Villa manager believes England is ready to host World Cup.
There is now just three days to go until FIFA announces who will host the World Cup in 2010.
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier is back in English football after a six-year absence and he believes he has returned to a country that is ready to host the World Cup.
Houllier, who won a unique treble of FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup in 2001 while manager of Liverpool, is enjoying his return to the Premier League - the latest stop in a career that has secured his reputation as one of the world football’s most authoritative senior figures.
Architect of Clairefontaine (the world-famous French academy) and for many years technical director of the French FA, he assisted Aimé Jacquet when France won the FIFA World CupTM in 1998 on home soil and he has also acted on technical committees for UEFA and FIFA at tournaments in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006.
Following on from the success of South Africa this summer, the tournament goes to Brazil in 2014 and on Thursday, FIFA’s Executive Committee will vote on the host nations for 2018 and 2022 with England hoping to earn the right to follow on from Brazil.
The race for 2018 is an all-European affair with England competing against the joint bids of Spain & Portugal and Holland & Belgium as well as Russia. Houllier believes that England is a compelling candidate to host the tournament in eight years' time.
“The memories of 1998 when France won the World Cup on home soil remain vivid and that special moment acted as a catalyst to bring people together and to generate a communal feeling of euphoria across the country,” he reflected. “There was huge pride and excitement during the whole tournament and everybody, from children to older people, formed a close bond. France was certainly ready for the World Cup then and I believe England is ready now, even though the tournament will not take place for another eight years.
“In just a few months at Villa Park I have been reacquainted with the unique passion of the English game and there is no doubt that England is an unforgettable place to play football or to be involved in football.
"There is something about England that makes it unique and the thought of World Cup matches being played in famous stadiums with their distinctive atmosphere makes England a persuasive choice. I can’t think there is a better place for FIFA to come than England.”
Houllier added: "Football is synonymous with England. Throw in the world’s biggest tournament and you have the perfect mix. FIFA will make their decision on 2 December but, from my perspective, England would represent a perfect choice for 2018.”
For more information or to back England's Bid,
click here This interview comes from the England v France official matchday programme from last week's international at Wembley. Click here to buy online or subscribe.
