Houllier expresses interest in coaching national football team

The Czech Football Association has revealed that highly-respected French coach Gérard Houllier, who worked with Czech players such as Vladimír Šmicer and Milan Baroš at Liverpool in the English Premiership, has expressed in interest in coaching the Czech national side. The team is without a coach after Karel Bruckner confirmed his retirement after the Czechs’ exit from Euro 2008. The 60-year-old Houllier’s last post was with Lyon last year. Other possible candidates for the national team post are said to include a number of names inlcuding Brazilian coach Sebastio Lazaroni as well as former player for Bulgaria Christo Stoičkov. The new coach is expected to be named by July 17.