The replacement for MON...?

[eamonn]

2 year contract without Big Nose according to L'Equipe.

[kippaxvilla2]

I'll bet his Assistant will be McDonald.  Bad do, if so.  Years of mediocrity await.

[Pete3206]

I appreciate a lot of papers talk bollocks but I find sky sports pretty reliable mostly.

Reliable for attractive female presenters and hyperbole ad nauseum. Reliable news? Nah.

[kippaxvilla2]

I know it belongs in another thread but the coverage of the Pakistan team bus on Sky Sports News has been hilarious.

Breaking news last weeks was it 'leaving team hotel for Taunton'.  More after the break - dum dum der der der dum dum.

Then it was Breaking News 'Pakistan Coach Driver stops off at Bridgewater Services and purchases pack of Fox's Glacier Fruits and has a go on the fruitie......more to follow' dum, dum der der der dum dum.

[Irreverent ad]

L'Equipe are reporting that Phil Thompson WILL NOT be Houllier's assistant.

The L'Equipe online article weirdly says that Houllier wants to take PT. Where have Sky got their info that he is not going. If it is from PT, why quote L'Equipe article??

"According to our information, Gerard Houllier would have given his agreement for s' to engage with the English club d' Aston Villa. L' current DTN was in England last weekend and it set out again about it Monday evening. The negotiations between the two parts would have succeeded this Tuesday for the signature d' a contract d' one two years duration. Houllier, who would owe officially s' to take Wednesday, would like to have like assistant sound old right-hand man at Reds Phil Thompson, currently consulting on Sky Sports. The club of Birmingham sought a trainer since the departure surprised of Martin O' Neill, last on August 9. Gerard Houllier already involved in First League puisqu' he was the manager of Liverpool of 1998 to 2004. "

[eastie]

Yesterday colley on sky said definately thommo as did mark lawrenson on radio 5 earlier today- wires crossed I think somewhere.

[dave.woodhall]

"would like to have like assistant sound old right-hand man at Reds Phil Thompson"

Somebody has put a belter in there and congratulations to them.

[kippaxvilla2]

Phil Thompson was seen in Sky TV's Reception area yesterday handing in a set of earphones.  Read into that what you will.

[adrenachrome]

Gerard Houllier is poised to sign a two-year contract to become the 25th manager in Aston Villa's 126-year history.

By Telegraph staff
Published: 5:06PM BST 07 Sep 2010

Gerard Houllier set to sign two-year contract as new Aston Villa manager

According to reports in France, the former Liverpool manager will sign the deal, having spent the weekend in England meeting Villa's representatives.

Houllier is set to hand in his resignation as France's technical director on Wednesday, with the French Football Federation unlikely to stand in his way.

Houllier will be only the second foreign coach to take charge of Villa after Jozef Venglos' ill-fated spell two decades ago.

He is set to be named as Villa's fifth manager of the new millennium after John Gregory, Graham Taylor, David O'Leary and O'Neill.

It will represent the end of a six-year exile from the Premier League for Houllier since his reign at Liverpool came to an end in May 2004.

Houllier, who has been working as France's technical director, is expected to face the media for the first time in his new role on Thursday. His first match in charge would be the away clash with Stoke on Monday.

Houllier's former Liverpool number two, Phil Thompson, is expected to follow him to Villa Park.

When Villa started recruiting in earnest to replace O'Neill, they admitted that Premier League experience was high on their list of priorities - and Houllier has that in abundance.

The former schoolteacher has been in management for 37 years and his clubs included Lens, Paris St Germain and, after leaving Anfield, Lyon.

He joined Liverpool in July 1998 and won the Uefa Cup, two League Cups, an FA Cup and a European Super Cup during almost six years at the helm.

He had more than a 50 per cent winning rate from his 325 matches in charge as Liverpool's first non-British manager.

Houllier, who was awarded an honorary OBE for his services to British football, suffered heart problems during the end of his term at Anfield, although he looked in prime condition when seen at Jamie Carragher's testimonial on Saturday.

Thompson has worked as a pundit with Sky Sports for the past six years since leaving Anfield, where he formed a successful partnership with Houllier.

He will also bring a massive bank of experience to Villa based on three decades on the playing and managerial side at Liverpool.

He won three European Cups and seven league titles as a player and latterly as captain in addition to 42 England caps.

Thompson then worked alongside Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness and then Houllier in the Anfield dug-out after hanging up his boots at only 31.

The 56 year-old also had a spell as caretaker boss when Houllier had to undergo heart surgery.

It is still to be decided what role the current caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald would have under the new regime. He has been successful as reserve team coach but may be offered a post as part of the first-team set-up.

[Phil from the upper holte]

A former school teacher eh?

Nigel Im talking will you be quie...Are you chewing?

I just want it all confirmed and sorted now

[Phil from the upper holte]

Phil Thompson was seen in Sky TV's Reception area yesterday handing in a set of earphones.  Read into that what you will.

They were Rodney marsh's old ones

[PaulWinch again]

The article from Phil McNulty on the BBC makes very encouraging reading. Plus the fact it suggests Randy will definitely have made Houllier aware that we are still ambitious as a club.

[TonyD]

My liverpool supporting mate emailed me today, said:

be prepared for lots of post-match interviews where Houllier cites all the stats about shots on goals and posession superiority, despite the fact that you have spent the game knocking long balls into Heskey, been clearly outpassed and created a few half chances.

Probably harsh, but I'm not expecting it to be any more entertaining than it was under MON. Which isn't to say he won't get my support.

More long balls to Heskey - please for the fucking love of god NO!  The man is a Houdini.

[Phil from the upper holte]

My liverpool supporting mate emailed me today, said:

be prepared for lots of post-match interviews where Houllier cites all the stats about shots on goals and posession superiority, despite the fact that you have spent the game knocking long balls into Heskey, been clearly outpassed and created a few half chances.

Probably harsh, but I'm not expecting it to be any more entertaining than it was under MON. Which isn't to say he won't get my support.

More long balls to Heskey - please for the fucking love of god NO!  The man is a Houdini.

Just ignore him he's jealous

[Michel Sibble]

Houllier agrees to join

Accoring to our information, Gerard Houllier has given his OK to join English club Aston Villa. The current Technical Director for the French football team was in England last weekend, leaving Monday evening. Discussions between the two parties could lead to a signature this Monday for a two-year contract.
Houllier, who could take charge on Wednesday would like to have ex-Liverpool man Phil Thompson as his right-hand man, currently commentator at Sky Sports.



Faacking newspapers got in before me...