Houllier to leave Liverpool

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3741257.stm

Oh boy! This really made my day :handclap:

Houllier worked very hard and did his best for the club, there's no denying in that, but I'm very glad the board took the right decision. Mr. Houllier had 6 years to turn this team into a championship calibre team and failed. I think the club is in no better state than it was six years ago. I'm hoping for either Curbishley, O'Neill or Benitez (I'm really hoping for Benitez- but I'm afraid he won't be able to be persuaded to join us).

So the new gaffer will have to remove some of the dead wood but should have a decent foundation to build upon. And if the board would get some sense and allow the £50M investment by mr. Morgan, we could be going places as early as next season, but probably still two years away.


Thanks for the effort Mr. Houllier, butno thanks for the "football" your side brought.
But still: 1 UEFA Cup, 1 FA Cup and 2 Worthless Cups are something...

Ah, the days of defensive football might be over then! Care to take Jari Litmanen back, now? ;)

Good news for football!

On a side note..Viking Stavanger hired Roy Hodgson as their new coach yesterday after loosing 0-1 at home to newly promoted Ham-Kam in front of roughly 13 000 spectators at the new Viking Stadion....

On a side note..Viking Stavanger hired Roy Hodgson as their new coach yesterday after loosing 0-1 at home to newly promoted Ham-Kam in front of roughly 13 000 spectators at the new Viking Stadion....
Roy Hodgson? No drinking problems anymore?

I wonder what will happen with all those players bought by Houllier. A new coach has always new idea's. Hector Cuper is IMO one of the best coaches in soccer. He never plays very offensive either but it's not boring, he would fit.

Roy Hodgson? No drinking problems anymore?

Apparantly not. I`m sure he`s gonna start drinking again soon though. Viking is just horrible...

I wonder what will happen with all those players bought by Houllier. A new coach has always new idea's. Hector Cuper is IMO one of the best coaches in soccer. He never plays very offensive either but it's not boring, he would fit.

Actually..if i was in charge..Cuper would be my 1st choice! He`s an awesome coach..

Owen - Carew :drools:

Cuper is a great coach but he has often had problems with his star players in the teams he coached as he is a very disciplinarian type of manager. So I don't think it would really work with english football. Plus, would the Liverpool fans be happy to see an argentinian guy ruling their team?
Mourinho said two weeks ago that he would love to coach Liverpool, more than Chelsea.
O Neil could be another possibility. They were also talking about Dalglish last week.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/3742779.stm

Queiroz out and Camacho back in at Real Madrid.

Too bad, I think Houllier might have been a good fit in Madrid :D:D

So, i guess the midfield will look pretty different next year.

What's the news on Martin O'Neill? Is he finally going to leave Celtic? He'd be my choice to replace GH. We'd finally get something that Man U was looking at for once.

So, i guess the midfield will look pretty different next year.

What's the news on Martin O'Neill? Is he finally going to leave Celtic? He'd be my choice to replace GH. We'd finally get something that Man U was looking at for once.

Apparently O'Neill is not among the favorites as of now, read that somewhere on the BBC.

From what I'm reading it's supposed to be a two horse race between Rafa Benitez and Alan Curbishley.
Benitez is a great coach, an incredible tactician and organiser. Unfortunately I don't think his system is a good fit on Liverpool's current lineup.

He likes to play 4-4-1-1, with the two flanks and the attacking midfielder being very offensive minded once in posession of the ball.
But Owen doesn't fit in that system, it requires a strong striker up front. Kewell should be good on the left flank, if Diouf finds his groove he could make a good right flank player in that system (but he won't though). The two most important positions, the central midfielders (Baraja and Albelda at Valencia) should be filled appropriatly with Hamann and Gerrard. But I don't see anyone capable of taking the role of Aimar though at Liverpool, Le Tallec probably won't be ready yet for that...

He likes to play 4-4-1-1, with the two flanks and the attacking midfielder being very offensive minded once in posession of the ball.
But Owen doesn't fit in that system, it requires a strong striker up front. Kewell should be good on the left flank, if Diouf finds his groove he could make a good right flank player in that system (but he won't though). The two most important positions, the central midfielders (Baraja and Albelda at Valencia) should be filled appropriatly with Hamann and Gerrard. But I don't see anyone capable of taking the role of Aimar though at Liverpool, Le Tallec probably won't be ready yet for that...
For some reason, that system (I'd actually call it a 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1, but we mean the same thing) seems to work mostly in Spain. In other leagues, I've rarely seen a successful implementation of this system. It might have to do with the abundance of good offensive wingers in Spain (look at the spanish national team for example, the wingers are their deepest position).

