 By now, he was a lame duck manager. The board, now forced to acknowledge the hostility in their own stands, made no public statement of support. One of the most dramatic AGMs in the club's history brought farcical scenes where the chairman - who provided over £100m in transfer funds for the manager over five years - said he would consider his position if results did not improve. Houllier sat and listened. The decent thing would have been to say: "If the chairman goes, I'll go with him". He simply repeated his intention to fight on. The Anfield faithful turned the anger towards the dug-out against Manchester City when Houllier opted to protect a 2-1 lead by sending on Biscan in the closing stages. The Kop, who had been singing 'attack', erupted, provoking arguably Houllier's greatest mistake of all. He criticised his own fans. Supporters who, in an overwhelming majority, had backed him during his early difficult days, were now his target. They were not prepared to be accused of disloyalty. "In the word supporter is the word support," said Houllier. "I don't know why they were moaning." At best it was misguided. At worst, it was breathtaking arrogance. Further mediocre performances and an FA Cup exit to Porstmouth poured petrol on an inferno. UEFA Cup despair in Marseille had echoes of the French farces in Paris and Strasbourg during the 1990s which ultimately cost Evans his job. Houllier would not go. The board did not want sack him but was forced into a corner. With Michael Owen stalling on a new contract and Steven Gerrard pursued by Chelsea, the warning signs were clear. Had Houllier left Liverpool sooner, his football obituary would be far more flattering than it is now. For all the flaws which have made his departure inevitable, he leaves Liverpool in a strong position for his successor. There is a good team hiding within Melwood. The club just needs the right man to find it, organise it and bring a sense of fun into watching the Reds play again. The memories of 2001 cannot be erased. The signings of Hyypia, Henchoz, Hamann, Gary McAllister, Milan Baros and Harry Kewell strength-ened the side. The French 'gems' may become superstars. So too may Djibril Cisse - the legacy Houllier will not have time to reap any reward from. Houllier will be remembered as the manager who constructed the strong foundations of a new Liverpool, but did not have the capacity to build on them. A man who briefly promised to restore the club to former glory, but could not add substance to his promises. He was the Liverpool manager who grimly held on to his dream when everyone else had woken up. | 
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