Houllier: PSG must win pretty

Gerard Houllier has warned new Paris Saint-Germain manager Laurent Blanc that he must win in style to appease the club’s fans this season.

PSG secured their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years under Carlo Ancelotti last season, before the Italian moved to Real Madrid, beating Marseille into second place by 12 points and racking up an impressive goal difference of +46.

And Houllier, who was manager when the club won their first league crown in 1986, has challenged the former France national team boss that style over substance will be required again at the Parc des Princes.

“PSG cannot win in any way,” the 65-year-old told Le Parisien .

“They must win and please the fans, ensuring a quality show. This is essential. Not necessarily every game, of course, but as often as possible.

“In France, we do not always like this idea. We think that only the result counts.

“But today, if a team plays boring football, it will eventually be abandoned by his own fans. Before, this was not the case. “

Houllier was also excited by PSG’s potential acquisition of Edinson Cavani from Napoli.

The Uruguay international has been strongly linked with a move to Paris, as well as Real Madrid and Chelsea, with Houllier believing the striker would act as the perfect foil for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in PSG’s attack.

“When (Ibrahimovic) wants to play, he is the best in the world,” he added.

“When you have a player like him in a team is a very good thing. When we have two, however…

“Before observing Cavani during the Confederations Cup, I thought it was just a star who stood up front.

“In fact, he works hard for his team. He works like crazy, on the right and left.”