For some reason, that system (I'd actually call it a 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1, but we mean the same thing) seems to work mostly in Spain. In other leagues, I've rarely seen a successful implementation of this system. It might have to do with the abundance of good offensive wingers in Spain (look at the spanish national team for example, the wingers are their deepest position).

I think the main reason is the technical ability of all the midfielders. If you look at Depor and Valencia at their best, they are lightning fast in transition but when they're in form, they're also brilliant in the short combination. The technical ability required to play that type of game is only available in Spain I think.
I mean I love Steven Gerrard, but he's not on Albelda or Baraja's level when the short passing is involved.

So I would agree that the system might not work immediatly, but I like the idea of a coach sticking to a system. If Benitez is given the chance to work a bit and get a few players (A right flank and attacking midfielder should be priorities) I think his system can be succesful, even in England. (oh yeah, he'd need to add a defender that's faster than a snail and more mobile than a brick wall as well I think)

Great news!
Any time Houiller is unemployed is great soccer news!

At least he brought Cisse, Le Tallec and Sinama-Pongolle to Liverpool.
These three should make for a deadly attack in the 5 years in Liverpool.
They might be the best french striker in a year or two (yes Cisse will be better than Henry and Trezeguet IMO) and the best two young french prospects which should both be stars in 5 years.

(oh yeah, he'd need to add a defender that's faster than a snail and more mobile than a brick wall as well I think)
Are you referring to the guy that's just been selected to our Euro roster and that I hope will never play there? ;)

Are you referring to the guy that's just been selected to our Euro roster and that I hope will never play there? ;)
Yeah, him, Biscan and a Finn (but at least does decent best at times)

Boy do I ever dislike that Swish centre back. When he was wanted by another team (Mönchengladbach IIRC) this season I couldn't believe Houllier didn't want let him go...

Any rumours where are Houllier and Queiros going now? Is Queiros perhaps returning to Manchester and getting that defence line work again? And Houllier, is he going back to France?

And Houllier, is he going back to France?
Oh god please no!

Great news!
Any time Houiller is unemployed is great soccer news!

At least he brought Cisse, Le Tallec and Sinama-Pongolle to Liverpool.
These three should make for a deadly attack in the 5 years in Liverpool.
They might be the best french striker in a year or two (yes Cisse will be better than Henry and Trezeguet IMO) and the best two young french prospects which should both be stars in 5 years.

is cisse still going to anfield then? i thought as a signing of GH there could be a problem with his summer signing i.e the new gaffer doesnt want him ... or is there a signed contract whereby liverpool has to take him regardless? i heard he injured his knee as well is this true?

cisse would be a good signing but will he be able to play with owen, that will prob what decideds if he is a good signing or not

Boy do I ever dislike that Swish centre back. When he was wanted by another team (Mönchengladbach IIRC) this season I couldn't believe Houllier didn't want let him go...
Funny enough, there are rumors that Bayern is interested in Henchoz... :shakehead

is cisse still going to anfield then? i thought as a signing of GH there could be a problem with his summer signing i.e the new gaffer doesnt want him ... or is there a signed contract whereby liverpool has to take him regardless? i heard he injured his knee as well is this true?

cisse would be a good signing but will he be able to play with owen, that will prob what decideds if he is a good signing or not.

Three days ago Cissé said in an interview that his transfer was still going ahead even if Houllier was no longer in charge. I just hope he'll be keeping his word

And yes I think he could be good with Owen. Cissé is lightning fast but a bit stronger than Owen, a better header of the ball too. It's not an ideal combination on paper, but I think it might work. With that kind of pace up front opposing teams should really have something to worry about...

Funny enough, there are rumors that Bayern is interested in Henchoz... :shakehead

If I were the Liverpool chairman I'd personally transport him from Liverpool to Bayern on my bike just to get rid of him :)

Personally, I would love to have O'Neil at Anfield. But the dark horse for me should it happen would be Claudio Raneiri. He looks like an astute fellow.

