Djorkaeff hails Houllier revolution

French star Youri Djorkaeff claims countryman Gerard Houllier’s impact on Liverpool has been “massive”.

And the former World Cup winning hero admits he feels great national pride when he views the contribution that Houllier and fellow countryman Arsene Wenger have had on English football.

Djorkaeff comes face to face with the coach who was the French technical director during their successful World Cup campaign of ’98, when his new club Bolton clash with Liverpool at the Reebok.

And it will give Djorkaeff the chance to meet up with his friend again for the first time since Houllier’s recovery from heart surgery last season.

Djorkaeff said: “I was obviously concerned with Gerard’s health. I tried to ring him when he was ill, but I just couldn’t get through to wish him well. I will look out for him on Saturday to see how he is.”

And Djorkaeff is hugely impressed with Houllier’s achievements at Anfield.

He said: “He has made a massive impact at Liverpool. It is not an easy thing to come to another country as a manager and do what he has done.

“It is very difficult to come to such a great club and make so many changes, bringing in so many new players. But he has done it well and they are one of the three sides who can win the championship.”

He added: “It is similar to Wenger at Arsenal, they have both done so well. We in France are very proud that two Frenchmen have made such an impact on English football.

“What they have done is clearly very good for English football. Now I am looking forward to meeting Gerard again. He was technical director in France when we won the World Cup and had a big part to play in that, so I am very aware of his talents.”

Bolton, who beat Manchester United in midweek and face Arsenal next weekend, said: “We are playing all three of the championship favourites in the next week or so, and we are aware that one of these three will win the league and of course Liverpool and Houllier have a very good chance.”