Soccer: Houllier on ventilator after open heart surgery

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier was ‘‘stable’’ in intensive car today after undergoing open heart surgery overnight.

The 54-year-old Frenchman was placed on a ventilator after surgeons operated on him for ‘‘several hours’’ at Liverpool’s Broadgreen cardiothoracic unit.

Houllier was found to be suffering from a condition known as dissection of the aorta when he was taken to hospital at half-time on Saturday after complaining of chest pains during the 1-1 draw with Leeds United.

A spokeswoman for the hospital, which is the largest specialist heart and chest unit in the country, today said that surgery had lasted several hours and had been carried out by two of the hospital’s leading surgeons and cardiac consultants.

The Anfield club confirmed that he did not have a heart attack, but that other problems diagnosed and surgery was needed.

It said: ‘‘The operation has been completed successfully and Gerard is in a stable condition.

‘‘As is normal following this type of surgery, he will be monitored in the intensive care unit for a period of time.

‘‘As part of the standard procedure Gerard will be on a ventilator for the next 24 hours and will continue to receive the best possible attention from the staff at the Broadgreen cardiothoracic unit.

‘‘The club do not expect any further news during that period and will not be in a position to comment further. Our thoughts now are with Gerard and his family.’’

The club thanked the many people who had expressed their concern and sent good wishes.

The former manager of France’s national side, who will remain unconscious throughout today, was initially taken to the accident and emergency department of Royal Liverpool Hospital as a precautionary measure and later transferred to the specialist cardiothoracic centre.

A hospital spokesman said today that Houllier was recovering in intensive care, where he was likely to remain for several days.

After the Liverpool match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, assistant manager Phil Thompson said: ‘‘At half-time, when doing our team talk, Gerard, after passing on information to the players felt some discomfort in his chest.

‘‘He immediately went to the treatment room. Our doctor took a look at him and checked him over.

‘‘The players were informed after the game.’’

Thompson, who will take charge of the team for their Champions League match away to Dynamo Kiev, later arrived at the hospital where he stayed for several hours.

He was today due to fly out with the team from Liverpool’s Speke Airport.

Leeds United manager David O’Leary arrived at the hospital today to pass on his regards to his close friend and stayed a short time speaking to hospital staff.

O’Leary was not allowed to visit Houllier in person but was briefed on the surgery carried out and asked staff to pass on his best wishes to the Liverpool manager’s family.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted that being a manager ‘‘can damage your health’’ as he sent his best wishes to his close friend and compatriot.

Wenger said: ‘‘It shows that the job can damage your health. Of course, your health comes first but unfortunately we all let passion come first most of the time.

‘‘I hope he comes back very quickly.’’