It is with great sadness that the Bermuda Football Coaches Association has received the news of the passing of French coaching legend Gérard Houllier.

The former Liverpool manager visited the island in March 2018 as part of a series of functions organised by the BFCA. Houllier shared tales from his storied managerial career, which included spells at French clubs Paris Saint-Germain, Lyons and the French national academy Clairefontaine, as a guest speaker at a fundraiser for the BFCA at Pier 6.

The event was well attended by football coaches, Liverpool fans and members of the local football fraternity and fanbase. Additional opportunities were organised for Houllier to meet Bermuda Football Association National Academy coaches, join the local Liverpool supporters club at Docksider’s for a viewing of the Newcastle v Liverpool Premier League match, and he was the guest of honour at an invitation-only dinner at Beau Rivage restaurant.

Gérard Houllier is a big name in football and, naturally of course, many locals will associate him with Liverpool. He went on to become a folk hero at the club, winning five trophies during his time at Anfield. He guided Liverpool to the FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup in the 2000-01 season, not to overlook his success in France, where he won Ligue 1 three times. Houllier, who also managed Aston Villa, briefly served as coach of France in 1992. He most recently was the Global Sports Director at Red Bull Global Soccer, which includes RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga and the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.

Houllier’s visit to Bermuda was the result of an invitation from Jacques Crevoisier, his former assistant at Anfield. Crevoisier, who served as a consultant for the BFCA in designing and delivering coach education programmes for Bermuda, passed away earlier this year. The two compatriots worked together at various football organisations and were great friends off the field.

Gérard’s passing brings back memories for the BFCA of the influence of Jacques as the architect of football coach education in Bermuda over the past decade, and his time spent on the island building many friendships through football.

Jacques was an invaluable resource for the BFCA, providing continuity through much of the coaching education that has happened in Bermuda recently. His involvement included working with four organisations: the Bermuda Football Foundation, the BFA, the ABC Football School and the BFCA.

The BFCA extends condolences to the friends and family of Gérard Houllier, and will fondly remember his visit to our shores as part of a lasting legacy left by Jacques Crevoisier.

RICHARD TODD

President/Coach Education Chairman

Bermuda Football Coaches Association