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November 15
Houllier: I knew something was wrong
TEAMtalk
Gerard Houllier has revealed that he was aware something was wrong two months before undergoing his recent life-saving surgery.
Speaking for the first time since being taken critically ill during Liverpool's Premiership clash with Leeds United at Anfield on October 13, the Reds boss admitted that he was aware that his devotion to the cause was having ill-effects on his personal health, but believed that it could harm the team's performances if he was seen to be
suffering.
"August and September were not good for me. Nobody knew that.
"As manager I did not want to show that there was something wrong. Everyone who knows me will tell you that I am a workaholic.
"I love my job and like to go out, but I was going through this spell when I was getting up and found myself reluctant to go into work which is just not me."
Houllier also revealed that he himself played 90 minutes of football with friends in France during the international break early in October, less than a fortnight before being taken ill.
He did however know something was wrong and saw a doctor on his return, adding: "I still did not really believe that there was anything seriously wrong - I rested and felt fine again.
"I don't think even the doctor believed there was a major problem."
The Liverpool boss carried on as normal until being transported to hospital at the interval of the clash with Leeds after a half-time check-up with club doctor Mark Waller revealed a serious problem.
All along Houllier's thought's concentrated on matters on the field: "If you show you are weak, the team will be weak. In my mind I could not allow that to happen," he added on the club's website.
November 14
Parry: Houllier's still king of the Kop
Ananova
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has quashed speculation that Gerard Houllier may have a less significant role when he returns to the club.
Houllier needed life-saving heart surgery after suffering chest pains during last month's game with Leeds.
The Frenchman's assistant, Phil Thompson, has maintained the momentum in Houllier's absence.
But any suggestions of Houllier relinquishing control have been ended by Parry.
He said: "We all appreciate what Phil has done - but I don't see there being any significant shift in the way he and Gerard do their respective jobs."
Parry continued in The Daily Mail: "I'm convinced Gerard will come back and make the same contribution as before his illness.
"We'll discuss it in detail with Gerard and his doctors - but all the indications so far have told us that is perfectly possible."
Parry admitted Houllier's determination to improve a side which won five cups this year means the Frenchman will find it hard to switch off from the job.
He continued: "Perhaps he'll have to focus on the things that are most important because his contribution before, in terms of hours spent caring and worrying about this club, was absolutely massive.
"Every waking hour and half his sleeping hours, were devoted to getting the best out of the team.
"He's completely dedicated to the cause and needs to find a way of having periods where he can relax.
"But it's easier said than done because driving Liverpool to the top is an all-consuming passion for him.
"He simply never switches off - but he's going to have to.
"He'll find it difficult - mentally, he'll continue to think about things non-stop because that's how he is."
November 2
Houllier out of hospital
By Chris Bascombe/Liverpool Echo
Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier was discharged from Broadgreen hospital last night and is continuing his recovery from heart surgery at home.
He was released from the Cardiothoracic Hospital just three weeks after an 11 hour operation.
Although it will be New Year before the 54-year-old can return to Anfield to lead Liverpool's title and European campaign, Houllier has already had some input into the Reds' recent triumphs.
He is in daily contact with assistant manager Phil Thompson who said today he is thrilled by Houllier's recovery.
Thompson said: "I thought it would be a few days before Gerard was released from hospital so the fact that he is out already is fantastic news for everyone connected to Liverpool Football Club.
"He is comfortable and very happy at the moment.
"Gerard has asked me to pass on his deepest thanks to everyone at the Cardiothoracic Hospital in Broadgreen. Everything they have done for him has been absolutely top class and I know how grateful he is for all their help.
"It will still be some time before Gerard will be attending a Liverpool match so he won't be at the Manchester United game on Sunday."
November 1
Houllier out by the weekend
By Chris Bascombe/Liverpool Echo
Gerrard Houllier is expected to be released from hospital this weekend.
