Ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier dies aged 73

 

Former Liverpool and Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has died at the age of 73. 

A fan favourite at Anfield, Houllier suffered a life-threatening vascular problem during a Premier League match against Leeds in 2001. 

He was quickly rushed to hospital and later needed 11 hours of open-heart surgery after suffering a heart conditions known as 'dissection of the aorta'. Houllier arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 1998, initially as joint-manager with Roy Evans before taking sole charge just four months later. 

Gary Lineker was among the first to tweet his sympathies, posting: 'Oh no! Gerard Houllier has passed away. One of football's smartest, warmest and loveliest people. #RIPGerard'.