Gerard Houllier has emerged as a possible candidate to take over as coach of French champions Lyon when Paul Le Guen steps down this summer.
Le Guen announced this week that he would be leaving the Stade Gerland at the end of the season having just led the club to the third of their four consecutive league titles.
Former coach Jacques Santini, who brought Lyon their first French title in 2002, and Rennes boss Laszlo Boloni are thought to be among the leading candidates to take over but Houllier looks to be in the running as well.
The former France and Paris St Germain boss has been without a managerial role since leaving Liverpool in 2003 but the 57-year-old revealed he had been approached by Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas about the soon-to-be vacant post.
Houllier said in today’s Le Parisien: “I will not lie, that’s true, Lyon contacted me. And I am very flattered by it.
“My desire to coach is stronger than ever, especially at Lyon. I have a lot of admiration for what was done in that club.
“Lyon is also a fantastic city where the club has great supporters. But for now I can’t say more.”