While four Premier League sides have reached the Champions League quarter-finals, France do not have a single representative in the quarter-finals of either European competition for the second season running.

"Above all, it's the game," Houllier told L'Equipe. "The English league is generally athletically superior. The rhythm of the games is so much quicker.

"The commitment is also very strong, and I don't think there's any better preparation for the Champions League than Premier League games."

On Thursday, France's secretary of sport, Bernard Laporte, announced he plans to launch a study into why Ligue 1 sides repeatedly fail in Europe.

Laporte believes one problem is the gulf in finances between French sides and the rest of Europe.

He told Le Figaro: "When I see the 140 million euro budget at Lyon and 300 million at Real Madrid I start to wonder if such a gulf is normal."

But Houllier, who managed in England for six years before taking charge of Lyon from 2005 and 2007, disagrees.

"I think there are other clubs in Italy, plus Real Madrid, who have as much money as the English sides, so I don't think you can put (their success) down to money, even if it does help to bring together lots of quality players in the same championship," Houllier said.

"I think the English teams are much more tactically sound than 10 years ago. Maybe that's due to the foreign managers.

"There are not many English managers among the top teams in England."

And Houllier reckons it is only a matter of time before Ligue 1 sides come good in European competition.

"Lyon, sooner or later, will come to the top," he said.

"They aren't far off as at times they held their own against Manchester United, who are looking like favourites to win the Champions League.

"There are one or two clubs who are up there, they just still lack experience and stability."