Aston Villa: Dr Jozef Venglos backs Houllier appointment at Villa

Sep 6 2010 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

GERARD Houllier’s impending Villa Park appointment has been given a ringing endorsement by the club’s first and only other foreign manager, Dr Jozef Venglos.

Houllier is likely to be unveiled as Martin O’Neill’s successor on Thursday rather than today or tomorrow as expected after a slight delay over the finer details of his role.

But Venglos, who was a pioneering pathfinder during his ill-fated spell in the claret and blue hotseat two decades ago, has given Houllier a glowing reference.  

The Czechoslovakian coach infamously struggled as Villa narrowly avoided relegation from the old First Division during his one year in charge in 1990-91. However, it has since been suggested that Dr Jo’s management methods were ahead of their time and paved the way for the influx of foreign coaches to the Premier League.

Venglos is confident Houllier and Villa will be a perfect match when the Frenchman officially becomes only the second overseas manager in the club’s history. His comments come as former Liverpool coach Houllier yesterday revealed for the first time that Villa are pursuing him, saying: ‘The club has taken this initiative’.

Venglos said: “I know Gerard very well – he’s a very good friend of mine.

“I am sure that Aston Villa and Gerard Houllier are right for each other.

“It is a very good, well-run football club and Gerard is an excellent, experienced coach so they will work well together.

“I am sure that he is a top personality in football and he has been doing the job of the technical director in French football.

“He has very good contacts, very good organisation and I know him well through my involvements with UEFA and FIFA.