RIP Gerard Houllier
Today we learned of the sad news that Liverpool legend and true gentleman of the game, Gerard Houllier has died aged 73. A man who touched many lives, both fans and players alike and someone who will be greatly missed, so I wanted to take this opportunity to remember what he did for our club.
Houllier began his time with us in a failed experiment as joint manager with Roy Evans in 1998 before taking sole charge of the club later that year. It was the era of the ‘Spice Boys’, a time of parties, white suits and frankly, underachievement. Houllier changed all that. He completely changed the culture of the club, lifestyle of the players and modernised the club behind the scenes in terms of nutrition and sport science.
His efforts paid dividends in the 2000-01 season as we won a historic treble in the form of both domestic cups and the UEFA cup. We would also collect the Charity Shield and UEFA Super Cup in 2001 and a third place finish meant Champions League qualification for the first time in its modern format and the first time back at Europe’s top table since the Heysel disaster in 1985. Just think that through. Massive moment for the club.
A huge sense of optimism then, going into 2001-02. In October 2001 however, tragedy struck. After falling ill at halftime during a home game against Leeds, Houllier was rushed to hospital having suffered a massive heart attack. He would be absent from the dugout for five months, with assistant manager and Anfield legend Phil Thompson taking the reigns in his absence. The club finished 2nd that year, our highest finish of the Premier League era at the time and you can’t help but wonder what might have been had the manager been in the dugout all season. Houllier returned but now seriously hampered with his heart condition, he was never the same again.
Poor recruitment the following summer and the baffling decision to sign Diouf over Anelka spelled the beginning of the going into the 2002-03 season, although that was the season he named a certain Steven Gerrard club captain. We failed to qualify for the Champions League that season and although we did qualify in 2004, the lack of a significant title challenge despite significant investment, combined with Houllier’s ongoing health issues, led the club’s board to request he stand down as manager, to which he reluctantly agreed. Rafa Benitez replaced him and the rest is history but it’s worth remembering there would have been no Istanbul moment had Houllier not got us there in the first place.
A tragic end to a reign that began with such promise but make no mistake, Gerard Houllier is one of the most important managers in LFC history. He maybe didn’t win the glamour trophies others have but he dragged the club into the 21st century, shaped arguably our greatest ever player and delivered one of the most memorable seasons we’ve ever had. A great man and a true gentleman, he will be sorely missed.
Rest in peace Gerard, thanks for the memories. You’ll never walk alone.
Recent Comments