Gerard Houllier: Tributes paid as former Liverpool and Aston Villa manager dies, aged 73

Former Liverpool, Aston Villa and France manager Gerard Houllier has died, aged 73.

Houllier, who enjoyed a managerial career lasting nearly 40 years before retiring in 2011, passed away on Monday morning having been suffering with health problems for a while.

Houllier is a Liverpool icon and many tributes were paid to him upon news of his tragic passing

He is best known in England for managing Liverpool between 1998 and 2004, although he also took charge of Aston Villa at the end of his career.

He was the France national team manager in the early 1990s and also won PSG their first ever French league title in 1986.

With Liverpool, Houllier won a famous cup treble of FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup in the 2000/01 season.

RIP Gérard Houllier pic.twitter.com/lRM1nO407m

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 14, 2020

Asked how much the manager meant to him, Murphy told talkSPORT: “A lot

“He’d want me to talk, that’s the type of man he was, he always wanted you to be the best you and try and overcome fears.

“He changed my career. He made me see football differently, the way I looked after myself.

“He was intelligent, a warm character. He couldn’t kick a ball – we’d sometimes have a laugh when he tried in training – but in terms of tactics, of captivating a room and inspiring people, he was fantastic. A great guy.

“The warmth he always gave me I still feel when I speak about him.

“I’ve got so much to thank him for.

“He’d be grateful for the years he’s had since he died the first time, on the operating table. It was a massive heart attack, but they brought him back and it was remarkable what he went through and what he achieved afterwards.

“He could barely speak after that operation, but a few weeks later he still called me up when we beat Manchester United and I scored to say ‘well done’.

“That’s the type of guy he was.“He put in place what was needed for Liverpool to be where they are now.

“I can’t even put into words the impact he made on my career. I’m the person I am now because of him.”

Murphy’s Reds teammate Michael Owen wrote on Twitter: “Absolutely heartbroken to hear that my old boss, Gérard Houllier, has sadly passed away. A great manager and a genuinely caring man.”

Jamie Carragher, also part of Liverpool’s 2000/01 treble winning side, added: “Absolutely devastated by the news about Gerard Houllier, I was in touch with him only last month to arrange him coming to Liverpool.

“Loved that man to bits, he changed me as a person & as a player & got @LFC back winning trophies. RIP Boss.”

Liverpool’s fierce rivals Everton paid their respects: “Our thoughts are with the family of former France, Liverpool, PSG and Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier, as well as those close to him on Merseyside. RIP Gerard.”

talkSPORT’s Darren Bent, who played under Houllier at Aston Villa, also wrote: “R.I.P Boss , You will be missed , Could not speak highly enough of you, not just as a manager but as a person as well. Taught me to see things Differently. Condolences to the Houllier family.”