Houllier unlikely to take charge at Newcastle

FORMER Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier — widely tipped for the vacant Ireland manager’s job last night reaffirmed his commitment to the France Football Federation after he was linked with the vacant Newcastle manager’s job.

Former Liverpool boss Houllier is the FFF’s technical director and is thought to be a contender to succeed Sam Allardyce at St James Park.

But FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes last night revealed he has spoken to Houllier and been reassured he would not be moving to Tyneside.