New Villa boss Gerard Houllier has revealed he could not turn down managing “one of England’s biggest clubs.”

A month on from Martin O’Neill’s exit, the Frenchman was finally confirmed as manager last night after resigning from his post as the French Football Federation’s technical director.

The vastly-experienced 63-year-old arrives six years after leaving Liverpool, where he won a cup treble in 2001, and has agreed a three-year contract.

Houllier will be officially unveiled at a press conference tomorrow.

His assistant will be fellow Frenchman Patrice Bergues, who worked alongside him at Anfield and with Lyon.

The new boss said: “I am very happy and proud to join this great and historic club. It was a very difficult decision for me to leave the FFF.

“But I could not turn down the opportunity to manage a club whose approach, both on and off the pitch, I have long admired.

“Aston Villa is one of England’s biggest clubs and has an amazing set of fans. This is a tremendous challenge and one I am very much looking forward to.”

As well as managing Liverpool, where he won the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups, Houllier has managed Lyon, Paris St-Germain and Lens, winning three French League titles, as well as the French national team.

Houllier has also been on FIFA’s technical committee at the last three World Cups.

Chief executive Paul Faulkner expressed his delight at landing Houllier, who was the outstanding candidate from a shortlist of interviewees including Alan Curbishley, Sven-Goran Eriksson and caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald.

Faulkner said: “We look forward to working with Gerard and supporting him. We ask our supporters to get behind the new manager and the team.”

Former Villa favourite and Express & Star columnist Ian Taylor said: “It’s a really good appointment.

“Houllier has won nearly everything there is to win, both here and abroad.”

It remains to be seen what lies in store for MacDonald but as revealed in yesterday’s Express & Star, Phil Thompson turned down a backroom role for family reasons.