Houllier departs Reds

Houllier departs Liverpool after six years in charge

14 April 2012

Gerard Houllier's six-year reign as Liverpool boss officially ended today after the Frenchman agreed to step down from the Anfield hot-seat by "mutual consent".

The news brings to an end weeks of speculation that the Frenchman's time at Anfield was drawing to a close.

Houllier's departure was announced on the club's website www.liverpoolfc.tv.
Chairman David Moores and his board did not give 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 behind third-placed Manchester United.

Houllier won five trophies in 2001 and won the League Cup for a second time in 2003, but failed to return the club to the past glories of the 1970s and 1980s.

Several names have been touted to replace the Frenchman, with Charlton's Alan Curbishley, Valencia title winning coach Rafael Benitez and Celtic boss Martin O'Neill all among the front runners.

Houllier insisted he would take many great memories away with him from Anfield, where he has been manager since 1998.

"I arrived here six years ago as a Liverpool supporter and I leave as an even bigger supporter," he said.

"I may have left Liverpool, but Liverpool will not leave me. I will return to watch the team as a fan.

"I have four special memories that I take away with me," the Frenchman told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"Michael Owen scoring the winner against Arsenal with his left foot [in the FA Cup final], Gary McAllister being handed the Man of the Match award against Alaves [in the UEFA Cup], the mosaic when I was recovering from heart surgery and Steven Gerrard taking his daughter around the pitch on the last day of the season."

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