Former France and Liverpool coach Gerard Houllier dies age 73

Houllier managed Liverpool for six years and also had a spell at Aston Villa during his managerial career

In this file photo taken on May 20, 2001 Liverpool's French coach Gerard Houllier, second right, defender Sami Hyypia, left, striker Robbie Fowler and Steven Gerrard, second right, show off their three trophies from an open top bus during a parade through the city of Liverpool. AFP

Liverpool's manager Gerard Houllier gives instructions to his players during a training session in Vigo on November 23, 1998 in preparation for their Uefa Cup match against Celta Vigo. EPA

Signing the 35-year-old Gary McAllister, left, particular dividends in their 2001 Uefa Cup triumph, clinched 5-4 against Alaves in the final. EPA

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier and players celebrate after winning the Uefa Cup final against Deportivo Alaves at the Westfalen Stadium in Dortmund on Wednesday, 16 May 2001. EPA

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier holds aloft the Charity Shield at The Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, 12 August 2001. EPA

Michael Owen and Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, at the 10 year anniversary of the contract between Carlsberg and Liverpool F.C. Action Images

In this file photo taken on March 2, 2003 Liverpool's French manager Gerard Houllier holds the cup aloft celebrating victory over Manchester United in the Worthington cup final at the Millenium stadium in Cardiff. Ex-Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has died at the age of 73, it was announced on December 14, 2020. AFP

Liverpool coach Gerard Houllier addresses a press conference in Liverpool on December 11, 2002. EPA

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier celebrates victory in the 2001 FA Cup final over Arsenal played at the Millennium Stadium, in Cardiff, Wales. Liverpool won the match 2-1. Allsport

In this file photo taken on August 19, 1993 France's national football team players pose for the official family photo in Clairefontaine (Top from left) Alain Roche, Jean-Luc Dogon, David Ginola, coach Philippe Bergeroo, Franck Sauzee, Laurent Blanc, Eric Cantona and Emmanuel Petit; (second row from left) head coach Aime Jacquet, Bruno Martini, Basile Boli, Paul Le Guen, Marcel Desailly, Jean Michel Ferri, Pascal Vahirua, Bernard Lama, Henri Emile; (bottom from left) Franck Sylvestre, Reynald Pedros, Jean-Pierre Papin, coach Gerard Houllier, Corentin Martins, Bixente Lizarazu and Didier Deschamps. AFP

Gerard Houllier during his nine-month spell as manager of Aston Villa on January 8, 2011. Getty Images

Gerard Houllier after winning the Ligue 1 title with Lyon in April 2007. Reuters

Gerard Houllier won the FA Cup, two League Cups, and the 2001 Uefa Cup as Liverpool manager. Empics

Gerard Houllier alongside then Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Reuters

Gerard Houllier's last managerial position was with Aston Villa in 2010/11. AFP

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier poses with the trophy after the Worthington Cup Final victory over Manchester United on March 2, 2003 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Getty Images

Gerard Houllier spent a short spell as France national team manager in 1992/93 Getty Images

Gerard Houllier on his appointment as Aston Villa manager on September 10, 2010. Getty Images

Gerard Houllier of Aston Villa looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Birmingham City and Aston Villa at St Andrews on January 16, 2011 in Birmingham, England. Getty Images

Gerard Houllier holds the Uefa Cup after Liverpool's 5-4 victory over Alaves in the 2011 final in Dortmund, Germany. Getty Images

Gerard Houllier, Red Bull Head of Global Football arrives for day 2 of the Soccerex Global Convention 2016 at Manchester Central Convention Complex in Manchester, England. Getty Images

Gerard Houllier during his time as Aston Villa boss. Getty Images

Aston Cilla manager Gerard Houllier, left, alongside new signing Darren Bent on January 18, 2011. Getty Images

Gerard Houllier speaks during an interview at the SPORTEL Monaco 2017 at the Grimaldi Forum on October 23, 2017 in Monaco. Getty Images

In this file photo taken on May 27, 2007 Lyon's coach Gerard Houllier holds the Ligue 1 title. AFP

In this file photo taken on October 16, 2005 Lyon's Brazilian midfielder Pernambucano Juninho celebrates with his coach French Gerard Houllier after he scoring during the French Ligue 1 match against Ajaccio at Gerland Stadium in Lyon. AFP

In this file photo taken on May 27, 2007 Lyon 's outgoing coach Gerard Houllier flanked by forward Karim Benzema after securing a sixth successive Ligue 1 title. AFP

Former France and Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier died on Monday at age 73.

RMC Sport and French sports daily L'Equipe said Houllier had died after having a heart operation in Paris.

RMC Sport said it is "saddened to learn of the death of Gerard Houllier, who passed away during the night, at the age of 73. Our thoughts are with all those close to him."

Houllier managed Liverpool for six years from 1998 and guided the Reds to a historic treble of FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup in 2001.

"We are mourning the passing of our treble-winning manager, Gerard Houllier. The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Gerard’s family and many friends," a message on Liverpool's Twitter account said.

He also coached at Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon in his homeland before his final managerial assignment in England with Aston Villa was terminated in 2011.

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, who scored two goals to win the 2001 FA Cup final against Arsenal when Houllier was in charge, was among many leading figures in English football to pay tribute to the Frenchman.

Owen wrote on Twitter: "Absolutely heartbroken to hear that my old boss, Gerard Houllier, has sadly passed away. A great manager and a genuinely caring man. #RIPBoss".

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: "Absolutely devastated by the news about Gerard Houllier, I was in touch with him only last month to arrange him coming to Liverpool.

"Loved that man to bits, he changed me as a person & as a player & got @LFC back winning trophies. RIP Boss."

After an unheralded playing career in France's lower leagues, Houllier began coaching in 1973, earning his first big job with Lens before taking over at Paris Saint-Germain.

He became France's assistant coach in 1988 and then manager in 1992 but had a short, unsuccessful spell in charge.

He resigned after failing to take the team to the 1994 World Cup in the United States following shock home defeats by Israel and Bulgaria, losing the latter game, which they only needed to draw to qualify, 2-1 after a goal in added time.

Houllier initially arrived at Anfield in July 1998, joining the club as co-manager with Roy Evans.

Evans resigned on November 10, leaving Houllier in sole charge, from where he rebuilt a side that had been labelled the "Spice Boys" by UK media known as much for their lifestyles off the pitch as their skills on it.

Under the Frenchman's guidance the Reds became a more rounded unit which culminated in an unprecedented five trophies in 2001, with the Charity Shield and Uefa Super Cup also secured.

In October that year, Houllier underwent emergency heart surgery after falling ill on the bench during a Premier League fixture against Leeds United.

He returned to the dugout after five months, and with the help of assistant Phil Thompson, led the club to a second place finish in the 2001/02 season.

Houllier left Liverpool in 2004, having also overseen an overhaul of the club's youth system, being replaced by Rafa Benitez.

He returned to France to take over at perennial Ligue 1 champions Lyon, guiding them to back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007

In September 2008 Aston Villa appointed Houllier as manager after Martin O'Neill resigned the previous month.

However, Houllier's spell at Villa Park was cut short due to illness, forcing him to step down from his role after just nine months.

Former Villa and England striker Darren Bent wrote on Twitter: "R.I.P Boss, You will be missed. Could not speak highly enough of you, not just as a manager but as a person as well. Taught me to see things Differently. Condolences to the Houllier family."