If Bayern is after Henchoz, they can have him I say. I say use that money and part of the money coming into the club and spend it on Lucio who from what i've read wanted out of Leverkusen. Ideally, maybe a Spanish coach like Mourinho could lure a guy like Lucio to the club. Now a Lucio and Hyppia pairing, has me drooling at the lips.

If Bayern is after Henchoz, they can have him I say. I say use that money and part of the money coming into the club and spend it on Lucio who from what i've read wanted out of Leverkusen. Ideally, maybe a Spanish coach like Mourinho could lure a guy like Lucio to the club. Now a Lucio and Hyppia pairing, has me drooling at the lips.
Lucio to Bayern München is almost done according to reports. This could also mean that no matter how fast BF would ride his bycicle, they might reject him at the end ;)

Lucio to Bayern München is almost done according to reports. This could also mean that no matter how fast BF would ride his bycicle, they might reject him at the end ;)
Never underestimate a belgian cyclist!
Not only are they fast, but they could sell anything to anyone!
Heck they even sell the media that they don't use doping products! ;)

PS : not that they're the only ones!

wow, I never knew so many soccer fans could be so ignorant and spoon fed by the media. Shame on you.

I love Liverpool more than any team, and I am a supporter, I go to the games, I don't take what the press say as gospel, I GO TO THE GAMES and make my own mind up. I KNOW how Liverpool played under Houllier, and what they achieved. And what HE has achieved in his career. And as a LIverpool SUPPORTER, seeing Gerard leave was a sad day. yes it was time to part, but it didn't stop the hurt.

Good luck Gerard, and I hope you never come across such ignorant people as the English press again.

Read this, and get a grasp on what this fine man did for Liverpool:

Houllier deserves to have the good times remembered.

It saddens me that even now, after Gerard Houllier has left, the press are still hell bent on blackening his name. The way some papers announced his departure, the continuing rubbish spouted about his transfer record, none of it has seemingly stopped for a moment, just to reflect on the good times this dignified man brought to the club. The way GH departed this club, was like the way he ran this club, with good grace and humility. And we should remember and appreciate that. In a time where Liverpool are still considering selling out to the Thai prime minister who would have been happy to buy into our bitter neighbours, it's good to know that at least our former manager behaved with the class associated with this club.

This isn't about whether it was right or wrong to allow GH to go. I was ready to see a change, but that didn't stop the sadness at his leaving. And if there are fans out there who didn't feel sadness both for his departure, and also for him, so obviously devastated by this, then we really must be a heartless bunch.

So time to put aside the ridiculously cruel press he had to suffer through the year, and remember what he did do for this club, and focus on what a lucky man the new manager will be, taking over a solid club both on and off the field.

The cups speak for themselves. And at the end of the day, whatever people say, those go down in history, it's them that are on the official records, and won't be forgotten. And GH won more in his time here than the rest of the Premiership managers, bar the obvious two, put together. With the cups came many happy memories for the fans, especially those who went to the games. We had 5 trips to Cardiff, as well as some wonderful nights in Europe home and away.

Then there are some memorable games to recall in the league. Just to mention a few - Four wins in a row at Goodison, a great feat that made Reds everywhere happy, still for me, the derby games are the ones that mean the most, they are the ones closest to my heart. Then remember those words 'we will beat Manchester United one day, I promise you that'. We beat them 7 times of the last 10 games under Houllier's reign, including the incredible 3 away wins, 2 in Cardiff including a wonderful League Cup Final victory, as well as the memorable 3-1 'Riise Rocket' game with the GH mosaic. Then there was the away win at Chelsea FINALLY ending the jinx, and in the season when it was least likely to happen, after Chelsea had spent over a hundred million in just a few weeks that summer.

And probably the most poignant moments of his time here was of course when he was taken so seriously ill in October 2001. Let's never forget that this man almost died during his time with us. And for a club like Liverpool who has suffered too much tragedy, lets be thankful we didn't suffer another, because we came mighty close. The months that followed showed the sort of support that many other clubs would have struggled to match. And as Houllier's wife said at the time 'We'll never forget'. I can only hope she finds it easier to forget things that where said about her husband later in his Liverpool career.

