Liverpool FC Forum

by **whitehouse** » Mon May 24, 2004 9:19 am

HOULLIER ON THE BRINK
Monday 24th May 2004

Gerard Houllier's time as Liverpool manager could be coming to an end as speculation continues to grow that he faces the Anfield axe.
A defiant Houllier has insisted that it is business as usual despite mounting speculation over his position at the helm.

Although he finished fourth and secured UEFA Champions League football for next season, it has still been a disappointing season for The Reds and the lack of public support from the board has looked to be an ominous sign.

Many reports have suggested that chairman David Moores will finally end Houllier's six-year stay at the club as early as Monday, after reportedly coming to the final decision over the weekend.

Some fans believe Houllier has taken the club as far as he can, and he will be given the opportunity to step down from his position.

The Frenchman has enjoyed happier times at Anfield, winning five trophies in 2001, adding the Community Shield and European Super Cup to the FA, League and Uefa Cup's won during a thrilling season.

He has failed to land the league title though, and the last couple of seasons has seen Liverpool finish further behind the leading pack - with them 15 points behind Manchester United and a full 30 below champions Arsenal.

Should Houllier depart Anfield, and whole host of names are in the frame for the Liverpool hot-seat.

Porto's Jose Mourinho and Valencia boss Rafael Benitez head the foreign contingent, while Alan Curbishley and Sam Allardyce are men who many want to see be given the chance to manage a big club.

Celtic's Martin O'Neill has been linked with the job for some time, while Gordon Strachan is a new name to enter into the reckoning - while Reds legend Kenny Dalglish is being touted for some boardroom role, possibly as a spokesman.

Meanwhile, the proposed investment of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra may be concluded one way or the other on Wednesday.

"There will be a few days of negotiations after which we will know the result and the team will come back on Wednesday - whether we buy the stake or not," Shinawatra told reporters on Monday.

by **Sean** » Mon May 24, 2004 9:24 am

Announcement is due at 12.00 today according to BBC Sport.

Seán

by **whitehouse** » Mon May 24, 2004 9:26 am

the next 2 and half hours gonna feel like a liftime then lol

by **anfieldadorer** » Mon May 24, 2004 9:36 am

Houllier set for high noon departure
Monday, May 24, 2004

Liverpool are expected to announce Gerard Houllier's departure from the club at midday today, according to reports. The Reds will announce a public parting of the ways, but are sure not to describe Houllier's exit as a sacking, according to the BBC. Chairman David Moores and his board have not given public backing to the manager after he achieved the 'minimum requirement' of Champions League qualification by finishing fourth.

The Reds trailed Premiership champions Arsenal by 30 points and were 15 points behind third-placed Manchester United. Houllier won five trophies in 2001 and won the League Cup for a second time in 2003, but has failed to return the club to the past glories of the 1970s and 1980s. The Frenchman insisted at the weekend that he was 100% certain'' to remain in charge at Anfield, even though fourth place was deemed to be the minimum requirement of chairman David Moores.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, Charlton's highly-rated Alan Curbishley and Valencia coach Rafael Benitez have all been reported as contenders to succeed Houllier.

by **LFC #1** » Mon May 24, 2004 9:46 am

Mourinho is tempted by Anfield's top job May 24 2004

By David Prior Daily Post Staff

LIVERPOOL could steal Porto manager Jose Mourinho from under the noses of Chelsea if they decide to end Gerard Houllier's six-year reign at Anfield.

Chairman David Moores, returning from a holiday in Scotland, is expected to meet Houllier this week with a statement to follow from the club on the manager's fate.

Houllier was reported as claiming he was still "100% sure" of his future at Liverpool, describing suggestions he was about to leave as "a load of rubbish", in the French newspaper 'L'Equipe' over the weekend, although once source has suggested these did not come from a new interview.

However Houllier insisted on his return to Melwood last week that it was "business as usual", even though Liverpool have still yet to publically support their manager and end the fever-pitch speculation over his future. Last night no-one was available to comment on suggestions the 56-year-old may already have lost his job.

Should Houllier's term come to an end, Mourinho, Valencia coach Rafael Benitez and Charlton's Alan Curbishley are high on Liverpool's shortlist. Former Southampton manager Gordon Strachan's name was thrown into the frame over the weekend.

Benitez last night insisted that he had not been approached by Liverpool over the manager's position against a background of reports suggesting club officials had visited Spain.

He said: "I know nothing about this story. I am under contract at Valencia and I have already started preparing for next season. I am going to England this summer, but with Valencia for pre-season."

However, the former Tenerife boss who led Valencia to a league and cup double this season, admitted he was flattered and did not rule out the possibility of coaching in England at a later date.

"It would be nice to lead one of the historic English clubs," he continued. "But at this time I am only thinking about Valencia, especially after the season we have had."

Mourinho, who on Wednesday will lead his side out in the Champions League final against Monaco, has been widely linked with Claudio Ranieri's position at Chelsea. However, he is believed to favour a move to Liverpool and is known to be concerned by Roman Abramovich's inclination to involve himself in team affairs.

His admiration for the Anfield club is on record.

"Liverpool are a team that interests everyone," he said.

"Chelsea does not interest me so much because it is a new project with lots of money invested in it. I think it is a project which, if the club fail to win anything, then Abramovich could retire and take the money out of the club."

Mourinho is a coach known to be attracted only by large financial resources so ultimately his interest in any approach from Liverpool could depend on their ability to deal at the top end of the transfer market.

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