Houllier exits Lyon post
26 May 2007 - 08:07:00
Lyon coach and former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has quit the French champions, having recently been linked with the vacant Manchester City job.
Houllier took charge of Lyon in May 2005 and guided the club to successive titles, as they made it a record six league crowns in a row.
He told reporters of his decision to step down: "For a number of reasons I have decided to leave.
"I've lived two exceptional years here which, in many ways, reminded me of the six years I spent at Liverpool.
"Lyon has a new project over three years with a new stadium. I didn't feel like getting involved for another three years.
"I'm proud of what we have achieved over the past two years. This club has improved and belongs with the best in Europe."
Houllier was in charge at Anfield between the summer of 1998 and the end of the 2003-04 campaign, with his most notable achievement a treble of FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup success in 2000-01.
The 59-year-old was linked with Newcastle United before the Magpies appointed Sam Allardyce, but the Citizens are still on the lookout for a replacement for Stuart Pearce.
