Aston Villa: Gerard Houllier's family need convincing about Premier League return for ex-Liverpool FC boss

Sep 4 2010 By Mat Kendrick

GERARD Houllier is weighing up whether to kickstart a French revolution at Villa Park as the club’s new manager, according to sources in France.

As revealed in yesterday’s Birmingham Mail, Houllier has emerged as Randy Lerner’s first choice to replace Martin O’Neill in the claret and blue hotseat.

And sources in his native France say the former Liverpool boss is now contemplating whether to return to the Premier League after a six-year absence.

However, Houllier is having to reassure his family that he is well enough to return to the pressure-cooker of the English top flight after well-documented health problems.

He had major surgery in 2001 after suffering a heart attack during his Anfield reign and his wife Isabelle has previously being opposed to him managing again in the Premier League.

But the timing of the Villa job could be ideal for Houllier who is currently having to deal with the fall-out from his home nation’s catastrophic World Cup campaign.

France crashed out in the group stages in South Africa and during the inquest Houllier has received some of the flak in his role as Les Bleus’ technical director.

The 63-year-old will be in England today when he returns to Liverpool for Jamie Carragher’s testimonial against an Everton XI at Anfield this afternoon.

And Houllier is expected to be unveiled as the claret and blues’ new boss early next week if he gives Lerner a positive response over the weekend.

“This could be a good time for Gerard to return to the Premier League because there are problems with French football at the moment and he has taken some of the blame,” said a source in France.

“There have been lots of concerns about his health, including from his wife, and whether he could cope with the pressure of the Premier League again on a day to day basis.