Then there are the players he brought to the club, and the ones he helped develop. I read possibly the most insulting and disturbingly inaccurate article this week by Matt Lawton from the Daily Mail - yeah I know, I shouldn't read such rubbish. His childish and cruel verdict was that Houllier had signed only two good players - Kirkland and Hyypia. I guess he had a bit of a memory lapse when it came to players like Hamann, Henchoz, Kewell, Baros, McAllister, Babbel, Riise, Finnan, Dudek, as well as players like Westerveld and Barmby who had such a big part in one of the clubs most glorious seasons' in recent years. Mind you, maybe it should be taken as the ultimate compliment, to sign only two good players and win what he did, is one heck on an accomplishment!

And his influence in the development of two players in particular stand out - Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. Careers that could have gone either way. Shortly after Houllier arrived, there where much publicised incidents involving young Jamie. And he himself recalls a heart to heart with Houllier one day. Asked to travel with Houllier in his car to Anfield, they had a chat, that set Carragher on his way to becoming a true credit to Liverpool FC. And I recall the times when Gerrard was played seemingly out of position, during the times he was struggling with back problems, growing pains you might say. Fans where often moaning about this and calling for Gerrard to be played in the centre, but the time spent on the right of midfield not only took him out of the more physical central position, and in doing so giving him time to grow into his then spindly frame, but helped him develop his game. And that along with the well documented fathering off the field, has gone a long way to making Gerrard one of the most complete players in the game in England.

And probably the most important thing Houllier did for this club, is something that will remain a focus for a long time to come - the redevelopment of Melwood. It's something you hear when new players sign - how impressed they are with the facilities, that it's like nothing they have seen before. From the planning and design onwards, this was Houllier's baby. Done out of the limelight and often forgotten, but it's singularly the most stunning thing that he could have done for this club, a massive legacy.

One of the most infuriating and upsetting things about Houllier's reign at Anfield is how, in it's final few months, it's been disparaged by the press and many fans, who have tried their best to do nothing but humiliate him and discredit him. And that is just sad. The fact that the press only want to recall the struggles, and none of the good times is a shameful example of how football is portrayed over here. There are teams like Manchester City, Newcastle United, and of course Chelsea, who have spent an incredible amount between them over the last 3 years, and have nothing to show for it, yet it was always Houllier that got it in the neck. So indulge me while I redress the balance this one last time, and give credit where it's due to this man.

And so onto the future, and what a bright one it promises to be. The new manager will have the most wonderful facility at Melwood at his disposal. And already a strong spine to the team and a solid squad of players. Whereas I'm sure a new manager will want to bring in his own people, I'd be surprised if he wouldn't be pleased to have a group like Gerrard, Cisse, Kewell, Owen, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Kirkland, Dudek, Baros, Le Tallec, Sinama-Pongolle, Carragher, and maybe influential players such as Hamann should he wish to keep him, to build upon.

So onwards and upwards. Thank you Gerard, for your relentless hard work, and dedication to this club. Now we move on, with the foundations firmly intact.

Personally, I would love to have O'Neil at Anfield. But the dark horse for me should it happen would be Claudio Raneiri. He looks like an astute fellow.


I despair :lol:

It makes me LAUGH when people say they want Martin O'Hoof - LORD OF THE LONGBALL at Anfield. You had issues with the style under Houllier no doubt - and you want THIS idiot in? And I have news for you. For him to come to Liverpool he needs to eat major crow. The Liverpool CEO and chariman can't stand the guy, all the rubbish that has gone on with him in the last 12 months have hit hard, and they cannot bear the classless idiot.


And then to make your post even funnier - you would like RANIERI??? Yes, Ranieri is a funny guy, he's a nice guy, but hell, Chel$ea play the most defensive, boring football in England. The tinker man tinkers to such an extent his own team have no clue what is going on. And people have issues with what Houllier has spent? Houllier's net spending in six years is around £60 million. Ranieri's net spending in 3 years is OVER A 120 MILLION - yet he has won NOTHING!!! And half the players he bought last summer where a complete bust.

Liverpool fans PLEASE do me a favour - DON't be so gullible, make your own minds up.

