aston villa show Grd Houllier the door but he does not go willingly
Gérard Houllier’s long-anticipated departure from Aston Villa was finally confirmed on Wednesday night, with the club claiming uncertainty over his health as the reason for his exit.
The long goodbye: Grd Houllier has been shown the door at Villa Park because of uncertainty over his health Photo: PA
By Sandy Macaskill and Jeremy Wilson
11:37PM BST 01 Jun 2011
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The Frenchman’s farewell had a sting in its tail, when he pointedly said that he was “disappointed” not to have been allowed to continue next season.
Villa described his exit in an official statement as “by mutual consent” and “amicable”, recalling how Houllier’s heart problems and subsequent spell in hospital in April meant he missed the final five games of the season. “Doctors have advised that he will require further time to recuperate,” the club said.
But the 63 year-old, who stepped into the breach last September in the wake of Martin O’Neill’s resignation five days before the start of the season, countered that he had recovered “considerably” and had already begun preparing for pre-season. It is clear that he did not go of his own accord, and he added that he is considering returning to football.
“I am extremely disappointed that I will not have the opportunity to manage Aston Villa next season. My health has improved considerably since I was taken ill on April 20. I now intend to take the next few months to concentrate on recuperating fully before I may return to football.”
Now that Houllier’s exit has been rubber-stamped Villa have confirmed that the search has begun for a new manager, with Mark Hughes pinpointed as their main target. Fulham, however, remain determined to keep him at Craven Cottage and are yet to give him permission to speak with Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner.
Hughes signed a one-year contract at the end of last summer with the option for another 12 months, but could now trigger a break clause that would allow him to leave without compensation before the start of next season. He appears to have a straight choice between the clubs.
While Villa have a larger fan-base and a more successful history, Fulham have proved themselves to be an upwardly mobile club with two finishes in the top 10 of the Premier League and a place in the final of the Europa League over the past three seasons.
The chance to manage in the Europa League next season with Fulham is potentially also an attraction. Hughes, though, wants to be sure that Fulham can match his ambitions before committing his future and it is understood that he has been frustrated at the delay in talks with his board. He is understood to be considering his future at the club even if the opportunity to move to Villa comes to nothing.
Should they prove unsuccessful in poaching Hughes, Villa will turn to former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez. Faulkner, Randy Lerner’s right-hand man at the club, was giving nothing away, however.
“As a board we are very conscious of the need to ensure that the club is prepared to meet the demands of the new season and, to that end, we have already embarked upon the process which will lead to the appointment of a new manager,” he said. “I would like to thank Gérard for his efforts over the past nine months.”
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