Houllier interview

[Red_Polo]

Ronnie Whelan was late 1980s

[RedReet]

.

[CJ]

Did that Swedish defender we had in the 80s not captain us at some point.

[Chazza]

Glenn Hysen?

[CJ]

That's the badger

My auntie saw him Shopping at Morrison's at Preston docks

True story.

[baitman]

I fully expect that if we win something major under Klopp he'll claim he helped by buying the cones that are still used at Melwood for training or something.

[dww]

I think a lot of the claiming influence on Rafa's successes is more a defense of his own reign. By the end a lot of people were casting it as bleak and him as bumbling. I think he goes to far in what he says at times but I think wanting to stake a claim for your legacy at a club you love seems like something many people would be guilty of.

[RichC]

I think that's a fair assessment, I remember towards the end I wanted hm to go. Looking back on his time as manager now though he did an awful lot of good and had a fair amount of success, the heart attack seemed to be the beginning of the end for him really.

[Buzzo]

Though some of the things he has claimed since have been a tad cringeworthy, he always seems a decent chap, and I agree, right up until his heart attack he was progressing the team really well winning trophies and creating a really decent team.

Understandably, he was never the same after he returned and further blew it with a few disastrous signings.

[Tee]

The style of football under him was diabolical, almost embarrassing at times, the worst in my living memory. Was delighted to see him go to be honest.

[dww]

I think that is coloured a lot by the end of his tenure. I don't think anyone thinks that continuing with him at the end of his time with us was a good idea.

[calvoboy]

Houllier did a fantastic job of transitioning us from the old-style "spice-boys" culture of the mid-90s (pass the pound on corners FFS) to a modern professional side. And, whatever anyone says, that treble winning season is still the best season as a whole that I've had as a fan - I was at all 3 finals, and we played some fantastic stuff that year, great counterattacking football.

It all went wrong with the heart problem, as others have said. Prior to that, I remember reading articles and interviews where he talked of how he investigated every signing in great detail, looking not just their playing ability but their mentality and focus. Even checking their family background if I remember correctly. Then that summer he'd not been able to do that during the season, and trusted the recommendation of others in France on Diouf, Diao and Cheyrou.

The rest's history, and I don't think anyone disagreed with the decision for him to leave in the end. He did a lot while he was here though and deserves respect for what he achieved.

[fah-q]

The end of his reign definitely was some of the worst football I've seen us play ever but not to take away how exciting the 2000/01 season was and also the season after when we finished 2nd.

[dww]

I think there were other issues than just the heart attack. We lost a lot of backroom staff and needed to evolve. For me the heart attack happened at a point when he needed a long hard look at what he was doing any way. It just prevented him from being in a position to fully concentrate on what needed to be done.

[Patricks_Berger]

It sounds incredibly easy, undoubtedly a full expense account and just travel around the globe watching footy and scribbling a few notes if you see some unknown kid have a half decent game.

Piece of ****ing cake.

I wonder if he's found them the next Djimi Traoure yet?