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October 14
Parry: Players are fighting for the boss
LFC Official Website
Rick Parry today insisted the Liverpool staff are rallying around at this difficult time after manager Gerard Houllier underwent heart surgery in hospital last night.
Speaking before the Liverpool party flew to Kiev, Parry said: "Gerard had a major operation last night. He was feeling pretty uncomfortable at half time in the Leeds game. They carried out tests at the Royal Hospital before going to Broadgreen.
"It wasn't a heart attack. He had a problem with his Aorta. He is on a ventilator to keep him calm when he recovers. This is normal after a major operation.
"The operation was a success and we have no further news. All Gerard's family are with him. His wife went to hospital with Gerard yesterday, his brother flew over from France and his sons are with him. This puts football and life into perspective and we wish him a speedy recovery.
"There was a meeting between the players and staff at Melwood this morning. We have a great team spirit and all the coaches rallied round. It is business as usual and the players are fighting for the boss.
"We are confident that he will be back. We don't know when, but we haven't heard anything to suggest he won't return."
October 14
Houllier surgery successfully completed
Ananova
Liverpool have revealed that Gerard Houllier's cardiac surgery was successfully completed.
The club say the Anfield boss will remain on a ventilator for the next 24 hours.
They say that Houllier was found to be suffering from a condition known as dissection of the aorta following tests at the Royal Liverpool Hospital and the Cardiothoracic Centre at Broadgreen Hospital on Merseyside.
The club have thanked the many people who have expressed their concern and sent good wishes.
A club statement read: "The operation has been completed successfully and Gerard is in a stable condition.
"As is normal following this type of surgery, he will be monitored in the intensive care unit for a period of time.
"As part of the standard procedure Gerard will be on a ventilator for the next 24 hours and will continue to receive the best possible attention from the staff at the Broad Green cardio thoracic unit.
"The club do not expect any further news during that period and will not be in a position to comment further. Our thoughts now are with Gerard and his family."
The Frenchman was said to be in a "comfortable" condition in intensive care.
A hospital spokesman said Houllier was recovering in intensive care, where he was likely to remain for several days.
October 13
Houllier
underwent heart surgery
By PA Sport Staff
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier underwent cardiac surgery on Saturday night, according to a statement released by the club.
Houllier was taken to hospital during Liverpool's Premiership match against Leeds United earlier in the afternoon after experiencing chest pains.
He had a series of tests which revealed that he had not suffered a heart attack.
But the tests did reveal a problem requiring the 54-year-old Frenchman to undergo cardiac surgery.
Phil Thompson leaving the
hospital
with Houllier's wife Isabel. (Photo: BBC)
Liverpool's statement read: "Gerard Houllier did not suffer a heart attack earlier today, but, as a result of tests carried out at Royal Liverpool and Broad Green hospitals, Gerard is now undergoing cardiac surgery.
"The club will be making no further comment until that surgery is completed, but we underline that Gerard could not be in better hands.
"Gerard will definitely be out of action for several weeks and during that period Phil Thompson will take charge of team matters while the manager recovers."
A club source confirmed that Houllier was laughing and chatting with nurses and doctors in hospital.
But it is clear that there is no such thing as minor heart surgery and Houllier will clearly need time to rest and recuperate after his surgery.
Liverpool were not prepared to reveal the exact nature of the surgery Houllier was undergoing.
It means that Houllier will be sidelined for arguably the most important part of Liverpool's season leading up to Christmas.
They travel to Kiev on Sunday for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev, and Thompson will take control for the first time for that match.
But the club have two more Champions League group matches in the next three weeks - away to Boavista and at home to Borussia Dortmund - plus a home Premiership clash with Manchester United.
The need to qualify for the second phase of the Champions League is paramount and they dare not fall behind in the title race.
Houllier will be badly missed, for his calm control, tactical ability andleadership, and the mantle falls on Thompson to carry the club through a very demanding period.
Thompson, speaking after Saturday afternoon's match when Houllier was having his hospital tests, made it clear that he did not expect the Frenchman to make the trip to Kiev.
He said: "When I see Gerard in hospital I will certainly discourage him from even thinking about flying with us, and from being involved for a while."
