Houllier has still not forgiven Ginola
Gerard Houllier has not forgiven David Ginola for criticising team-mates Eric Cantona and Jean-Pierre Papin before France's 2-1 defeat to Bulgaria that cost them a place in the 1994 World Cup finals.
In a book published on Thursday, Secrets de Coachs (Coaches Secrets), former France coach Houllier criticised the one time Paris Saint-Germain winger for hitting out at international team-mates and ex Olympique Marseille players Eric Cantona and Jean-Pierre Papin.
Cantona and Papin were booed throughout the Bulgaria defeat by supporters at the Parc des Princes ground after Ginola had said the duo were not worthy of a place in the team ahead of him.
"PSG play at the Parc des Princes. PSG's enemy is Marseille. When he says that Papin and Cantona should not play and that he should play instead... he is a bastard because every time Papin or Cantona touched the ball, they were booed," Houllier wrote.
Houllier also said that then assistant coach Aime Jacquet, who five years later led France to the World Cup title, prevented him from kicking out Ginola for his remarks at the time.
"I made the mistake not to kick him out. Aime prevented me from doing it."
Houllier has previously claimed that the flamboyant Ginola, who came on for Papin in the defeat, had "committed a crime against the team spirit" for losing the ball that led to Emil Kostadinov's winner for Bulgaria and both have been at odds since then.
"Without him [Ginola] we would have qualified," Houllier added.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
‘Emery has brought that spark and belief back to Aston Villa – he had a lot to prove after the way things ended at Arsenal, but he has dealt with it and delivered’: Former Villain discusses qualities of Spanish manager
‘There was nothing wrong with Graeme Souness’ ideas after he took over as Liverpool boss – I was just surprised that such an intelligent man could be so forceful’: Ex-Reds midfielder highlights what went wrong for Scotsman in Anfield dugout