The nomination, which must be ratified by France's minister for sport Roselyne Bachelot, was made by the FFF and is something of a blow to France coach Raymond Domenech who had applied for the role which oversees the entire coaching structure in French football.

Domenech had wished to combine the technical director's role with his current position.

Houllier, who resigned as Lyon coach at the end of last season, was nominated by the FFF as the replacement for Aime Jacquet who retired earlier this year.

Jacquet, the coach when France won the World Cup, had been replaced on an interim basis by Jean-Pierre Morlans.

An FFF statement confirmed the nomination, reading: "On the proposal of French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes, the federal board has decided to present to the minister of health, youth and sports, Ms Roselyne Bachelot, the candidature of Mr Gerard Houllier for the post of national technical director of football."

Houllier, 60, resigned as France coach after Les Bleus failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, but stayed on as technical director with his assistant Jacquet promoted to the role of national team coach.

He has since managed Liverpool and Lyon.