Houllier released from hospital - Get well soon from all at H&V

[Greg N'Ash]

good news that he's on the mend. Whatever he decides to do, i'm sure it will be an informed decision and will be made soon after the end of the season to give us time to get a new manager in or plan for the season ahead. I'm not sure him staying or leaving is exactly ideal either way. If he leaves we rip up the rebuilding plans he's made and start again, if he stays you'll always be wondering if he's going to have to quit mid-season or worse.

[Californian Villain]

The latest piece in the Guardian has a distinct "he's not coming back" slant to it.

The Guardian Said:

Gérard Houllier is expected to make a decision about his future at the end of the season but it looks increasingly likely that he will not be seen in frontline management again. The Aston Villa manager has been in hospital since last Wednesday, when he was admitted with chest pains, and although his condition has improved and he is set to be discharged within the next few days, there are major doubts about whether he will return to the dugout.

Gary McAllister, Houllier's assistant, will take charge of the team for the remaining four matches of the season, as the Frenchman undergoes a period of convalescence, which will initially be spent in bed at home. Mark Waller, Villa's club doctor, said that Houllier's heart is "working perfectly", although it has also emerged that the cause of his chest pains – a dissection of the descending aorta – is related to the major health scare he suffered in 2001, when he underwent 11 hours of open-heart surgery after being taken ill during his time as Liverpool manager.

Villa are in a difficult position. The club are understandably keen to avoid putting any pressure on the 63-year-old Frenchman, yet they also need to know whether he is likely to be in a position to continue in the long term. The club will wait until he has recovered before holding talks and, although McAllister has suggested the former Lyon manager will be desperate to come back, Houllier will be guided by the medical advice he receives.

In a statement released by the club on Tuesday night Houllier expressed his gratitude to those who have wished him well in his recovery. It is understood that the Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, who is a good friend, has been among his visitors. "I am extremely touched by all the messages I have received and by the reaction of people throughout the world of football. It has been overwhelming actually. I'm especially grateful to the Villa fans for their genuine concern and encouragement and to the fans of clubs up and down the country. There has been a groundswell of goodwill and I appreciate this so much.

"I'm grateful to my players for their texts and messages and, of course, for their efforts in extending our recent unbeaten run on Saturday against Stoke and also to Gary McAllister and the rest of my staff – the team behind the team – for stepping in and taking the reins at this time. I'm grateful, too, to my managerial colleagues who have taken the time to get in touch with me.

"You need to know that the care I have received at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital has been first-class and I am in the debt of the medical staff whose expertise and human touch has helped me through these past six days. My condition is improving and extremely encouraging. Dr Mark Waller, the club's doctor, is better placed to explain things from a medical viewpoint, so suffice to say again that I am very moved by the fact that so many people have me in their thoughts just now."

Waller said: "Gérard was admitted to hospital on Wednesday last week after complaining of chest pain. The cause of his chest pain was a dissection of the descending aorta. All the tests have confirmed that his heart is working perfectly. We are extremely encouraged by Gérard's improvement over the past six days and we now anticipate that he will be discharged from the coronary care unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital within the next three to four days."

[Matt Collins]

The guardian's more reliable than most. But I'm not sure what this story's based on other than the old news that the issue is related to his previous problems.

Having said that, what with the general's message I get the feeling we may need to find yet another new manager. Given that last time around we interviewed curbishley and eriksson, I can only hope we would cast the net more widely if we do need to look again. I'm hoping gerrard is able to return to work

[pauliewalnuts]

The guardian's more reliable than most. But I'm not sure what this story's based on other than the old news that the issue is related to his previous problems.

Having said that, what with the general's message I get the feeling we may need to find yet another new manager. Given that last time around we interviewed curbishley and eriksson, I can only hope we would cast the net more widely if we do need to look again. I'm hoping gerrard is able to return to work

Looking for a new manager at the start of the summer gives you much better options than trying to persuade them to leave their club in the first week of the season.

[Matt Collins]

True. But not many of the names floated fill me with great optimism. Motes and Benitez possibly the best, but I'm not sure either would come. Are we really that muchore attractive an option than everton? Only if randy promises to splash the cash again.

[nick harper]

The guardian's more reliable than most. But I'm not sure what this story's based on other than the old news that the issue is related to his previous problems.

Having said that, what with the general's message I get the feeling we may need to find yet another new manager. Given that last time around we interviewed curbishley and eriksson, I can only hope we would cast the net more widely if we do need to look again. I'm hoping gerrard is able to return to work

Looking for a new manager at the start of the summer gives you much better options than trying to persuade them to leave their club in the first week of the season.

If we do have to find a new manager, we are back to square one again though with the likelihood that we will have to have another season of consolidation.

Players who would have thought they were leaving may not now - targets for the Summer may not now be targets.

Obviously Gerard's health is the priority and I wish him well if he does choose to call it a day, but the club are in a really difficult position. Do they unravel everything he has put in place so far or do they try and find someone to build on those foundations? They need to be thinking about that now.

[andyh]

At least we know that Gerard will do the honourable thing and give Villa the maximum amount of time to find a replacement, if he has to make that very difficult decision (for him) to call it a day.

[VillaAlways]

Interesting interview on Talksport with top Cardiologist.Explains the seriousness of the condition and how he does not think Ged should return
http://http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/6966/2/exclusive-top-heart-doctor-recommends-houllier-retirement

[Mazrim]

I dont see what a Poker player knows about the medical situation. They should have sought the advice of a Hearticologist.

[Simon Ward]

Possibly out of hospital in the next 24 hours according to the o/s.

[spangley1812]

BBC Sports ticker shows

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier set to leave hospital in next 24 hours after favourable scan
 

[WikiVilla]

3 or 4 weeks of pottering round in the garden and he'll be gagging to get back into the thick of it hopefully

[Michel Sibble]

From BBC WM:

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier to leave hospital


Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier is expected to be discharged from hospital in Birmingham within the next 24 hours.

Caretaker boss Gary McAllister said the 63-year-old Frenchman had undergone a scan which was "favourable".

He said Houllier's condition was much better than had been expected when he was taken ill last week.

Houllier was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 20 April with chest pains.

In a statement he said he was touched by all the messages he had received and praised the care he had received at the hospital.
Consulted surgeon

Dr Mark Waller, the club doctor, said the manager's chest pain had been caused by a dissection of the descending aorta.

McAllister is expected to run the club's first team until the end of the Premier League season.

Houllier previously had major surgery after suffering heart-related problems in 2001 when he was manager of Liverpool.

When he arrived at Villa Park in September to succeed Martin O'Neill he revealed he had consulted his heart surgeon before accepting the job and was given a clean bill of health.

The club, who have been hovering around the relegation zone in recent weeks, said Houllier had their "total support".

It's clear he needs to step down, or he'll suffer another serious heart problem, with tragic consequences.
We want you alive and healthy.

[Phil from the upper holte]

We have to have a new manager there is no way around it now.

But who? Oh god I can't cope with this again

Lets await the shit list

[VillaZogmariner]

Released last night according to the OS.