Houllier suffered chest pains during the half-time break, and, after receiving oxygen, he was taken to Royal Liverpool hospital by ambulance.
Houllier was initially treated by club physio Dave Galley, and later by club doctor Mark Waller.
"It was a bit of a shock," said Thompson. "He just felt some tightness in his chest and immediately took himself out of the dressing room and into the treatment area.
"Our physio Dave Galley noticed and followed him out. He laid him down on the treatment table and started to look after him.
"It was very, very close to the time when the players were going out anyway for the second half. Gerard had given his team talk, curtailed it a bit, and I had chipped in with a few things.
"I did my piece and Gerard took a back seat, and that's when he felt the pain.
"We didn't feel the need anyway to tell the players. They were pretty wound up as they went out with the intention of getting back into the game."
Thompson added: "When the players were told, they were solemn obviously, very down because they had fought back exactly how Gerard would have wanted.
"They had showed character, commitment and passion which he has tried to instil into the place. He would have been extremely pleased because the players had done everything he had asked them to.
"I don't believe Gerard has had any previous problems, certainly not that I know of.
"He's always looked after himself. He's an extremely busy man and works extremely hard at his job."
October 13
Bosses rally round Houllier
Sportal
Premiership managers were quick to send their best wishes to Gerard Houllier for a speedy recovery after he was admitted to hospital.
The Liverpool boss was taken ill during half time of the 1-1 draw with Leeds at Anfield and was admitted to the Royal Liverpool Hospital suffering from chest pains.
The 54-year-old has since been transferred to the cardio-thoracic centre at Broadgreen, where he was reported to be sitting up and in a comfortable condition.
Leeds boss David O'Leary, who is a personal friend of Houllier, was the first to offer his support. He said: "It goes to show that nothing is more important than your health, not all the money in the world."
A shocked Sir Alex Ferguson was planning to contact the Frenchman after hearing the news.
Ferguson, who was preparing his Manchester United team for their trip to Sunderland when he learned that the Frenchman had been taken ill, wished him well.
"I'll be in touch with him immediately because he's a good man," he said. "I just hope it's not serious."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, another close friend, was also planning to get in touch with his compatriot.
"I will try to get in touch with him tonight. I hope it's not too serious and I wish him all the best," said Wenger after his side's 2-0 win at Southampton.
"It shows that the job can damage your health. Of course, your health comes first but unfortunately I think we all let passion come first most of the time.
"I hope he comes back very quickly."
Newcastle's Bobby Robson, who is the oldest manager in the top flight at 68, said: "I feel sorry for Gerard and hope he will be okay.
"Perhaps I must be off my rocker to carry on at my age. But I cope with the pressure through sheer enjoyment and fulfilment of my life. I am on the pitch every day and I love it."
October 13
Managers who felt the strain
PA Sport
Gerard Houllier, taken to hospital as a precaution, after suffering chest pains during Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Premiership leaders Leeds, is by no means the first manager to have health problems.
The stress and strain of management has taken its toll on several bosses down the years. Here PA Sport recalls some of them.
Graeme Souness
- in 1992, the then Liverpool boss enters hospital for triple heart by-pass operation 24 hours after FA Cup semi-final draw against Portsmouth.
Joe Kinnear
- in March 1999, the then Wimbledon boss is rushed to hospital after suffering a mild heart attack while warming-up on the pitch at Hillsborough prior to the Dons' match with Sheffield Wednesday. Three months later Kinnear stood down as manager due to continuing ill health.
Kenny Dalglish
- in February 1991, Dalglish announced his shock resignation as Liverpool manager after a roller-coaster 4-4 cup tie with Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park. The stress of the job had manifested itself in a painful attack of shingles before the game.
Barry Fry
- has suffered three heartaches during his football management career. The first of these came when he was pushing the Barnet team bus when it had broken down.
Steve Coppell
- quit after just 33 days in charge of Manchester City during the 1996 season, due to ill health.
Jock Stein
- the saddest instance of stress taking it's toll, Stein suffered a fatal heart attack during Scotland's World Cup qualifier against Wales on September 10 1985.
