Houllier to meet FFF over Villa role
September 07, 2010 13:40:51 UK
Gerrard Houllier is set to meet French Football Federation president Fernando Duchaussoy tomorrow amid reports that he will become Aston Villa's new manager.
Duchaussoy will speak to the former Liverpool and Lyon boss when he returns from France's Euro 2012 qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sarajevo tonight.
Betting for the encounter has France at 2.40 to win in 90 minutes, with Bosnia-Herzegovina 3.00 and the draw 3.20.
Houllier, who currently holds the position of technical director of French football, is expected to confirm he wants to return to English football and become Martin O'Neill's successor at Villa Park.
"I will meet Wednesday to take stock of the situation with him [Houllier], I'll ask him," Duchaussoy told reporters.
"I would like to continue working with him."
Houllier, 63, is set to join Villa as manager rather than in a director of football-type position and could be in charge of the team before their next Premier League engagement which sees the side make the trip to play Stoke on Monday 13th September.
Full Time Result betting for that match has Villa at 2.87 to get the away win, with Stoke at 2.50 and the draw 3.25.
Villa are believed to want caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald to stay involved in the first team set-up in a coaching role.
But the former Liverpool player will have the final say on whether he wants this sort of involvement or would prefer instead to return to being in charge of the reserve team.
Houllier is said to have created a favourable impression on Villa owner Randy Lerner after being interviewed by the American multi-millionaire.
Houllier left Anfield six years ago and has been employed as France's technical director since leaving Lyon in 2007.
He enjoyed considerable initial success with the Reds and led them to a UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup treble in 2001.
Villa believe he has the reputation and CV to keep Villa on an upward curve after three successive top-six finishes in the Barclays Premier League.
Before he moved to Liverpool, the Frenchman also enjoyed title success with Paris St Germain and spent a decade overseeing the development of French football.
Former West Ham boss Alan Curbishley and MacDonald have also been interviewed for the post by Lerner and Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner.
Aston Villa are currently 1213.00 to finish in the top four of the Barclays Premier League 2010/11.
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