Houllier still wants Ribery
|
Gerard Houllier remains convinced Marseille winger Franck Ribery wants to join Lyon.
The Ligue 1 champions have spent much of the summer trying to persuade their French rivals into selling the coveted Ribery.
Bayern Munich have expressed an interest, while there are conflicting reports concerning Arsenal's admiration for the former Galatasaray ace.
Marseille are determined to hang on to the France international, but Lyon coach Houllier hopes Ribery will fulfil his dream of moving to Stade Gerland.
"Everyone knows Franck Ribery is a player we really like," Houllier told L'Equipe.
"The player wants to join us and we would be happy to get him. Then, we will see."
Houllier also downplayed talk of a row with Mahamadou Diarra, who was unhappy with his coach for discussing his future at Lyon.
"About Mahamadou Diarra, I can just say he behaves in an exemplary way," added Houllier.
Meanwhile, the former Liverpool boss outlined his ambition to guide Lyon to a sixth consecutive domestic title next season.
He continued: "A sixth title would not only be a national victory, but a European victory. The fifth title was a feat and a record for France.
"But the sixth would be the most beautiful to me and to the group. That is the aim of the season, the number one aim.
"The number two aim is, of course, to go as far as possible in the Champions League.
"I believe the most beautiful thing is the national title, above all when no club of a great European league has ever won six in a row.
"Last season we were very close in the Champions League. We played some very beautiful matches and we improved in the game. We get more and more experience every year and now it starts to pay off.
"To win the Champions League, you need to have your best team, get success in your tactical plan and get a little luck.
"Last year in the Champions League, maybe a more efficient forward would have helped us in Milan, but that does not mean we have to get a reinforcement.
"People condemn us on one match, I judge on the whole season. I know where I have to get reinforcements and it is not necessarily in attack, except an opportunity."
The Ligue 1 champions have spent much of the summer trying to persuade their French rivals into selling the coveted Ribery.
Bayern Munich have expressed an interest, while there are conflicting reports concerning Arsenal's admiration for the former Galatasaray ace.
Marseille are determined to hang on to the France international, but Lyon coach Houllier hopes Ribery will fulfil his dream of moving to Stade Gerland.
"Everyone knows Franck Ribery is a player we really like," Houllier told L'Equipe.
"The player wants to join us and we would be happy to get him. Then, we will see."
Houllier also downplayed talk of a row with Mahamadou Diarra, who was unhappy with his coach for discussing his future at Lyon.
"About Mahamadou Diarra, I can just say he behaves in an exemplary way," added Houllier.
Meanwhile, the former Liverpool boss outlined his ambition to guide Lyon to a sixth consecutive domestic title next season.
He continued: "A sixth title would not only be a national victory, but a European victory. The fifth title was a feat and a record for France.
"But the sixth would be the most beautiful to me and to the group. That is the aim of the season, the number one aim.
"The number two aim is, of course, to go as far as possible in the Champions League.
"I believe the most beautiful thing is the national title, above all when no club of a great European league has ever won six in a row.
"Last season we were very close in the Champions League. We played some very beautiful matches and we improved in the game. We get more and more experience every year and now it starts to pay off.
"To win the Champions League, you need to have your best team, get success in your tactical plan and get a little luck.
"Last year in the Champions League, maybe a more efficient forward would have helped us in Milan, but that does not mean we have to get a reinforcement.
"People condemn us on one match, I judge on the whole season. I know where I have to get reinforcements and it is not necessarily in attack, except an opportunity."
<< Home