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Soccer America Miss The Ball with Gerard Houllier Interview

January 19th, 2008 By The Gaffer --> Comments

What would you do if you had 15 minutes with Gerard Houllier and you had the opportunity to ask the world-class manager any questions you’d like?

If you’re a reporter for Soccer America, you won’t believe what they asked and how out of touch they are with the world of soccer. Let me explain.

On Friday evening, three Soccer America reporters and I had an opportunity to interview Houllier after his coaching workshop at the NSCAA event in Baltimore. The three Soccer America reporters — Mike Woitalla, Paul Gardner and Paul Kennedy — encircled the former Liverpool and French national team manager.

What questions did they ask him?

  • His insight into whether he was considered for the Newcastle, England or Republic of Ireland manager positions?
  • As a former Liverpool manager, his opinion about the way that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has been treated by American co-owners Hicks or Gillette?
  • Or, why Lyon was unable to translate their success in France to Europe under Houllier’s guidance?

No, instead they spent 15 minutes asking basic questions about the French system for coaching young children soccer. Some of the questions included how important dribbling was, how many French youth national coaches there are, how coaches are judged and whether the children in the French academies are allowed home each weekend to spend time with their family.

Ridiculous.

What a waste of an opportunity to speak to a masterful manager such as Houllier. If the reporters from Soccer America had done their research before the interview, they would have discovered the answers to those questions and wouldn’t have needed to waste monsieur Houllier’s time. Heck, they could have watched a few episodes of the “Soccer Academy” TV show on GolTV, or interviewed someone from one of the academies in France.

To me, this is a perfect example of the ineptitude of Soccer America and what a disservice they’re doing to readers of Soccer America and the general soccer public at large.

In those 15 minutes, I only had the opportunity to squeeze in two questions while Soccer America monopolized the conversation (whether France had anything like the NSCAA event, which Houllier answered no and shared how impressed he was with the American event, and whether the rumors were true that he was in the running for the Republic of Ireland position).

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Tags: Liverpool

Viewing 47 Comments

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    Considering Houllier was an architect of the French development system and the US has emulated it, if I were writing for an American mag that's exactly what I'd focus on. The constituency of Soccer America and EPL Talk are completely different. Sure you want to hear about Liverpool and Newcastle but by and large Soccer America readers are the coaches, the youth directors the national team types who in some cases aren't even big on MLS let alone the Premiership. You are the one who has no idea what that magazine or its readers are about if you assail some of the best writers in the country.
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    When I read a post like this, it shows me exactly how out of touch you are with this country and how fast you need to move back to the UK.

    Have you ever thought for one minute that Soccer America really gives a damn about what the hell is going on in the UK? The entire world doesn't revolve around them you know?

    Have you ever thought just for one second that they were possibly doing an article on how America could learn from the French Academy in terms of training techniques and how to teach tactics? Oh wait, the British don't know a thing about training or tactics. And they sure as hell don't know a thing about teaching the youth of the country.

    Pieces like this show exactly how second and third rate this site has become. Do yourself a favor and not write unless you know what you're talking about. Articles like this only make you look like a first rate donkey.
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    I'm sorry gentlemen, but I disagree. Sure, Houllier knows a lot about the development of French soccer, but the questions they were asking him could have easily been answered by doing research ahead of time instead of wasting his time.

    If they were doing an article on the French system, the choice of questions they asked were poor.

    I wasn't expecting Soccer America to focus on EPL-related topics during the interview, but the whole world has been talking about Houllier and the will-he-or-won't-he regarding the Republic of Ireland and Newcastle. For Soccer America to gloss over that wreaks of poor journalism and the fear of asking hardball questions.

    Cheers,
    The Gaffer
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    Gaffer:

    Do you not realize Paul Gardner is considered one of the best soccer writers anywhere in world? That's why he writes for World Soccer, Soccer America and is also featured on countless shows around the globe about the game. Regarding Paul Kennedy he too is man of high reputation in circles around the game. Let me ask you a simple question: Are you merely trying to get attention with your most offensive and poorly reasoned viewpoint? Is anyone whose interests differ from yours about the game a poor journalist? Are you going to allow this website to simply be a forum for muck rackers?
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    You know there is a reason in that 15 minute conversation that you only got two questions in. 1) They are legit journalists who actually make a living within the profession and actually answered he wanted to answer and 2) He probably took one look at you and went 'don't need to bother with him'.

    The fact you got that close to three of the best soccer writers in this country is something you should have been honored about. Instead this will probably be the last time you ever get credentialed at this event, and it's only going to be comical to hear you cry about it next year. The reality is you should have never gone and this post and your subsequent reply shows it.

    What's next you announcing you're going to be affiliated with WSD?
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    I don't think Gardner would ever miss an opportunity to bash Liverpool or the English system. I am surprised he didn't ask Houllier why France is so superior to England.

    Regarding your view Gaffer, I support you, but do realize this was an AMERICAN convention regarding AMERICAN issues. Hicks and Gillet may carry US passports but they have no connection whatsoever to this country's soccer community. Keep that in mind. I think the folks above have been harsh towards you but I don't blame SA either for their questions.
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    Gaffer,

    You are the one out of touch on this one. Soccer America is a niche magazine with a niche audience. They don't cover English Football. I read Soccer America from time to time to find out if their is a local camp or soccer related show. That's the purpose of the publication not to cover Liverpool or Ireland.

