Liverpool dispensed with timeless tradition yesterday when they hired their first foreign coach.

Only 24 hours after the veteran first-team coach Ronnie Moran announced his retirement, the highly respected Gerard Houllier, who had been expected to become manager of Celtic this weekend, was named as joint manager alongside Roy Evans.

Houllier (50), is the former French national coach who served as France's technical director until his contract expired after last Sunday's World Cup final. He is a close friend of Liverpool's vicechairman Peter Robinson and taught English on Merseyside in the 1960s before moving into management.

"Gerard used to stand on the Spion Kop in those days and watch Liverpool, so he already understands a lot about our club," said Robinson, adding that Evans had been fully involved in discussions over the Frenchman's appointment. "In Roy and Gerard have one of the strongest management teams in the country."

Houllier's job title of joint manager is significant, however. Evans was told this summer that he would be given one more season to change Liverpool's fortunes but, although no one at Anfield would concede as much, Liverpool have in reality secured his eventual successor.

Evans said: "The titles of joint manager will cause concern for some and we know there will be problems we have to iron out, but I am looking forward to the challenge and I don't think we have anything to fear."

Houllier's arrival signals the end of the legendary Liverpool Boot Room tradition, which has seen the baton of management handed down to loyal servants in an almost seamless progression since Bob Paisley succeeded Bill Shankly in 1974.

Houllier never played professionally, the amateur team of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage near Boulogne witnessing the extent of his playing abilities. But since he switched to coaching he has earned the nickname The Professor.