Houllier leaves Lyon

Gerard Houllier appeared to rule himself out of immediately taking another job after confirming he is to depart as coach of reigning French champions Lyon at the end of this season.

The former France boss' spell in charge of Les Gones will end on Saturday night after their final Ligue 1 game of the season, against Nantes at the Stade Gerland.

Houllier said he did not have "the time and the energy" to carry on as Lyon coach, and added he wanted to take a break from the game.

Houllier has been linked with a number of clubs throughout Europe, including English side Manchester City and Ukraine giants Dynamo Kiev, but showed little enthusiasm for a fresh challenge in the immediate future.

"I need a break, full stop," he added. "I will not go to another club in France and initially not to a foreign club.

"I am firstly going to take a holiday. I need a rest."

Houllier has been in charge of Lyon for two years, guiding them to their record fifth and sixth titles, as well as two Trophees des Champions successes.

But at a press conference on Friday evening, he claimed personal reasons would lead to him step down a year before the end of his contract.

"I have experienced two exceptional seasons," he said.

"I have driven a Formula One car that had won four grand prix to at first its fifth, a record, and then to an historic sixth.

"We have progressed in these two seasons. I would like to thank the supporters, who have been truly great.

"It is uniquely for personal reasons that I am leaving, not for health reasons.

"It is the end of a coach's cycle at Lyon. I do not have the time and energy to throw myself into a longer spell."

Houllier has maintained Lyon's domestic supremacy since taking over from Paul Le Guen, who won three straight titles prior to the former Liverpool manager's arrival.

Jacques Santini had started the ball rolling with Lyon's first title, in the 2001-02 season.

Houllier had only come in as a replacement for Le Guen after the latter refused to prolong his contract at the club.

But he has failed to make a serious challenge for the Champions League in his time at the Stade Gerland.

Lyon were knocked out by Italian side Roma at the last-16 stage this year, and in the 2005-06 season, they were eliminated by AC Milan in the quarter-finals.

Houllier is confident the club can go on to achieve something in Europe.

"The future will not be more difficult for OL. The team is going to continue to progress, and I am convinced it is going to shine even more in the Champions League."

Houllier revealed he made his decision to leave after the Champions League final on Wednesday, which involved AC Milan and Liverpool.

He informed president Jean-Michel Aulas of his desire, which was granted by the club's supremo.

"Gerard asked me on Wednesday night if I would free him from the year left on his contract," said Aulas.

"I have, after reflection and with thoughts of the future, accepted his request."

Aulas, who saw Lyon run away with another title this campaign, added: "The 2006-07 season will remain among Lyon's greatest, if not the greatest."

Aulas confirmed the quest had already begun to find a new coach, adding that a new appointment would be made within a week.

"I have always said we were on alert," he said. "It will hard to do better, but we are going to do it with passion.

"I remind you that we have won six titles with three different coaches and I am looking to win a seventh with a fourth.

"There are a lot of coaches who want to come here. The successor will be known in less than a week."