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

[spangley1812]

Taken from BBC sport website...........

Gary McAllister said Aston Villa will cope with Gerard Houllier's absence from the club while the Frenchman recovers from a heart problem.

Manager Houllier, 63, left hospital on Thursday night, eight days after being admitted with chest pains.

He is almost certain not to return to Villa in an active role this season.

"It would be better if Gerard was here, but everything is in place for things to move on," stated assistant boss McAllister, who is in temporary charge.

"All these things that from the outside we seem to have to deal with over the next few weeks, we've been looking through already.

"Whether it be attracting new players, or players coming to the end of their contract, a lot of decisions have already been made."

Scot McAllister, 46, added: "I agree with people who say the upheaval is unneeded but as a group we've become very close with the chairman [Randy Lerner] and chief executive [Paul Faulkner].

"There is a plan to move forward which is already there.

"As much as it would be ideal if Gerard was here, it can be done from his home because we're down the line on a few things.

"I don't have to give anything away, but I'm talking about people that might want to come here, people we want to try and attract here, people that want to stay, people that might have to find a club.

"We know the positions where we are strong but we also know where we need to strengthen. It's ongoing and you've got to be like that, you've got to be prepared to go into the market and get these deals through."

A significant question mark still remains over whether Houllier will return at all given his medical history - he underwent major heart surgery in 2001 while in charge of Liverpool.

McAllister said he was certain Houllier would come back, although he insisted there was "no rush" for the manager to make a decision over his future.

And the Scot added that the decision will be made "after he speaks to friends, family and people he respects but, most importantly, the doctors".

"I'm sure he'll be recovering over here where there will be people on hand to deal with any queries," McAllister added.

"If he's given the green light to go and gets some warmer weather if it helps, I don't know. He'll be guided by the experts."

[JUAN PABLO]

Id like to see a Moyes/houlier now.    I noticed Moyes has spent about £12 million a year at Everton , which isnt alot.  I think Houlier could still get us some exciting signing , I mean , I love him just for Darren Bent .. So Move him upstairs , get his mate in Moyes , fook off Gmac ..     I wouldnt have been keen for a few mths ago but Hughes,Benitez or Alladaryce , no thanks...      Moyes needs a change and we would be hard to beat , as he brings a fighting spirit with me..  I heard they would let Moyes go , If they got MON..    would be interesting then .... 

[Legion]

Health and family wishes permitting, I'd personally like to see Houllier stay on.

[JUAN PABLO]

I would Legion . He desreves another season but if is health is not up to it , instead of losing him completely . I would bring his mate in to work with him.    It could work , a relaxed Houlier looking for players with the passionate Moyes.. 

[JUAN PABLO]

I watched MON on the TV last night by the way ,   I didnt realise how much I hated him until I saw his face again ..

[VillaZogmariner]

"Whether it be attracting new players, or players coming to the end of their contract, a lot of decisions have already been made."

I do like the idea that things are already in place for the summer already in terms of who we want in and out.

[Tom_Mc9?]

I'd like him to stay too. People who are saying it would be nice for him to move upstairs are being a bit idealistic I think. It rarely works - managers like to do their own thing, not be told by others who they should sign. I can't think of many examnples where it has worked.

[Risso]

Best if he retires, then we get the sort of boss we should have appointed in the summer.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

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

Andre Villas Boas, the Porto manager would be my choice - he might just be the next Mourinho, although he'd be the first Villa manager to be younger than me.

But there are some other respectable options without a job this time - Benitez or Jol alone are better than any of the options we were discussing in August.

[achilles]

McAllister said he was certain Houllier would come back, although he insisted there was "no rush" for the manager to make a decision over his future.

I do not agree with this statement, as I feel a decision definitely needs to be made by the end of the season (although McAllister may mean that)! We must not be in a state of 'limbo' in the summer not knowing whether GH is in a fit state to be our manager.

[WikiVilla]

He will be back, stop panicking

[JUAN PABLO]

Boas, no chance.

[mozza]

Whilst I wish Gerard a speedy & full recovery from his recent setback we shouldn't
let it cloud our judgement on the man as the manager for Aston Villa -

Remembering how long it took for him to take up his post I trust the same won't
happen with regard to deciding his future and more importantly that of Aston Villa-

Heart specialist I'm not but I know that you can expect running around like a 'spring
chicken' which is what Premier managers are expected to do ( I concede that
Fergie & Hodgson don't support this theory) -

[KevinGage]

"Whether it be attracting new players, or players coming to the end of their contract, a lot of decisions have already been made."

I do like the idea that things are already in place for the summer already in terms of who we want in and out.

Personally I don't find that particularly encouraging. Any potential new manager will have his own ideas -even if GH stays on in some capacity- and might feel that (a) he can get more out of players GH was keen to ditch and (b) might feel that GH's transfer targets aren't compatible with his ideas.

Unless we're getting a complete patsy as manager, a nodding dog who just agrees with everything GH says. That would be the worst outcome out of all possible scenarios (short of GH's health deteriorating further of course).

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Step forward Gary MacAllister.