And then to make your post even funnier - you would like RANIERI??? Yes, Ranieri is a funny guy, he's a nice guy, but hell, Chel$ea play the most defensive, boring football in England. The tinker man tinkers to such an extent his own team have no clue what is going on. And people have issues with what Houllier has spent? Houllier's net spending in six years is around £60 million. Ranieri's net spending in 3 years is OVER A 120 MILLION - yet he has won NOTHING!!! And half the players he bought last summer where a complete bust.

Liverpool fans PLEASE do me a favour - DON't be so gullible, make your own minds up.

Ranieri didn`t buy them. Kenyon and Roman did...

I despair :lol:

It makes me LAUGH when people say they want Martin O'Hoof - LORD OF THE LONGBALL at Anfield. You had issues with the style under Houllier no doubt - and you want THIS idiot in? And I have news for you. For him to come to Liverpool he needs to eat major crow. The Liverpool CEO and chariman can't stand the guy, all the rubbish that has gone on with him in the last 12 months have hit hard, and they cannot bear the classless idiot.


And then to make your post even funnier - you would like RANIERI??? Yes, Ranieri is a funny guy, he's a nice guy, but hell, Chel$ea play the most defensive, boring football in England. The tinker man tinkers to such an extent his own team have no clue what is going on. And people have issues with what Houllier has spent? Houllier's net spending in six years is around £60 million. Ranieri's net spending in 3 years is OVER A 120 MILLION - yet he has won NOTHING!!! And half the players he bought last summer where a complete bust.

Liverpool fans PLEASE do me a favour - DON't be so gullible, make your own minds up.

No offense, but did Houllier send you ?

Personally i've nothing against Houllier but the magic between Houllier and Liverpool was over. Hector Cuper should be their new coach.

I like your idea of "to make your own minds up". I try to convince other people with that statement as well.

No offense, but did Houllier send you ?

Personally i've nothing against Houllier but the magic between Houllier and Liverpool was over. Hector Cuper should be their new coach.

I like your idea of "to make your own minds up". I try to convince other people with that statement as well.

Do you mean that:
Gerard Houllier= Boring football
Hector Cuper= Full on entertainment???????????? :eek:

Cuper is a very tactical type of manager and I really don't think that he would be a great pick up to succeed Houllier. I doubt Cuper style of coaching would work well in the premiership.

hopefully Liverpool will contend next year, and be more exciting to watch. i only get to watch 1 game a week, so i'd like the game i watch to be fun.

Gérard Houiller is a graceless individual that has too much of a big ego to acknowledge his own mistakes.
I wish him all the worst.
Any day Houiller is unemployed is a good day.

Hector Cuper is IMO one of the best coaches in soccer. He never plays very offensive either but it's not boring.
Do you mean that:
Gerard Houllier= Boring football
Hector Cuper= Full on entertainment???????????? :eek:

No but there's a middle course.



Cuper is a very tactical type of manager and I really don't think that he would be a great pick up to succeed Houllier. I doubt Cuper style of coaching would work well in the premiership.

You don't have to think Liverpool will dramatically change their style of play with a new coach. Owen is the same type of player as Claudio Lopez, where the success of Valencia was based on. Quite often Arsenal plays counterfootball as well, that isn't boring either.

wow, I never knew so many soccer fans could be so ignorant and spoon fed by the media. Shame on you.

I love Liverpool more than any team, and I am a supporter, I go to the games, I don't take what the press say as gospel, I GO TO THE GAMES and make my own mind up. I KNOW how Liverpool played under Houllier, and what they achieved. And what HE has achieved in his career. And as a LIverpool SUPPORTER, seeing Gerard leave was a sad day. yes it was time to part, but it didn't stop the hurt.

Well I'm a supporter too, and I see about 40 to 50 % of the matches so I think I hae a pretty good view of the situation as well.

And I think Liverpool failed to bring good football in these six years. It was alright with me while we were winning things (the Cup and the UEFA Cup) but when you're not producing results with your approach anymore it's time to adapt. Gerrard tried that this season (and also last season at times) when he went for a more open approach, but than the weakeness of the defense became apparent: they're too slow and lack too much mobility to play with large spaces behind their backs.


Good luck Gerard, and I hope you never come across such ignorant people as the English press again.

Yes, good luck too him, but I don't think the press was too hard on him. If he was managing in Italy or Spain he would've had a much harder time with the lack of results he's faced at times.



