25 Feb 2015
Doha, 25 February 2015. Gérard Houllier, former manager of Paris Saint-Germain, RC Lens and Liverpool, was invited to attend a five-day training program about ‘Sport Diplomacy’ organized by the Qatar Olympic Academy in cooperation with INSEEC University in Paris, as guest of honor.
Through the course of his stay in Doha the Frenchman also visited Aspire Academy. For Houllier it was not his first time at the Academy and he has become a fan of the Academy’s work. “The philosophy of Aspire Academy is very good, especially since they are not only developing football players but also men and it’s important to put education on top of the training.”
But it’s not just the synergy of sport and education that impresses him. “When it comes to being successful in developing young players you need five things: the best talents of the country, proper facilities, dedicated coaches, an age-appropriate program and the opportunity to step up. At Aspire Academy all of those things come together perfectly,” said Houllier.