Gerard Houllier has officially parted company with Liverpool after weeks of intense speculation regarding his position at Anfield.
Houllier's future has been the subject of intense speculation in the last week as the club prepare for next season.

The Frenchman spent six years with the Merseysiders and overcame a serious heart problem to lead the team to a cup treble in 2001.

However, despite clinching fourth spot in The Premiership and earning a chance to play in next term's UEFA Champions League, the Reds board have decided that the time is right for change at the helm of the club.

Liverpool finished some 30 points behind champions Arsenal and there will now be plenty of anticipation over who will succeed Houllier.

The Frenchman admitted he was sad to be leaving Anfield, but that he was heading out with many special memories from his time on Merseyside.

"The first thing I want to make clear is how much the club meant to me and I would have wanted to stay and intended to," said Houllier.

"The reason we parted company was mainly because of the sudden excessive pressure on the board and myself.

"I am able to cope with it and it has tested me over the last 10 months, but we thought it could be harmful to the players in next season's campaign, jeopardise performances and that is why we agreed to come to this decision.

"The club comes first and I have consistently always said that. I am not here for myself I am here for the club.

That's why the club always came first to me and that meant six years of happiness to me.

"I have fond memories even of my first year and I would like to take the opportunity to thank the players who have achieved so much and the fans for their support.

"Thanks to them we won six trophies, qualified for the Uefa Cup once and the Champions League three times in the last four years. And in over 50 European games we only had seven defeats.

"I would also like to thank David Moores, Rick Parry, the board of directors, Phil Thompson my loyal assistant, my technical staff, medical team and thank all the staff at Anfield and Melwood.

"The team and I have had a great relationship despite some of the mischief coming out recently and the club have considerably improved and I am glad that Rick has stressed that on and off the pitch.

"In my heart the club is one of most fantastic in world."


Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry paid tribute to Houllier's impact at Anfield and felt a change was needed to turn the club into serious title contenders.

"After considerable thought and discussion the board have decided to part company with the manager and Gerard has accepted this with typical good grace," said Parry.

"We have always said we would review our position at the end of the season and that is what we have now done.

"Although we have reached the Champions League that is a minimum standard and not a goal.

"For a variety of reasons the board decided that change was necessary if we were to realistically challenge for the title next season.

"But this is not a day for anger, recrimination or speculation. It is a day for dignity and respect and I want to publicly thank Gerard for his considerable achievements during his time in charge.

"We all have very fond memories of the historic treble and the other trophies won but there were many other special occasions and I will personally never forget the reception given to Gerard after he returned from illness for the Champions League game against Roma.

"We had many good times together."

The search will now begin for Houllier's replacement with the likes of Celtic's Martin O'Neill, Charlton's Alan Curbishley and Valencia coach Rafa Benitez all thought to be among the board's top targets.

GOOD RIDANCE IF YOU ASK ME