Other than his Liverpool connection he's never bugged me that much. Probably cos he's the least annoying out of all the recent ones.Ahh, not so bad then. I'm not up on my Liverpool history. But I've become fond of Houllier now.
Other way round according to the most common story: Leeds rang up Martin Edwards because they wanted to buy Irwin. Then Fergie - being in the room with Edwards at the time - asked if Leeds would consider letting Cantona go. Spur of the moment thing - or so the story goes.
You say that's the most common story, but I've not heard it before. I have, however, heard the "rang up about someone else" story numerous times.
Well, I'm not going to swear that it's the most common story - but it's certainly the one I've heard most often myself. Maybe it's just a mix-up: Fergie called Leeds/Leeds called Fergie/Leeds called Edwards (with Fergie in attendance). I don't know.
It's definitely the story I've heard. Leeds wanted Irwin, ended up selling us Cantona.
We bought Cantona in 92, how long exactly did you think Houllier managed Liverpool for?
I don't think Houllier told him that - it was more that Houllier wanted Cantona to play more regularly (and he wasn't flavour of the month at Elland Road at the time). Here's an interesting piece - seems both Fergie and Edwards have told different versions of this story over the years:
Aye - and according to one story Houllier had mentioned Cantona to Fergie at some point earlier that season, saying it would be good for both parties (France and United) if a deal could be made, since Cantona wasn't getting enough regular playing time under Wilkinson. He obviously didn't have to alert Fergie to Cantona's talent - as you say he was more than well known, having played a part in Leeds edging it over Fergie's United in the league just some months earlier.
Makes sense. Well, Houllier and Ferguson were right and Leeds (and the rest of the PL!) suffered as a result. One of the bargains of the era and probably Ferguson's best signing, in my opinion.
That seems the most likely explanation.
Explaining Fowler's line sniffing by it being some African thing brought to Liverpool by Rigobert Song was mental though.
What's this? I don't know that story!Explaining Fowler's line sniffing by it being some African thing brought to Liverpool by Rigobert Song was mental though.
Do you remember the Fowler line sniffing antics against Everton? It was his response to claims and chants he uses drugs, and it ended up with him being banned for a few matches. In between, it was how Houllier explained it, claiming he was eating grass as they do in Africa when celebrating a goal. Fowler says in his autobiography some journalists told him they had to run out of the press conference just so they didn't laugh in Houllier's face.What's this? I don't know that story!
I know.
I hang my head in shame at not being familiar with Liverpool FC's staff 20 years ago.It's football.I know.
