Houllier freed by FFF

French coach all set to take Villa post

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 8th September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Houllier freed by FFF

Houllier: Returning to England

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The French Football Federation have revealed that Gerard Houllier has been given the green light to take the reins at Aston Villa.

FFF president Fernand Duchaussoy announced on Wednesday that the former Liverpool boss would be released from his duties as National Coaching Director.

Houllier had held that post since 2007, having opted to turn his focus away from club management.

Prior to that, the experienced coach had worked with various sides, including a six-year stint at Liverpool between 1998 and 2004.

He now looks set to complete a return to the Premier League, with Villa having identified him as their ideal candidate to succeed Martin O'Neill.

Talks between Houllier and the Villans have already been held and reports suggest there is a two-year contract waiting for him at Villa Park.

Adventure

It now appears to be only a matter of time before he pens that deal, with Duchaussoy having given his blessing for an agreement to be sealed.

He told RTL radio: "Yes it's true we're letting him (Houllier) leave for Aston Villa.

"He's been a friend of mine for a long time, and is someone I admire a lot. It was a personal choice on the part of Gerard Houllier."

Duchaussoy added that Houllier had told him that he felt the time was right to take his career in a different direction, having worked with the FFF for three years.

"He wanted to experience a new adventure in the field," he said.

"That's his main motivation. It's a unique opportunity for him to re-live the experiences of the past."

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