Ex-Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier joins Tampines Rovers

SINGAPORE — After signing former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant as their player for the new S.League season, local club Tampines Rovers have recruited another Anfield alumnae into their set-up.

In a move that will add more glamour and stardust to their brand name, the five-time S.League champions have appointed former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier as the club’s international ambassador.

TODAY can reveal that the 68-year-old former France national coach will visit Singapore in the last quarter of the year to help the Stags in their youth development programmes, and to offer his advice on how to improve local football.

“We are delighted to have someone of Houllier’s calibre and background become the international ambassador of Tampines Rovers,” said Tampines chairman Krishna Ramachandra on Monday (March 28).

“I am heartened by his commitment to youth football and believe he can contribute a lot to help local football grow. He is a well-known global figure and we look forward to his valuable input.”

Ramachandra said he first got in touch with Houllier upon the recommendation of Football Association of Singapore (FAS) technical director Michel Sablon. He did not reveal how much it will cost to appoint the Frenchman as ambassador, but said: “Money is not his motivation. Gerard has reached a stage of his life where he wants to help out in youth development programmes and to develop young talents.

“And that is why he is interested in being involved with Tampines and Singapore football.”

The 44-year-old lawyer has stated in past interviews of his desire to revive Singaporeans’ interest in local football, grow the pool of local talents and raise the standards of the players - steps that will help improve the national team eventually. He added: “When I took over as (Tampines) chairman, I spoke to FAS and Michel about my plans for local football.

“Michel recommended Houlier as someone who would be ideal, given his background and experience. I got in touch with him about a month ago and he immediately agreed to the proposal (Tampines) pitched to him.”

Ramachandra, a staunch supporter of local football since he was a boy, said Houllier is not a footballing brain that Tampines will guard jealously for themselves.

“Our aim, whatever we do, is to benefit Singapore football,” he said. “So we will make him readily accessible to all S.League clubs. We will structure his visit in the final quarter of the year such that the series of workshops and seminars he is conducting will be open to all S.League clubs.

“Everyone can come and learn from Gerard. The aim is the development of football in Singapore, not just for Tampines Rovers.”

This is the third time in four months Tampines have partnered high-profile personalities of world football in their projects.

In December last year, the Stags teamed up with former Brazil and Barcelona star Ronaldinho to set up a football academy here.

A month later, the Eastern club signed former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Pennant in their bid to reclaim the title and win the Asian-level AFC Cup.

A highly-respected coach, Houllier led Liverpool to a famous UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup treble in 2001. He also took charge of English side Aston Villa, as well as French clubs Paris St Germain and Olympique Lyon.

Houllier coached the French national team between 1992 and 1993, and was assistant to coach Aime Jacquet at France’s victorious World Cup campaign in 1998. He was the Technical Director for the French Football Federation during the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa.

He was also part of UEFA’s and FIFA’s Technical Committee in the 2002 and 2006 World Cup Finals.