Read this, and get a grasp on what this fine man did for Liverpool:

Houllier deserves to have the good times remembered.

It saddens me that even now, after Gerard Houllier has left, the press are still hell bent on blackening his name. The way some papers announced his departure, the continuing rubbish spouted about his transfer record, none of it has seemingly stopped for a moment, just to reflect on the good times this dignified man brought to the club. The way GH departed this club, was like the way he ran this club, with good grace and humility. And we should remember and appreciate that. In a time where Liverpool are still considering selling out to the Thai prime minister who would have been happy to buy into our bitter neighbours, it's good to know that at least our former manager behaved with the class associated with this club.

Agreed on both counts, the Thai investment idea is not the way Liverpool should go IMO, and secondly, Houllier did behave himself like a class act when he was cut loose, no backstabs at the club or the board...


This isn't about whether it was right or wrong to allow GH to go. I was ready to see a change, but that didn't stop the sadness at his leaving. And if there are fans out there who didn't feel sadness both for his departure, and also for him, so obviously devastated by this, then we really must be a heartless bunch.

Well, I felt bad for him personally, as I feel he did try his very best for this club and tried his heart out (sorry for that one), but that doesn't mean it wasn't the right thing to do.


So time to put aside the ridiculously cruel press he had to suffer through the year, and remember what he did do for this club, and focus on what a lucky man the new manager will be, taking over a solid club both on and off the field.

Well, in a way you're right, but on the other hand, a manager having to take over a club wich is expected to win the league that has to cut loose so many dead wood that accumulated during Gerard's reign and having to replace them will have a bit of work to do as well...


The cups speak for themselves. And at the end of the day, whatever people say, those go down in history, it's them that are on the official records, and won't be forgotten. And GH won more in his time here than the rest of the Premiership managers, bar the obvious two, put together. With the cups came many happy memories for the fans, especially those who went to the games. We had 5 trips to Cardiff, as well as some wonderful nights in Europe home and away.

Yeah, those cups are a great achievement. But only the FA cup and UEFA cup are real major prices IMO, there's not much denying in that.

And oh yes, those European nights were great. I remember I had tickets to go and see a concert on the day that Liverpool played the second leg of the semis against Barcelona, with my brother and a few friends. The plan was to go and see the concert and than go home and watch the game on tape. But I was too nervous to go, so my brother had to call someone an hour before they left because I didn't want to go anymore. Tha game was dull, but I still don't regret that decision :)
And than that FA cup final, another dull game, but what an ending!!


Then there are some memorable games to recall in the league. Just to mention a few - Four wins in a row at Goodison, a great feat that made Reds everywhere happy, still for me, the derby games are the ones that mean the most, they are the ones closest to my heart. Then remember those words 'we will beat Manchester United one day, I promise you that'. We beat them 7 times of the last 10 games under Houllier's reign, including the incredible 3 away wins, 2 in Cardiff including a wonderful League Cup Final victory, as well as the memorable 3-1 'Riise Rocket' game with the GH mosaic. Then there was the away win at Chelsea FINALLY ending the jinx, and in the season when it was least likely to happen, after Chelsea had spent over a hundred million in just a few weeks that summer.

The Goodison feat may be true, but I always feel you've got to look to the larger picture, Liverpool just haven't produced in the league. Especially at Anfield, when Liverpool are supposed to take the play to the opponents, the lack of technical ability and talent in most of the players becomes painfully apparent. Anfield should be a fortres and teams should be trembling to go there like in the old days, but right now we're just not good enough at home...


And probably the most poignant moments of his time here was of course when he was taken so seriously ill in October 2001. Let's never forget that this man almost died during his time with us. And for a club like Liverpool who has suffered too much tragedy, lets be thankful we didn't suffer another, because we came mighty close. The months that followed showed the sort of support that many other clubs would have struggled to match. And as Houllier's wife said at the time 'We'll never forget'. I can only hope she finds it easier to forget things that where said about her husband later in his Liverpool career.

It's not like he was excused of criticism after what he went through.
No disrespect intended by the way, that was an immense personal tragedy for Mr. Houllier and his family. and the support shown by the club and the supporters WAS indeed fantastic, and I think it helped him getting better when he saw how much the fans cared.
But that doesn't make him immune for criticism, if you don't do your job properly after such a tragedy that doesn't mean your boss doesn't have the right to criticise you for that...


