Aston Villa will confirm this week that Gerard Houllier is to stand down as manager because of health reasons. It is understood that the Frenchman’s final medical reports revealed that a return to management would put his health at too great a risk.
Houllier, who only took over in September, missed the end of the season because of health problems and is set to leave by mutual consent.
BBC Radio 5 live's Pat Murphy said: "The decision will be in the interests of Aston Villa, not Houllier.
"The delay may be over severance pay. Houllier still has two years left on a contract worth more than £2m a year."
Murphy added: "Houllier and his management team have remained bullish about his prospects of returning to work but a final round of medical tests late last week would have taken the decision out of Houllier's hands."
Medical test results have been studied by the club's owner Randy Lerner and medical staff. Houllier missed the final month of last season because of his heart problems.
Caretaker manager Gary McAllister had been convinced the Frenchman would return to his post and the 63-year-old has played his part in drawing up Villa's plans for next season.
It is understood Villa officials are concerned a return to the dugout for Houllier could cause further health problems and may not, therefore, be fair to him or the club.
He has struggled to win over the Villa fans despite them moving away from the relegation zone and finishing ninth in the Premier League.
Villa have already been linked with Everton manager David Moyes, Fulham boss Mark Hughes and former England coach Steve McClaren as possible successors should Houllier's reign be at an end.
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Sources here.
I do like him as a man, and our final position was actually pretty good, but football is not something worth risking your life for. All the best in retirement Ged.
Houllier, who only took over in September, missed the end of the season because of health problems and is set to leave by mutual consent.
BBC Radio 5 live's Pat Murphy said: "The decision will be in the interests of Aston Villa, not Houllier.
"The delay may be over severance pay. Houllier still has two years left on a contract worth more than £2m a year."
Murphy added: "Houllier and his management team have remained bullish about his prospects of returning to work but a final round of medical tests late last week would have taken the decision out of Houllier's hands."
Medical test results have been studied by the club's owner Randy Lerner and medical staff. Houllier missed the final month of last season because of his heart problems.
Caretaker manager Gary McAllister had been convinced the Frenchman would return to his post and the 63-year-old has played his part in drawing up Villa's plans for next season.
It is understood Villa officials are concerned a return to the dugout for Houllier could cause further health problems and may not, therefore, be fair to him or the club.
He has struggled to win over the Villa fans despite them moving away from the relegation zone and finishing ninth in the Premier League.
Villa have already been linked with Everton manager David Moyes, Fulham boss Mark Hughes and former England coach Steve McClaren as possible successors should Houllier's reign be at an end.
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Sources here.
I do like him as a man, and our final position was actually pretty good, but football is not something worth risking your life for. All the best in retirement Ged.
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