Gerard Houllier favourite for Aston Villa job after talks
In 1988, Houllier took up a role at France’s National Technical Training Centre and the following year he was appointed Director for National Technical Direction.
He spent 10 years overhauling French football at various levels, playing a part in France winning the UEFA European U-18 Championship in 1996 and being credited for his contribution to their 1998 World Cup triumph on home soil.
Houllier is believed to have given Villa assurances that a return to the English top flight will not lead to the health problems he suffered during his time at Liverpool.
Lerner and his trusted lieutenant, chief executive Paul Faulkner, concluded the interview stage by talking to the final two candidates yesterday.
Although, Villa’s top brass already have clear idea of the frontrunner to succeed O’Neill, they will take the weekend to mull over the final decision.
There were suggestions the successful candidate could be unveiled as early as today, but there is now likely to be an announcement on Monday.
Speculation has raged about the identity of the would-be managers on Villa’s shortlist all week with Kevin MacDonald and Alan Curbishley two of the other known interviewees.
Meanwhile, one of the new manager’s first tasks should be to overhaul the club’s sub standard scouting system, according to ex-boss Graham Taylor.
O’Neill’s untimely departure also affected Villa’s transfer with chief scout Ian Storey-Moore following the former manager out of Villa Park.
“When I was on the board at Villa I asked the then manager, John Gregory, what he wanted, and how I could help,” said Taylor. “He said that Villa needed a better worldwide scouting system and I set about putting that in place for him.
“However, when I left it was not carried on. It’s the big area that is letting down Villa.
“I know Ian Storey-Moore, who was chief scout under O’Neill, and how the club operated.
“Villa did not take many players from abroad, it was mainly an English-based squad. That has to change. MacDonald and the board must never again be wide open to five senior members of the football staff leaving when the manager goes. It has wiped them out.”