The Liverpool boss is continuing to make a remarkable recovery from heart surgery. He could leave the Broadgreen Cardiothoracic Unit in three days.
Assistant manager Phil Thompson said today: "Gerard is still coming along brilliantly. Now we are just waiting for the day when he is released from hospital. We don't think it's too far away. It could be in the next three days but it will probably be after the Manchester United game.
"I've been speaking to him regularly and I know he's extremely happy about Tuesday's result. He sent his best wishes to the players and staff and told us how proud he is. We still have to be very careful with him but he is making great strides."
Even if he was released this weekend, Houllier would not be considered well enough to attend Sunday's heavyweight clash. It could be several months before he returns to work.
October 30
Houllier talking tactics - from his sick bed
By John Edwards/Soccernet
Gerard Houllier is under doctor's orders to help manage Liverpool from his hospital bed in an attempt to accelerate his return to health.
The Anfield manager, who underwent an 11-hour heart operation barely a fortnight ago, was initially told to hand over all responsibility to his assistant Phil Thompson following the matchday scare that almost claimed his life.
But after making rapid progress in the past two weeks, he has been actively encouraged to discuss tactics with Thompson ahead of tonight's decisive Champions League qualifier with Borussia Dortmund at Anfield.
Caretaker-manager Thompson said: "We have been told that involving Gerard in day-to-day team matters will help motivate him and aid his rehabilitation, so that is what we are doing.
"I don't go running to him for advice, because it is still too early to burden him with things like that. But let's just say he has found a phone next to his bed and is making good use of it.
"We are drip-feeding him with these consultations at the moment, because it is important not to overdo it. But you can sense he is getting better all the time. He wants to know more of what is going on each day.
"I have an idea of what my team will be against Dortmund and I will take it to him in hospital. I don't imagine he will try to change it. He has not suggested any alterations in the previous games, but the day will arrive before long when he does take issue over something and that will be when we know he is on his way back.'
Thompson said that Houllier will have to make concessions to his illness and that his wife Isabel will have the greatest influence on his plans.
He said: "It will all depend on his health, what the medical people say and what his family feel. When he decides he is ready to take that final step and resume his duties here again, we will ease him back into it in the right manner.
"The guy is a gem. He is very generous about giving his time to others and I just hope he cuts back on that for his own sake. He has got to start thinking of himself for a change."
October 25
Chairman: Houllier will be back
By Chris Bascombe/Liverpool Echo
Liverpool chairman David Moores is certain Gerard Houllier will return to Anfield to 'finish the job' of creating the greatest Reds team ever.
Mr Moores has given an emotional insight into the events following Houllier's heart scare, revealing how close the Liverpool boss was to dying during the 1-1 draw with Leeds a fortnight ago.
He has also slammed those who suggested he should appoint a temporary replacement for being 'disrespectful' to the French manager.
The chairman is confident Houllier will not only return to his post, but continue to lead the club to a new era of unprecedented success.
"If Gerard hadn't been where he was at the time he fell ill he could have died," said Mr Moores.
"It was touch and go he would survive. Thankfully, the surgeons and staff at Broadgreen are up there with the best in the world. I think he was told last Monday just how close he was to death and how serious the operation was. I think it quite surprised him.
"If it had happened three days later in Kiev it would have been the end. He was in the hands of the staff at Broadgreen and, by God, they came up trumps.
"When I first saw Gerard following the operation it was quite horrific. He looked very frail and it frightened me. The progress he has made has been absolutely outstanding. He doesn't look back to normal but he looks much better. He's a real fighter. A real battler.
"He said to me before he went in he's got a job to finish here and he's only half way through it. Knowing the man, he'll be back. I'm certain. His ideal, he's said to me, is to produce the best Liverpool side ever. That's his number one priority.
"Having said that he's got to take things a lot easier. He can't be travelling around Europe all the time. He has to cut back a lot. His wife Isabelle has said that and the medical team will say the same. We want him around for a long time to come."
