Houllier confirmed as new manager. Press Conference p22

[john2710]

Welcome Gerard, hopefully this is the dawn of a new exciting era in our history. I believe he will lift the air of discontent which, despite our moderate success over the last few seasons, has been hanging over the club. Under the circumstances this is a good / safe appointment.

With regard to the assistant manager, again I think we need someone experience of coaching at Premiership level. Steve Staunton was a fine player & carried us for a couple of years but I have doubts after his experience with Ireland, which came far too early after his playing career ended. Saw him at Dublin airport a couple of weeks ago with his kids who were wearing Villa tops.

[Arsey]

Out of curiosity, did Collymore mention who he thought should have the manager's job, or was he too busy defending MON to say?

iirc his 3 originally were

Moyes
McLeish
and Jol?

[glasses]

Welcome Gerard. Not an immediate choice of mine, but then I also don't think this is a bad appointment at all. Just glad the circus has ended and we can get down to business. Thankfully he is inheriting a bloody good squad of players, and hopefully some supportive fans who give him a fair crack.

[mr woo]

Out of curiosity, did Collymore mention who he thought should have the manager's job, or was he too busy defending MON to say?

iirc his 3 originally were

Moyes
McLeish
and Jol?

Moyes - was denied permission to speak to us by Everton
Jol- Decided to stay at Ajax
McLeish - Ginger

So go on Stan - who else?

[hawkeye]

its not the most exciting appointment but when you look at it in the context of the situation we are in its a bloody good shot at it, I wish the bloke the very best, there is big job to be done, we are going to be in a phase of transition but we could come out of this pertiod a lot stronger

[Guy M]

Bof! (basically a French equivalent of "meh!" and pretty much sums up how I feel about the whole situation)

Bonne chance, Gerard!

[pauliewalnuts]

its not the most exciting appointment but when you look at it in the context of the situation we are in its a bloody good shot at it, I wish the bloke the very best, there is big job to be done, we are going to be in a phase of transition but we could come out of this pertiod a lot stronger

Well said, Hawkeye.

[willywombat]

Really pleased with this now it's all done and dusted. Good luck Gerard, welcome to the best club in the world

[Irreverent ad]

Wow just heard Collymore speak absolute tripe on talksport. How is is a bad appointment, how we only gave a 2 year contract (even though his fave manager MON only had a 1 year deal).

Also saying that we should be looking at Birmingham City, Stoke and Sunderland as these are the teams we are competing with.

What a twat!

He's not a twat at all.

I don't agree with his opinion about Houllier, but Collymore is not a twat mate.

Sorry..I should change that.

In MY OPINION Stan Collymore is a woman beating, talent wasting, dirty dogging twat!!!

Any better?

[TheSandman]

Bof! (basically a French equivalent of "meh!" and pretty much sums up how I feel about the whole situation)

Bonne chance, Gerard!

Just about the one word I remember from those long and boring hours in the French class rooms!

Well that and merde.

[hawkeye]

its not the most exciting appointment but when you look at it in the context of the situation we are in its a bloody good shot at it, I wish the bloke the very best, there is big job to be done, we are going to be in a phase of transition but we could come out of this pertiod a lot stronger

Well said, Hawkeye.

cheers mate, it reminds me of a thread asking are we in a stronger or weaker position than last season, i have to say that if you gave me the option of 4th in the league, some exciting prospects coming through and a manager GH with his experience, CV, ideas about the game, i happy to take that over another season of MONs limitations and ideosyncracies

[mozza]

Anyone notice the statement from Mr Faulkner requesting the fans to support
the new manager and team ?.................what does he expect us to do (till Xmas anyway)

Welcome to Aston Villa Mr Houllier - I hope you give us 'amazing fans' something to cheer-

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Patrice Bergues as assistant.

So in a way, we also got Martin Jol. Absolute double.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

On a more serious note, Patrice Bergues sounds fantastic.
Very interesting comments here from the Red Scouse..

Houllier was strong willed and would stick to his game plan as he was the man with the plan.
All was set to change however when someone offered Houllier's right hand man a dream job.
When Patrice Bergues left Anfield he took with him a major part of the 5 year plan because he understood what Houllier wanted and had the quiet determination to deliver it. Bergues really was and still is a fantastic coach with tremendous defensive knowledge. Houllier relied on him to deliver the goods via his purchases and took Bergues advice on almost everything.
Houllier has tried to replace him but to no avail and without such skill and knowledge Houllier is only half the manager he could have claimed to be.
Houllier needs to be surrounded by experts and talent as he was at the French F.A. but at Liverpool he has the will but not the way.
Whilst Bergues went on to take little Lens to 2nd (on the last day of the season having been top for several months) in the French League, Houllier hasn't been up to his job.
Perhaps the only thing that could save Houllier's image would be to bring Patrice back......but that wont happen.

http://forums.thisisanfield.com/archive/index.php/t-2214.html

[Villa'Zawg]

Build on last season, win 3 extra cup ties and a couple more league games, we should be up and running.

It's a new era, bring it on.