Then there are the players he brought to the club, and the ones he helped develop. I read possibly the most insulting and disturbingly inaccurate article this week by Matt Lawton from the Daily Mail - yeah I know, I shouldn't read such rubbish. His childish and cruel verdict was that Houllier had signed only two good players - Kirkland and Hyypia. I guess he had a bit of a memory lapse when it came to players like Hamann, Henchoz, Kewell, Baros, McAllister, Babbel, Riise, Finnan, Dudek, as well as players like Westerveld and Barmby who had such a big part in one of the clubs most glorious seasons' in recent years. Mind you, maybe it should be taken as the ultimate compliment, to sign only two good players and win what he did, is one heck on an accomplishment!

I have to disagree with you here.
I'll break Houllier's transfers down into three categories:

Succes:
McAllister, Hyypia (even though he isn't very agile- but I'll forgive him)

Good/Decent:
Kewell (he hasn't performed that good yet, but on ability he should be in the first category)
Dudek
Kirkland (same comment as with Kewel for both goalies, great ability, but they haven't performed to it yet on a consistent level - or because of injuries)
Hamann (very steady player, great team player, lacks a bit of footballing skills from the midfield IMO to make him a real top player, + £8M was a slight overpayment IMO)
Baros (great talent, misued though he should have been further in his development by onw)
Sinama and Le Tallec (good signings, will hopefully reach the succes category)

Westerveld was decent, but judging by his current form, letting him go was a mistake. Another thing is that Houllier should not have bought two keepers on the same day. It has hurt Kirkland's development...

The rest are not very positive transfers IMO.
Finnan is not a good defensive right back, same goes for Riise, he's not a bad player, but I don't see him as a back to build a championship team on.
Henchoz is just a pilon with great character and desire, but like I said earlier, totally lacks mobility when having to play with space behind him
Diao was a mistake, Diouf an even bigger one (10M for a striker that can't score a goal?? and than get's played like a winger even though he can hardly deliver a decent cross?) Smicer had a few good games and important goals, but he's too soft for the English game (and he's a diver).
Biscan? Mistake and misused, he probably was talented when we signed him, but right now he's just painful to watch.
Cheyrou? Another expensive mistake, scored in succesive games but never showed that he brought somehting extra to the team
Vignal? Traoré? ...
Babbel? Was good for one season, but the illness is not Gerard's fault of course
Ziege? He didn't fit into a 4-4-2 system, something they should have known.



And his influence in the development of two players in particular stand out - Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. Careers that could have gone either way. Shortly after Houllier arrived, there where much publicised incidents involving young Jamie. And he himself recalls a heart to heart with Houllier one day. Asked to travel with Houllier in his car to Anfield, they had a chat, that set Carragher on his way to becoming a true credit to Liverpool FC. And I recall the times when Gerrard was played seemingly out of position, during the times he was struggling with back problems, growing pains you might say. Fans where often moaning about this and calling for Gerrard to be played in the centre, but the time spent on the right of midfield not only took him out of the more physical central position, and in doing so giving him time to grow into his then spindly frame, but helped him develop his game. And that along with the well documented fathering off the field, has gone a long way to making Gerrard one of the most complete players in the game in England.

Agreed on Gerrard, but I still don't like the sight of him on the right or left.
He also still tends to play the rash long ball from time to time, but that has indeed improved as well, and you can't entirely change the way a player likes to play so that's nothing to hold against Mr. Houllier.

As for Carragher, I hope he can continue his end of season form. He played great in the centre back position. Still he lacks some basic skills IMO to make him a reliable, great player. But defensively he has grown a lot in the years, on that I agree as well.



And probably the most important thing Houllier did for this club, is something that will remain a focus for a long time to come - the redevelopment of Melwood. It's something you hear when new players sign - how impressed they are with the facilities, that it's like nothing they have seen before. From the planning and design onwards, this was Houllier's baby. Done out of the limelight and often forgotten, but it's singularly the most stunning thing that he could have done for this club, a massive legacy.

On this I agree as well, he brought professionalism to the clubs setup and that is a very good thing and we will get the rewards of that in the future.



