Michael Owen leads tributes to former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier after his death at age of 73 

Michael Owen led the tributes for French football manager Gerard Houllier, who has tragically passed away at the age of 73.  

The former Liverpool boss, who guided the Reds to the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup treble in 2001, had a long history of medical problems. 

Owen, who played under Houllier for six years during his time at Anfield, said: ‘Absolutely heartbroken to hear that my old boss, Gérard Houllier, has sadly passed away. A great manager and a genuinely caring man. #RIPBoss’  

Former Liverpool and Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has sadly died at the age of 73

He led Liverpool to a unique treble in 2000-01, winning the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup

Michael Owen was ‘heartbroken’ to learn of his former boss at Liverpool Houllier’s death 

Houllier arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 1998, initially as joint-manager with Roy Evans before taking sole charge just four months later. 

He oversaw a major rebuilding of the squad, signing the likes of Sami Hyypia, Dietmar Hamann and Vladimir Spicer, and bringing through Owen, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher from the youth-system into the first-team. 

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker was also among the first to tweet his sympathies, posting: ‘Oh no! Gerard Houllier has passed away. One of football’s smartest, warmest and loveliest people. #RIPGerard’. 

Gary Lineker was among the first people to speak of their sadness at Houllier’s passing 

Ex-England striker Darren Bent, who played under Houllier at Aston Villa from 2010-11, also paid his respects: ‘R.I.P Boss , You will be missed.

‘Could not speak highly enough of you, not just as a manager but as a person as well. Taught me to see things differently. Condolences to the Houllier family. 

More to follow…  

Darren Bent, who played under Houllier at Aston Villa, also paid his respects on social media