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12/06/2003
Two French-born Premier league managers awarded OBE
Two French Premiership football managers, Gerard Houllier and Arsene Wenger, have been awarded honorary OBEs by the Queen in recognition of their "outstanding contribution" to British football.
The awards will be presented by the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, at a ceremony in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on July 9.
Commenting on the awards today, Jack Straw said: "With skill and passion, Messieurs Houllier and Wenger have led two of the country's greatest clubs, Liverpool and Arsenal, to glory at home and in Europe. And they have become inspirational figures for many in the English and French game, acting as true Ambassadors for Franco-British relations.
"While each of us has our own club allegiance, we are all fans of these two Frenchmen who have become such an integral part of British sporting life. I look forward to congratulating them in person next month and presenting them with the honours they so richly deserve".
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that he was "extremely proud and pleasantly surprised" to be recognised.
"It is a great honour to be given this individual award, but as football is a team sport, I must give a great deal of credit and recognition to everyone that has helped me since I became manager of Arsenal in 1996," he said.
"I'm looking forward to receiving the award in July and also to achieving more great things with Arsenal Football Club."
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier also spoke of the "great, great honour" in receiving the award.
"This award is for Liverpool Football Club, the city of Liverpool and the fans who have always served as an inspiration to me.
"This accolade is an opportunity for Arsène and I to stress how lucky and grateful we are to work in this country in jobs that we love, with people we like very much and respect. To be recognized for my services to football is an immense honour, and I want to continue to contribute to the game."
The honour OBE are conferred by The Queen, on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on those who have made an "important contribution to British interests".
Honorary awards for foreign nationals are made throughout the year and are quite distinct from the Birthday Honours List due to be published on June 14.
(GMcG)
The awards will be presented by the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, at a ceremony in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on July 9.
Commenting on the awards today, Jack Straw said: "With skill and passion, Messieurs Houllier and Wenger have led two of the country's greatest clubs, Liverpool and Arsenal, to glory at home and in Europe. And they have become inspirational figures for many in the English and French game, acting as true Ambassadors for Franco-British relations.
"While each of us has our own club allegiance, we are all fans of these two Frenchmen who have become such an integral part of British sporting life. I look forward to congratulating them in person next month and presenting them with the honours they so richly deserve".
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that he was "extremely proud and pleasantly surprised" to be recognised.
"It is a great honour to be given this individual award, but as football is a team sport, I must give a great deal of credit and recognition to everyone that has helped me since I became manager of Arsenal in 1996," he said.
"I'm looking forward to receiving the award in July and also to achieving more great things with Arsenal Football Club."
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier also spoke of the "great, great honour" in receiving the award.
"This award is for Liverpool Football Club, the city of Liverpool and the fans who have always served as an inspiration to me.
"This accolade is an opportunity for Arsène and I to stress how lucky and grateful we are to work in this country in jobs that we love, with people we like very much and respect. To be recognized for my services to football is an immense honour, and I want to continue to contribute to the game."
The honour OBE are conferred by The Queen, on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on those who have made an "important contribution to British interests".
Honorary awards for foreign nationals are made throughout the year and are quite distinct from the Birthday Honours List due to be published on June 14.
(GMcG)
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