Houllier factfile

We look at the career of Gerard Houllier after the Frenchman stepped down as Aston Villa boss.

Skysports.com looks back at the career of Gerard Houllier after it was confirmed that the Frenchman has stepped down as Aston Villa manager. 1947: Born September 3, Lille. Never plays football professionally but works as an English teacher while playing for, and then coaching, local amateur side Le Touquet in the 1970s. 1982: Becomes manager of Lens, guiding them into European competition. 1985: Takes over at Paris St Germain, who he leads to the French title in 1986. 1988: Leaves PSG to take a coaching position in the French national set-up. Becomes assistant to Michel Platini. 1990: Becomes technical director with French Football Federation and guides Under-18 side to victory in European Championship. 1992: Succeeds Platini as national coach. 1994: Resigns after France fail to qualify for the 1994 World Cup finals. Remains in technical director role while also working alongside new coach Aime Jacquet. 1998: July - Appointed joint team manager of Liverpool with Roy Evans. November - Confirmed as sole manager of Liverpool, with Evans leaving by mutual agreement. 2001: February - Liverpool beat Birmingham on penalties to win the Worthington Cup. May - Liverpool win the FA Cup, coming from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1. The Reds complete a cup Treble by winning the Uefa Cup, beating Alaves 5-4 in extra-time. October 13th - Houllier taken to hospital, where he has open heart surgery after suffering from chest pains during the home match against Leeds. He is discharged on 1st November. 2003: Liverpool win the League Cup by beating Manchester United in the final, but finish fifth in the league. 2004: March - Days after graffiti is daubed on the walls of Liverpool's training ground demanding Houllier's resignation, the Frenchman reveals he received a death threat prior to a match against Portsmouth match. May 24th - Liverpool announce they have parted company with Houllier after finishing fourth, 30 points behind champions Arsenal. 2005: May 29th - Appointed manager of Lyon on a two-year contract. 2006: Guides Lyon to title in his first season. 2007: Lyon win second successive championship. May 25th - Steps down as Lyon manager. September 14th - Named technical director by the France Football Federation (FFF). 2008: January 14th - FFF confirm they would be prepared to release him from his contract to take charge of Newcastle, but speculation comes to nothing. 2010: September 8th - Named Aston Villa manager, although a delay in ending his contract with the FFF means he cannot immediately take charge. September 22nd - Takes charge of his first game, a 3-1 win over Blackburn in the Carling Cup, although he had not yet signed a contract. September 24th - Signs a three-year contract with Villa. December 10th - Houllier reveals he has held talks with Randy Lerner over the team's poor form, but insists he retains the owner's full support. 2011: April 21st - Admitted to hospital with chest pains. Misses the rest of the season, with assistant Gary McAllister leading the side for the final five games. June 1st - Steps down as Aston Villa manager.