Post by Taxigirl on Jan 17, 2004 11:46:25 GMT
Gerard Houllier is confident he has nipped speculation in the bud that Martin O'Neill will replace him at Liverpool, after a lengthy discussion with the Celtic boss.
O'Neill has repeatedly been tipped to succeed Houllier at Anfield, with rumours suggesting he would step in for the Frenchman at the end of the season.
The Reds boss has become infuriated with the incessant rumours regarding his position and admits he was unhappy with O'Neill's role in the saga.
But a conversation with O'Neill appears to have resolved the issue with Houllier not anticipating any more concerns regarding his job.
"The Martin O'Neill saga has been going on for about 14 months now," Houllier told the Daily Mirror.
"To be fair to him, he phoned me. I am pleased that he did that. I value our relationship as I told him.
"I also told him that in the English press there were no denials from him, nothing to say it was rubbish.
"At the time when the rumours were reaching their height and in a very light-hearted way, I just said Martin must have very good friends in the press because his name keeps coming out.
"And I said maybe he has a very good agent. I know now that he has no agent, by the way. I think maybe those light-hearted comments had offended him.
"I am sorry about that but we have sorted it all out now and there is no problem. Everything is fine.
"In the first stage, yes, the rumours were irritating. In the second stage, it became extremely entertaining. I mean, it got to the point where Sam Allardyce was being linked with my job last week. That was funny.
"Anyway, as far as Martin O'Neill goes, I don't think the speculation about him and my job will come back again."
Houllier also revealed that he remains convinced key striker Michael Owen will consent to sign a new contract to stay with his only club.
"The board knows that I want to keep Michael," he added. "Yes, I would be disappointed if he goes. I would have to deal with the transition period.
"He knows that the club has always been good to him and from a technical point of view I think it would be better if he stayed longer here.
"If you want my opinion, I think he will re-sign. But if he had to leave for one reason or another, it would be sad but we would handle it.
"When his agent comes back we will sit down and talk about his contract."