    Your most recent podcast that I downloaded just now was nice. Good work, but keep some of these things in context for the future and don't resort to Sun or Daily Mail type hyperbole and it will serve you better. Just a little constructive criticism.
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    You go to an NSCAA event and then come out criticizing the one publication those of us in this country can rely for information related to conventions like the one you attended??

    Unreal. Gaffer, always liked your work but two posts this week have shown you are trying to such up to the American hating snobs among the soccer community in this country. The types of people Paul Gardner ironically despises.
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    Do you know how many people in this country rely on Soccer America for reliable information?

    The writers you mention are seasoned professionals who don't put out amateurish looking television clips on You Tube and them pull the show when you get some bad feedback on a survey. They are at the top of their profession something, sir you should aspire to be.

    This website serves a very small audience compared to the loyal readers of Soccer America. I used to like this website until it took a decidedly hostile turn to Americans who have more soccer interests than simply what is going on in England. This site and others keep forcing the Premier League down our throats. We're forced to believe our players, coaches and tactics are inferior to that of a nation that can't even qualify for its own continental tournament. Anybody with an opinion supporting MLS or US Soccer are run off the a certain radio show in this country run by ex-pats whose sole goal seems to convert the masses of newly minted American fans to the British game.

    The British Empire sun set so now its minions across the globe are determined to conquer football fans everywhere by criticizing all localized forms of the game or publications.

    Why don't you do us a favor. Interview Paul Gardner and ask him point blank why he shut you out of time with Houllier and why he asked what you consider stupid questions which nobody cares about. Then again someone of Gardner's status doesn't do interviews with a lowly minion like yourself.

    Farewell forever from this "rubbish" web page.
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    Gaffer......don't let these mindless Yanks who know nothing of the superiority of English Football and who want to defend Hicks and Gillet influence you. Those Yank journals were just covering for the pillage of Anfield.
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    This website is garbage. Utter Garbage. To assail the reputations of the very men and publications that have given the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful game in this nation shows you are nothing but a two bit wanna be soccer writer. Go back to covering rock n roll. That was a beat you were actually decent on.
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    ASRW,

    EPLTalk.com has double the amount of traffic that SoccerAmerica.com sees. Take a look at http://www.quantcast.com/socceramerica.com to see that Soccer America has 6,073 unique visitors a month. EPL Talk, in comparison, has 15,809.

    Cheers,
    The Gaffer
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    Well Gaffer that is nice, but how many print subscribers does EPL Talk have a month, and how many football shows around the world approach EPL Talk talent for commentary the way Soccer America and Paul Gardner are on various shows around the globe?
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    Okay enough. Gaffer was wrong headed and insulting in his post, but no need to make this personal. He just made a mistake. A bad one, but just a mistake. Cool down brothers.
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    I don't get it, this over reaction. This site is called EPL Talk dotcom, as in Premier League.
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    Well, a real hornets nest here on this. First of all Gaffer, your comments went a bit far. Soccer America should ask questions that there target audience cares about. Even highly motivated soccer fans in the US don't care who gets the Irish job and why Newcastle took a pass.

    On the other hand the writers should always be looking to break a story about major football issues and may have wanted to get an anwser that could be a major international headline. It's a balancing act.

    On the other hand this website has done a great deal to create interest and support for the game in the US. It's a worldwide resource and is centered on the EPL. However, there is no way to extract the EPL from other soccer news and events since the EPL maybe the top name in football especially in English speaking countries.

    so, the old saying applies here, two wrongs do not make a right and I look forward to the promised new additions and a bit of stability in the site.
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    I don't know anything about Soccer America but it sounded to me like the subjects they were asking about (development of both youth and coaching) are precisely what has led to the French national team success of the last ten years (one World Cup, one European Championship, another World Cup Final) and therefore probably more relevant to their audience than insight into Newcastle/Lyon/Liverpool/Ireland.

    I hope that was constructive criticism and not as unnecessarily over the top as some of the previous comments.
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    Gaffer:

    I am shocked by this post. If I didn't know you well and like you and also understand that this attitude really isn't you I'd be marching along with those earlier posters on this: heck I'd be leading them.

    I know you've tried to follow soccer from afar here in south Florida for years so I am a little shocked that you have completely forgotten what Soccer America is about and what a great resource that publication is for those involved in the game at its most basic form.

    Soccer America as someone said above is a very specific, grassroots oriented niche publication. It focuses on the American game and heavily on youth and youth development. That's where the whole issue of the French system comes in. As you know Gaffer the French system and academy is the envy of the world. England who most of the readers of this site follow doesn't even have a developmental system or national academy. Houllier was one of the architects of the system. If I had 15 minutes with him I'd ask almost the same exact questions with maybe two different questions- ask him about winning the UEFA Cup and also how he was able to handle Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler's personalities. The rest would be on the same topics the SA writers discussed.

    Mike Woittala is far from my favorite, but Paul Gardener is about the best writer anywhere. Not just in the US, but anywhere. Gaffer, you know he does research and you know he knows the game probably better than any of us. So why did you take this shot at him? Honestly, I know you and know your work and if this is a second cheap backhanded attempt to appeal to an American phobic audience (namely in the UK) it's pathetic and not representative of the type of work you typically do. I'd seriously consider if I were you toning down the rhetoric when it comes to certain subjects related to US Soccer to keep some of your audience. As I said earlier I feel the same sentiment as the above posters all of whom I assume are American and reacted the same way I did when I woke up this morning and saw this. However, I know you, you unlike them