Source: Daily_Mail
Gerard Houllier: Liverpool legacy means Kop will welcome me back with open arms
Gerard Houllier will return to Anfield on Monday night with his head held high, convinced he left a lasting legacy that has helped grow the club. [LNB]After six years in charge during which he won an historic cup treble in 2001 - and added a further League Cup triumph to that two seasons later - Aston Villa's anager remains comfortable with his contribution on Merseyside. [LNB]With a second-placed finish in the Premier League to boot, Houllier can claim with justification that he brought a degree of success to a club that is still the most decorated in English football. [LNB] Then and now: Houllier with Steven Gerrard in 2004 and as Aston Villa boss[LNB] And even though his reign ended amid recriminations that his negative tactics and unattractive style were no longer taking the Reds forwards - and that a series of questionable signings didn't offer value - Houllier is convinced he did a good job. [LNB]'I always think the mission of any manager is three-fold,' he said, 'first you need to win a trophy and silverware - so we did that. [LNB]'The second is to leave a legacy. To that, I would just use my former chairman's words. He said: "You took the club into the 21st century," which it maybe needed at that time. [LNB]'The other part of that is the team itself. With the side that was left, Rafa (Benitez) won the Champions League the following year. That in itself means we finished in a position to play in the Champions League. Allied to that I would say we had a new style of professionalism. [LNB] Left his mark: Houllier's Liverpool won an historic cup treble in 2001[LNB]'The third mission is to make your players improve. Michael Owen wonthe Ballon d'Or, Steven Gerrard is a world-class international, and allthe others - whether it's Danny Murphy, Emile Heskey, Stephane Henchozor Sami Hyypia - they all did well and became better.'[LNB] A heart problem during a match against Leeds and the subsequent issues surrounding it in 2001 caused a hiatus in Houllier's reign from which the club never recovered. [LNB]And when the club's boss departed three years later, he appeared to be losing his way. Several players of dubious quality had been signed and the Reds seemed no nearer ending their title drought. However, he is hoping that Anfield remembers the good times. [LNB]'I know the fans will welcome me,' he said. 'I'm sure they will because we had a close relationship and we worked together because the fans are part of the team. [LNB] In danger: After suffering defeat to Birmingham last weke Villa are only two places above the relegation zone, andHoullier admits the club must be careful[LNB]'I know they contributed to the success that we had. You spent sixyears at a club and managed to get several trophies, significant piecesof silverware and a European Cup semi-final. [LNB]'I think they will remember that. They remember and the fans in Liverpool when I went back to work with television were always full of cheerful hospitality. [LNB]'They gave me enough joy not to have regret. I had a good period with them. You know when you see them continue to do extremely well, you feel happy for them."'[LNB]However, Houllier returns with Villa dangerously close to the relegation zone. He admitted that the club would have to be 'careful' not to slip into danger. [LNB]He added: 'Our football is good. It needs to improve in the final third and be more clinical and we also need to eradicate some stupid, schoolboy errors which cost goals. [LNB]'But our supporters, while they appreciate the football, will not be happy that we are not picking up the points. We need to improve in certain areas and when we do, I think the return in points will pick up too.'[LNB] PHIL THOMPSON EXCLUSIVE: I'll always love Gerard but he'll Kop it on returnHoullier: I spotted Ronaldo before United, but Liverpool said no to dealEXCLUSIVE: Kop shop! Liverpool line up £10m deal for Ipswich teenager WickhamLiverpool skipper Pepe Reina targets three points against Villa [LNB] Explore more:People: Emile Heskey, Danny Murphy, Michael Owen, Gerard Houllier, Steven Gerrard Places: Liverpool, Leeds
