Gerard Houllier explains FFF call
Monday 27th September 2010, 5:00PM BST.
New Villa manager Gerard Houllier has explained his reasons for asking for a sabbatical from the French Football Federation.
Houllier, who made it two wins out of two with victory at Wolves yesterday, moved to clarify reports he had asked the FFF to keep his post as technical director open for a year.
The 63-year-old revealed his request was an attempt to accelerate his arrival to Villa Park rather than a back-up plan in the event his Villa reign failed to go to plan.
He said: “When you resign you need to serve three months’ notice and one way of turning that round is to ask for a sabbatical.
“If you ask for a sabbatical they have to say yes and you are free immediately.
“I did it for the club. It was just a technical thing.”
FFF president Fernand Duchaussoy confirmed the request had been turned down, claiming it was viewed by some French football chiefs as “impudent”.
He said: “Our federal council has rejected Gerard Houllier’s request for sabbatical leave. If they refuse it’s difficult for him to do anything but resign.
“Some council members thought his request particularly impudent – although he made it within the context of employment laws – it surprised me.”
Houllier finally penned his three-year contract with Villa on Friday, 16 days after being appointed as Martin O’Neill’s successor.
UK Sport
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