One of the most infuriating and upsetting things about Houllier's reign at Anfield is how, in it's final few months, it's been disparaged by the press and many fans, who have tried their best to do nothing but humiliate him and discredit him. And that is just sad. The fact that the press only want to recall the struggles, and none of the good times is a shameful example of how football is portrayed over here. There are teams like Manchester City, Newcastle United, and of course Chelsea, who have spent an incredible amount between them over the last 3 years, and have nothing to show for it, yet it was always Houllier that got it in the neck. So indulge me while I redress the balance this one last time, and give credit where it's due to this man.

Those teams haven't got half of the history behind them that Liverpool has. Liverpool is a club that demands and deserves excellence. Fourth place simply is not good enough for this kind of club. And since Mr. Houllier has had 6 years to take us back to the title and failed, I think it was time for him to go.
Don't forget that he has entirely built the current team, so he has received time enough to prove that he could win it all. Remember his two to three year plan when he first started out?

Besides, the team just wasn't playing good. I absolutely hate it when the back four were making (back)passes to each other untill Riise decided to kick the ball forward towards Owen who was left helplessly alond in the sole striker position so the defender could just head the ball away. Yeah I know it's a caricature, but it was that way sometimes, just painfull to watch as a football and Liverpool fan.



And so onto the future, and what a bright one it promises to be. The new manager will have the most wonderful facility at Melwood at his disposal. And already a strong spine to the team and a solid squad of players. Whereas I'm sure a new manager will want to bring in his own people, I'd be surprised if he wouldn't be pleased to have a group like Gerrard, Cisse, Kewell, Owen, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Kirkland, Dudek, Baros, Le Tallec, Sinama-Pongolle, Carragher, and maybe influential players such as Hamann should he wish to keep him, to build upon.

The team need an overhaul. At the moment there are three top quality plaers there, Gerrard, Owen and Kewell (four if you ad Cissé actually)
Kirkland and Dudek are very solid, as are Hyypia and Hamann.
Murphy and Carra are players that I would keep as well, but not as main building blocks. And the youngster like Baros, Sinama and Le Tallec I'd keep as well.

But the rest is dead wood and should all go out the door. Too many mediocre players have caused the lack of results. Get rid of as many as you can (the likes of Biscan, Henchoz, Diao, Diouf, Smicer, Traoré, Diao, Cheyrou and the rest) and replace them with a few quality guys.
Play a solid 4-4-2 system, with Kewell on the left, where he belongs, Gerrard and Hamann in the centre (I would opt to sell Hamann though and buy Van Bommel who's going to go pretty cheaply this summer), and add a nice right winger.
With Cissé and Owen up front we shouldn't play long ball like we have been but use Kewell and Gerrards skills to finally play a technical and posession game (like we did at times the last 10 games or so).
Add a fast central defender (Mexes anyone?) to play alongside Hyypia, and than you can even keep Riise and Carra or Finnan on the backs (with Carra as insurance for every postion)


So onwards and upwards. Thank you Gerard, for your relentless hard work, and dedication to this club. Now we move on, with the foundations firmly intact.

His dedication and hard work have never been questioned, not even by his harshest critics. There's no doubt he tried his best and did everything he could for what he thought was best for the CLub. Unfortunately things didn't work out for him and that's too bad.

Hopefully we'll get someone new who can finally bring the title back where it belongs.



Sorry for this long post, I did my best to keep it short but i'm afraid it didn't work, I find it hard to remain silent when Liverpool is discussed :)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3765515.stm

Oh well, it seems my 4-4-2 plan won't come ture: Mr. Benitez has just resigned as Valancia coach (wich saddens me as Valencia is my favorite Spanish club) but this of course increases speculation that his next destination is Liverpool...

Mr. Benitez has just resigned as Valancia coach (wich saddens me as Valencia is my favorite Spanish club)
:cry:

Isn't there allready a thread for Soccer Transfers??

Isn't there allready a thread for Soccer Transfers??

Since this isn't about transfers I don't see the problem, besides, as the late, great Bill Shankley once said:
"Football isn't a matter of life and death, it's far more important than that!"

So an extra thread about the most important club in the most important game of the world is not too much to ask I would say

the most important club in the most important game of the world
Homer ;)