Houllier's health may prevent return to management

Former Aston Villa coach Gerard Houllier admits the health problems that forced him to leave the Premier League club may bring an end to his management career.

Houllier's spell in charge of Villa finished prematurely after he missed the closing weeks of the season following a spell in hospital due to severe chest pains.

He had been at Villa Park for just nine months and was keen to return but doctors advised him not to go back to work before September.

It left Villa with no choice but to let him go and the club subsequently appointed Alex McLeish as his successor.

Having experienced heart problems during his time with Liverpool, the 63-year-old Frenchman accepts he may have to follow doctors' advice if they counsel against a return to the dugout.

"We had a case of unfinished business (at Villa)," he told Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.

"There was an option of leaving the team to Gary McAllister, who was my assistant, and I would come back in September but the chairman and owner wanted to go another route and I have to respect that. We left on good terms, no acrimony."

"At the moment I just want to make sure I get fit again and then we'll see. But I will follow the doctors' advice and if the advice is not to get back into management, I won't.

"The strong advice was not to go back to business until the end of September but they are happy with the recovery."

Houllier, who worked as the technical director of the French Football Federation before taking over at Villa, has suggested if full-time management is beyond him, he would consider a less hands-on role within the game.

"I will still definitely be linked with football," he said.

"It is my life, it is my oxygen and if I have to be involved in another way, then I will."