Mr Moores said the goodwill shown by the people of Merseyside summed up how highly Houllier is regarded in the city.
He added: "In the ECHO there was page after page of messages of support for the boss. It is quite unbelievable. Liverpool supporters know their football and know just how good a job he's done. He's turned the club around and has brought a sense of pride about being a Liverpool supporter.
"The progress he's made in the last two or three years is unbelievable. I don't think what happened during the six months we won five trophies will ever be repeated.
"Not ever, by anyone.
"Now Gerard wants the Premiership. Now he wants the Champions League. His ultimate goal is to be the man who managed the best Liverpool team ever.
"I must point out too he has a terrific backroom team. This is why it upset everyone at the club when people started suggesting we were going to bring someone in while Gerard was recovering.
"I can honestly say now it's never even entered my mind. It's a total lack of respect for the manager and the coaching staff to even think it."
October 25
Houllier thrilled with Boavista draw
LFC Official Website
Gerard Houllier was on the phone to assistant Phil Thompson early this morning to congratulate the Reds on their 1-1 draw with Boavista in Portugal.
Houllier watched the match live from his hospital bed last night and was delighted to see his side maintain their unbeaten record in the competition and keep their place at the top of Group B.
Speaking before the Reds flew back to Merseyside, Thompson said: "Gerard rang me this morning and sent his congratulations for our performance and result last night.
"I spoke to his wife immediately after the game and she told me he was very tired and that he had gone to sleep soon after the final whistle.
"The hospital were good enough to install ITV digital for him so he was able to watch the game live. He had two nurses with him throughout the match and they were keeping an eye on his blood pressure. Apparently he was okay even when Silva scored for Boavista so that was good. He was thrilled with the result."
October 24
Houllier's condition continues to improve
Reuters
Gerard Houllier is continuing to make a successful recovery from emergency heart surgery, doctors said on Wednesday.
The 54-year-old Frenchman underwent an 11-hour operation after being taken ill during Liverpool's home league game against Leeds United on October 13.
"Mr. Houllier's recovery is progressing as planned and is extremely satisfactory," said surgeon Abbas Rashid, who operated on the Reds manager at Liverpool's Cardiothoracic Centre.
October 22
Recovering Houllier full of praise
Ananova
Gerard Houllier has spoken from his hospital bed for the first time following major heart surgery.
Houllier set his players two targets as he recovers from major heart surgery.
In a statement he insisted he wants Champions League and Premiership glory.
And the Frenchman pointedly praised the job done by his assistant Phil Thompson as caretaker-boss.
Liverpool fly to Portugal this week for what could be their deciding Champions League clash with Boavista in Oporto, where victory will ensure qualification for the next stage of the competition.
And Houllier has praised his players, and assistant boss Thompson, for the two wins against Kiev and Leicester in the past week.
He said: "The players have been magnificent and the results a real boost for me.
"Their wins in Kiev and Leicester didn't surprise me, however, because this is a group of winners.
"I may not be able to travel with them to Portugal, but there are two targets I'd like to set for Jamie Redknapp and the boys."
And he spelt them out, saying: "The first is to qualify for the next stage of the Champions League and to build on their unbeaten start in the competition.
"Secondly I want them to maintain our form in the league. We're well placed and I've got complete confidence in the squad to keep the pressure on the early leaders.
"Our foremost aim has not changed this season and that's to improve on our third place finish last time around."
And he added: "The good news is that this is now my third day out of intensive care and my condition has improved significantly over that period.
"I feel much stronger, physically and mentally, and the constant support of my wife and family has been a crucial help to me."
Houllier, who is now in a side ward with his own TV to watch, is convinced the club is in good hands as he starts his recuperation.
He said: "I want to say how much I've appreciated the support of our chairman David Moores and chief executive Rick Parry during the past week, together with the efforts of Phil and the technical staff.
"It's very reassuring for me to know that the club is in good hands and that they'll continue to build on all the hard work we've put in over the last three years."
