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PARIS: Former France soccer coach Gerard Houllier, who also managed Olympique Lyonnais, Paris St-Germain and Liverpool, passed away, local media reported on Monday (December 14).
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 hospital at halftime in 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, landing his first big job with Lens before taking over at Paris St-Germain.
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 United States.
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 at 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.
