Houllier appointed manager of Lyon
Sunday, 29 May 2005 20:42Gerard Houllier claimed today that managing French champions Lyon would be an enormous challenge, but made it clear the Champions League would be his prime target.
Former Liverpool boss Houllier, who replaces Paul Le Guen who stood down after being in charge for three of Lyon's four consecutive titles, also claimed that managing the French title-holders would be like taking charge of an English club.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has previously indicated that he is targeting the Champions League as the next stage in the club's development.
The French club have been eliminated at the quarter-final stage for two consecutive seasons.
Houllier did not mention the competition by name but made it clear where he was setting his sights when he said: "There is a project, a desire to reach higher. It's an honour to take on such a responsibility.
"I want the club to reach new heights. That's an exciting challenge, an enormous challenge."
Lyon had never won the Ligue 1 title until 2002 when they triumphed under Le Guen's predecessor Jacques Santini by beating Lens on the last day of the season.
