Premiership: Houllier set to continue Anfield’s French revolution

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is bringing another French coach to Anfield as a replacement for Patrice Bergues, who is joining Lens.

Houllier is refusing to name the new man, but an announcement is expected later this week.

‘‘I can confirm I will be bringing in a French coach,’’ Houllier said.

‘‘I won’t tell you his name yet, but it will come out over the next two to three days.

‘‘He is a coach with the same profile and personality and I know my players will get on with him very well.

‘‘Patrice played a big part in our success this season. He is a very competent professional coach and we will miss him.’’

Liverpool were given a marvellous reception when they paraded their three trophies the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and Worthington Cup around the City yesterday.

But Houllier is already looking to the future with a number of players’ contracts to be sorted out.

Some have only two years to run and the Liverpool boss wants them to either commit themselves long-term or find another club.

‘‘I don’t want players sitting between two chairs,’’ he said. ‘‘They are either with us or want to commit to us or they’re not. If not, then leave.

‘‘I don’t want to be in a situation where we are losing players for nothing. They have to decide for themselves whether they want to stay with us or not.

‘‘I have said before, I think players should want to stay with us but it is up to them.’’