Houllier turns down South Korea job

Former Lyon coach Gerard Houllier has joined Mick McCarthy in ruling himself out of the running to be the next coach of South Korea.

The 60-year-old, who is currently France’s technical director, was confirmed on Wednesday by the Korean Football Association as being on the shortlist alongside McCarthy.

But he has now distanced himself from the vacant position, meaning the KFA will have to look elsewhere.

“The result of the final negotiations with Houllier is due to opposition from his family and the French Football Federation,” said an official statement from the KFA.

“As a result a deal was not done.”

South Korea have been without a coach since Pim Verbeek stepped down after leading the national team to third place at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup in July.

McCarthy, who is the current manager of English Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, announced on Wednesday he would be staying at Molineux.