always classify Liverpool as his spiritual home. “
Jari litmanen
“Sad news. Gerard brought me to Liverpool and, in my opinion, he played an important role in changing many things at the club, for example bringing a more professional mindset to the dressing room and the players.”
Sander westerveld
“With Gerard, I had the best and the greatest success that I had in my entire career. I have to be grateful to him and for that I am, and just full of love for him.
“It was really nice and you can see it in the posts on social media. It’s not just ‘Rest in peace, boss’, everyone has written a story about him. That says enough. That is exactly the same for me too.
“It gave me all the confidence I needed. I was under a lot of pressure and he always gave me the feeling that I was the one for him. I am very grateful to be a part of history thanks to him. I think he should be remembered as one of the most successful coaches in the club’s history. “
Chris kirkland
“Very upsetting because he is such a special guy. He was a brilliant coach, but he was an amazing human being and we will miss him so much.
“He gave me my dream. I’ve always been a Liverpool fan and he signed me, so I’ll always owe him a lot. But just the way it was, it made you feel so special. He had the ability to tell if something was wrong and he could come up to you and put his arm around you, asking if there was anything he could do for you or your family. A special, special man.
You made my dream of @LFC come true, a truly warm special human being, I will never forget what you did for me and then ma… https://t.co/kGQO66ZjwX
– ChrisKirkland43 (Chris Kirkland)
Dec 14 12:33
“He was honest. That’s what happened to me with Gerard personally and with many of the other players, he was true to his word. What he said, you believed him. He was one of those people who when he speaks, you listen.
“His team talks, before games or at halftime, everyone was on the edge of his seat because every word he said left you paralyzed in it. The world was lucky to have him in football ”.
Djimi traore
“I had a father-son relationship with Gerard. It was tough on me, but at the end of the day, I wanted the best for myself. “
Sammy lee
“Gerard was a family man and was very close to his family. He loved his family and also considered Liverpool Football Club and Liverpool fans as part of his family.
“As a coach, he meant everything to me, to be perfectly frank. In fact, it transformed my training method. He transformed the club as everyone knows and there have been many great tributes for him.
“One thing Gerard was is that he was always very generous with his time and knowledge. He’s not disrespectful to anyone who was there before, but Gerard came in and radically reshaped the place. He brought it up to date, he knew the history of the club and he got a lot, a lot out of people. He got the city, he got what the fans were looking for and he understood them. “
Igor biscan
“A man who was always willing to help, a person with a lot of empathy. From my experience, I could say that even in bad times, you struggle to have a person so they understand you and try to help you. It means a lot.
“This is how I will remember him: a really nice person. First of all, that is one of the greatest characteristics of any person. For that reason, it will have a special place in my heart. “
Gregory Vignal
“He was very close to Gerard. I said, ‘Boss, I want to learn the job. Could you help me? ‘ Since I stopped playing, I was with him on the phone every week. I was so close to him. I said, ‘Boss, I need you because I want to be a good coach, I want to try to be a really good coach, like you.’ This is very, very sad news.
“Gerard lived and worked 24 hours a day for Liverpool, it’s incredible. Because he has this vision, when he said something to the players, everyone was ready to hear what he was saying. Sometimes when you’re a manager it depends on how you speak and you have to use the right words at the right time to make an impact. I think Gerard was so smart and so good.
“It will take a long time to talk about Gerard but I would say that he is a great man, a great desire, a hard worker and a charming man, a family man. People also need to know that Gerard was very close to family. Sometimes you can get a phone call from the boss and it’s eight, nine, ten at night and it’s, ‘Gregory, how is the family?’ When I had my first children in Liverpool, he was the first to speak on the phone. Gerard was like this: 24 hours a day for you, he was ready. I think he has been a great Liverpool manager, winning six trophies. “
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