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| Gerard Houllier admitted he was touched by the English support after the Paris attacks |
GERARD HOULLIER’S voice is not above a whisper, yet his tone is defiant. “Let’s carry on living,” he says.
The Frenchman is in the Palais des Congres foyer preparing to analyse the Euro 2016 draw for French TV.
Outside, a helicopter circles, gun-toting police are ever present and later there will be soldiers, who barely look out of their teens, patrolling carriages on the metro while cradling machine guns.
It is an unnerving sight, but a sign of the times after the terrorist atrocities of November 13 which have left Paris on edge.
Last Friday, Houllier met his godson for lunch in the French capital, the sort of rendezvous that would not seem out of the ordinary but one which carried special significance for the former France coach and Liverpool manager.
“My godson was there at the Bataclan,” he said. “It was a traumatising experience I tell you. He was safe, but he lost a few friends.
“I was at the Stade de France for the France game with Germany. I managed to leave early. I knew what was happening because I was sitting not very far from the president and when he left we knew it was something very serious.
“We try not to mention it too much. Time will heal. The thing is they used to go for symbolic targets, it is different now. They go to a stadium, a theatre, the terrace cafes. They attack the normal life of the people. I hope this will be finished.”
Houllier watched as the world rallied behind France following the grotesque attacks, the friendly with England at Wembley four days afterwards an example of rivals standing shoulder to shoulder in the face of adversity.
That France hosts Euro 2016 next summer brings its own security concerns, but also the chance for Didier Deschamps, who captained Les Bleus to World Cup success on home soil in 1998, and his side to stand proud.
“We were very touched by the worldwide testimony of support and affection and so on. What England did was fantastic,” said Houllier.
“I don’t think it is will galvanise the team more. In fact, what has happened has not played a good role. Against England, we didn’t play. Hopefully it will be okay.
“I know that Didier is focused on the European Championships, but all the teams are. If you look at the seeds, then all the teams are strong.
“Home support plays a part and we have interesting players, very exciting young players: Varane, Pogba, Griezmann and even Martial. Whether we have the experience...we will see.”
On England’s prospects, Houllier believes Roy Hodgson’s side will be motivated by the memory of their premature exit at the group stage in Brazil.
“I was impressed by their run – 10 games, 10 wins. It is difficult to do that,” he said. “Look at all the other teams. They won maybe eight, one draw, one defeat. So, well done to Roy and well done to the FA because they kept faith.
“They will have some frustration to get out of them after the World Cup because what happened was unfair. They prepared well and just missed a bit of luck. Once you get into the last eight anything can happen.”
It is when the conversation turns to Liverpool, to whom Houllier still refers as “us”, that his passion becomes obvious and he is intrigued by what Jurgen Klopp’s reign could bring.
“Jurgen has personality,” said Houllier, whose haul of trophies, including the Cup treble in 2001, represents a feast compared with much of what followed.
“I know Jurgen from UEFA meetings and he has always liked Liverpool. He had a passion for the club. He was always talking about Liverpool; what we did, how we lived. I can tell you he was a true fan of Liverpool and he was following the results before going there.
“In a way, he will bring something different. And the way he plays is a very modern way; high pressing, offensive football and quick transition.
“I don’t agree with those who say the standard in the Premier League is not what it was. Because the pace of the game is so high and so intense, you sometimes think it is not as technical as maybe it used to be.
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| Gerard Houllier is a fan of new Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp |
“But it is still entertaining. You don’t find teams trying not to lose, they go for a win.
“I like what Jurgen said, ‘I am not going to sign anybody’. They are in the semi-final of the Capital One Cup, which could give a lot of confidence for the rest of the season.
“We saw that when we won and you saw that with Chelsea. When Mourinho won that trophy [in 2005], he won the title on the back of it.
“Sometimes with a competition like that you get a sense of relief first because you win something and then it gives you confidence.
“I would not neglect that aspect of their season and they play the second leg of their semi-final at home. It is interesting.
“They are still in the Europa League too, and they have a role to play in that. That can bring them confidence.”
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