Source: Telegraph
Gérard Houllier preaches a good sermon at Aston Villa but is unsure of first game
Houllier must disentangle himself from his long-term passion, the French Football Federation, before getting to grips with Aston Villa. [LNB]For all the Villa fans' frustration at Houllier's delayed start, they should realise it is a sign of the new man's calibre. The French Federation is playing hard-ball over his release because it doesn't want to lose a prized employee. [LNB] Related ArticlesAvram Grant won't be pushed off West Ham tightropeLampard to miss West Ham clashMancini shows faith in JoArsenal's new Invincible?Carroll's head start in mastering striker's artSport on televisionHoullier's deep knowledge of the game and engaging personality were inescapable on Friday. [LNB]He talked of "aiming for the moon'' with the club, of his "great pride'' at being asked to oversee the fortunes of former European Cup-winners. [LNB]Sitting yards from an empty Holte End, the distinguished Frenchman talked of his admiration for Villa's "vocal support''. [LNB]A well-respected member of Uefa's technical cadre, the coach who steered Liverpool to the Uefa Cup, FA Cup and League Cup enjoys a well-earned reputation for making good players better. [LNB]Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have readily testified to that. A paternalistic man-manager, Houllier is not shy at delivering rollockings. Gerrard and Carragher will again attest to that. [LNB]Villa have appointed well but his arrival has undeniably been awkwardly handled. He has yet to sign his contract even. [LNB]"Not yet, no,'' replied Houllier. "But it's a formality. For me, the word is more important than what is signed. I still have to sort things out with the French Federation. They could have said you have to work three months [notice]. [LNB]"I couldn't get back for the Stoke game [on Monday when Kevin MacDonald will be in charge]. I have several important things to do meeting with [French] championship managers on Monday. I apologise for that. [LNB]"You understand I'm the head of the national coaches, the regional coaches. The season has started, the work is underway. [LNB]"To me, the earliest would be the Bolton game [Sept 18], not in charge, but there. Even the Wolves game [Sept 26]) I can't promise. [LNB]"All I can tell you is that I will come. At some stage I will be here. The other thing is that if I don't do the three months maybe I have to go the odd day.'' [LNB]Adding to the uncertainty, Houllier is still looking for a No 2. [LNB]"Patrice Bergues won't come for family reasons,'' he said. "Kevin prefers to go back to his job as reserve-team manager. I understand why Phil Thompson could not come, he is working for Sky. It is because of his family.'' [LNB]Houllier rejected the idea that some of the Villa players had issues with him from their Liverpool days. "No, no problems. Stephen Warnock was too young and don't forget Brad Friedel had to leave for work permit reasons.'' [LNB]His old Lyons striker, John Carew, received praise as "an outstanding talent, extremely skilful, can change a game''. [LNB]A fistful of short-term negatives aside, there are plenty of long-term positives to Houllier's appointment. Like Martin O'Neill, Houllier will accelerate the development of the younger players. [LNB]"If you look at some of the players I had at Liverpool, they made some progress. One of them [Michael Owen] won the Ballon d'Or.'' [LNB]Villa have plenty of English players and Houllier emphasised his admiration for the breed. [LNB]"English players haven't fallen behind technically. Not any more. You have to be careful when you judge players, when you sometimes say the English are not so technical. [LNB]"The English do things at a higher speed than anywhere else in the world. If you play at 60mph, you are more comfortable technically than if you play at 100mph. But in England you play more often at 100mph. [LNB]"You need to keep that and also be a bit slower at times. This is what the foreign input has brought to the English game. You can't say the English are bad. [LNB]The national team are proving at the moment they can play.'' Gerrard's performance in Basel on Tuesday confirmed that. [LNB]It was on the midfielder's previous visit to St Jakob-Park, in the 2002 Champions League, that Houllier questioned his dedication, accusing Gerrard of believing his publicity. Carragher also received a lecture from Houllier about his refuelling habits. [LNB]Reminded of those incidents on Friday, Houllier delivered a homily which certain members of the Professional Footballers Association should absorb. [LNB]"This is a job which is very exacting you play only 10 years, sometimes a little bit more,'' said Houllier. [LNB]"For 10 years you have to live for the job and not use the job to get the lifestyle. A player has got 10 years to devote his time and his energy, his diet and rest for the job. [LNB]It doesn't mean he can't go out. He's not a monk. But the main thing is to get focused. [LNB]"Hard work helps. I had some players who were not so good with their right or left foot, so I said 'stay after training and do a bit more'. [LNB]Initially, they said: 'No, no, no, it's OK'. But in two weeks' time they said: 'Can we do a bit more of that.' It helped so much that sometimes it helps you to win a trophy. We are all aware that the mentalities of the players have changed. [LNB]The egos are sometimes bigger. From an early age they are practically superstars and it can be difficult to keep them on track.'' Sermon over, Houllier had a message for the Villa fans. [LNB]"We are in this together. Their support is fundamental. We play for the fans. Our aim is to give them pleasure, to make sure they have a style that's entertaining. [LNB]"We want more people watching games. I've yet to meet anyone who says Aston Villa are not a good club. Let's try to make Villa a great club.'' [LNB]When he finally arrives, Houllier must be given time and patience. [LNB]
