Houllier takes charge at Villa
Birmingham, England (Sports Network) - Aston Villa confirmed on Wednesday that Gerard Houllier has been hired as the club's new manager.
The 63-year-old Houllier was the technical director of French football, but after stepping down from his position to take the Villa job, he expressed his excitement about this new opportunity.
"I am very happy and proud to join this great and historic club," Houllier told the club's official website. "It was a very difficult decision for me to leave the FFF [French Football Federation] but I could not turn down the opportunity to manage a club whose approach, both on and off the pitch, I have long admired.
"Aston Villa is one of England's biggest clubs and has an amazing set of fans. This is a tremendous challenge and one I am very much looking forward to taking on."
Houllier has previously managed at Lens and PSG before winning a UEFA Cup and FA Cup with Liverpool as well as consecutive Ligue 1 titles with Lyon in 2006 and 2007.
His first game in charge will come Monday at Stoke City as he inherits a team with two wins from its first three games this season.
