Gérard Houllier, it’s not just the debacle of 1993 and two defeats against Israel (2-3) and Bulgaria (1-2) at the Parc des Princes.
If this failure at the head of the France team will mark his career forever, it would be an insult to him to sum up his thirty years on the bench to this fiasco.
Because Gérard Houllier has also, and above all, gained a lot. Here are his main achievements, club by club.
US Noeux-les-Mines (1976 – 1982)
Originally “Ch’ti”, Gérard Houllier started his coaching career in his department of birth, Pas-de-Calais.
He managed Noeux-les-Mines for several seasons, a club with amateur status that he brought to the second division, and even lacking a nothing accession to Division 1 in 1981, beaten in dams by Toulouse.
RC Lens (1982 – 1985)
Logically, Houllier crosses a plateau by going to lead the neighbor Lensois. He brought the blood and gold club back to the top of the table (4th in his first season), with a qualifying for the UEFA Cup at stake.
Paris SG (1985 – 1988)
Even if the following two seasons are mixed with the RCL (13th and 7th), Houllier is attracting the favors of PSG. Who will not regret it! The French technician will remain forever the first champion coach of France at the head of the capital club (1986).
French teams
Besides his failure with the A on the road to the 1994 World Cup, Gérard Houllier puts his talent at the service of the youth teams, in his capacity as DTN.
He thus leads the French under-18 team to the European coronation in 1996, under his orders Thierry Henry, David Trézéguet, Nicolas Anelka or William Gallas.
The following year, he led the same generation to the victory at the prestigious Toulon tournament.
Liverpool
His stint with the Liverpool Reds, from 1998 to 2004, was crowned with success. In addition to throwing talented young people (Gerrard, Owen), he accumulates trophies.
Of which a good part during this crazy year 2001: victories in the Uefa Cup, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the European Supercup and the Charity Shield. He will also reach 2nd place in the championship the following year.
Olympique lyonnais
His return to France is fruitful. On the side of Olympique Lyonnais, Houllier adds four titles in its window in two seasons.
He was champion of France in 2006 and 2007, in addition to removing the Champions Trophy in 2005 and 2006.
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