Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier was recovering in hospital today after undergoing open heart surgery overnight.
The Frenchman was said to be in a "comfortable" condition in intensive care after being taken to hospital at half time during his team's Barclaycard Premiership game against Leeds United yesterday.
The 54-year-old underwent tests in two separate hospitals in Liverpool on Saturday afternoon after complaining of chest pains during his side's match with the league leaders which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Last night doctors said that tests carried out at Royal Liverpool Hospital and at the Cardiothoracic Centre at Broadgreen Hospital revealed that Houllier had not had a heart attack.
But the tests revealed a problem which needed surgery and he was operated on last night.
Today, a spokesman for the hospital said he was recovering in intensive care, where he was likely to remain for several days.
PA