FORMER Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has died at the age of 73.

The Frenchman, who also managed Aston Villa later in his career, guided the Reds to an FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup treble in 2001, the highlight of his six-year spell in charge.

Houllier also managed Paris St Germain, Lyon and the France national team during his career.

Houllier’s death was first reported by French media, who said he had recently undergone heart surgery, having suffered from heart complications for several years.

In October 2001, he fell ill at half-time during Liverpool’s match against Leeds and was diagnosed with an aortic dissection which required emergency surgery and led to a five-month spell out of the dugout.

Houllier suffered further health problems while with Villa. He was admitted to hospital on April 20 2011 after falling ill, and would not return to work before stepping down by mutual consent on June 1.

It proved to be his final job in day-to-day management.