Gerard Houllier - Play With Method And Calm

Florent Malouda has been talking to www.chelseafc.com about our new manager ahead of the silly kick off time clash for Chelsea this evening at Villa Park.

Some great quotes from Malouda on Gerard Houllier.

Must admit, the more I read about this guy the more I see what a class manager we now have - also excited about the backroom staff and especially the fact the team have been in for double training, one for fitness and then the afternoon spent on skills and tactics. What a refreshing change!

'He was really important to me and I have a special relationship with him. With him I reached another level. He made me understand a lot of things about modern, high-level football. I'm really grateful for that and happy to play against him this weekend. Whether he is managing in France or in England, he always keeps the same philosophy. He wants to play with method and calm. He wants his team in control of the game and his players in control of their emotion. That's what he speaks about in the dressing room.'

He also says that although he left the Premiership for a while and went to Lyon, Houllier was always watching the Premier League adding, 'he knows everything about the league here. It was like he had never gone. He kept his family in England and he is really close with Arsene Wenger so I knew he would come back. When I spoke to him about moving to England it felt like if he could come with me he would have done so he really loves England and the way things are organised. The Premier League is a good model for all football in the world.'

Hou Hou Houllier!

With thanks to www.chelseafc.com

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