Exclusive by Phil McNulty Chief Football Writer, BBC Sport Online

Gerard Houllier has revealed he never contemplated quitting Liverpool - despite life-saving heart surgery.

And now he intends to stay and fulfil his long-term Anfield vision.

Houllier is back in charge after a five-month absence following an 11th-hour emergency operation when he was taken ill during a Premiership game with Leeds United at Anfield in October.

And, in an interview with BBC Sport Online, his first since returning to the club, Houllier insists he knew he would be back once he had survived his surgery and was able to start his recovery.

Football is my life and my oxygen. I have been in football for 30 years and I don't want to live without it Gerard Houllier

He admits he is lucky to be alive after his illness, but said his passion and drive to succeed is greater than ever after his enforced absence.

Houllier was speaking in the state-of-the-art surroundings of Liverpool's rebuilt multi-million pounds Melwood training complex, revamped to the French manager's exact specifications.

He heard the words of close friends in football, such as Leeds boss David O'Leary, advising him to walk away from the intensity of management with his health intact.

But he has an instant response to the question of whether he thought of leaving: "No. Never. Never.

"It never occurred to me that I would not be back once I knew I would be fine. Once I knew that, I knew I would be back in business.

"I knew it would take time, and in fairness I thought I would be back earlier than I was.

Phil Thompson was Houllier's confidante

"I hope the people who said I should retire from football were saying that because they cared about my health.

"But football is my life and my oxygen and I don't want to live without it.

"It is my passion and I care for Liverpool, my players and this club."

Houllier makes no attempt to hide his feelings of good fortune at coming through such a major operation and returning to the job he loves.

He admitted: "Yes, I do feel lucky and there are several reasons for that.

"Firstly it happened in Liverpool and the city has a very good cardiothoracic centre - and also one of the best heart surgeons in the country was not on his holidays.

My passion and desire for the job is still as strong as ever and I'm not going to step out now Gerard Houllier

"Also it happened at half-time in the game against Leeds and I was able to get away more easily to hospital because the crowds were still inside the ground.

"At the final whistle I might have needed a helicopter.

"Also I might have just gone home and gone to sleep thinking I was just feeling tired. We were also due out on a long flight to Kiev the following day.

"So yes, there are several reasons why I feel lucky."

Houllier stayed involved via regular contact with assistant Phil Thompson and returned to the training ground in early March - a memorable day for the manager.

He said: "The first time I came back was on a Saturday. Phil was in Barcelona and I was with Sammy Lee. The feeling was just great. It was like coming home again."

Houllier's long-awaited return to Anfield was even more emotional, taking his seat in the dug-out for the first time since his illness in the Champions League qualifier against AS Roma last month.

He said: "Only Phil knew I was thinking about coming back for the Roma game.

"People thought it was a gamble for me to come back. I didn't think it was a gamble because I knew my players would be special. I wanted to be close to them."

My vision for this club is to put Liverpool back at the very top. I know the club will give me time Gerard Houllier

Houllier has no intention of reducing his legendary intensity and attention to detail, despite the harrowing experience of his heart operation.

He said: "My passion and desire for the job is still as strong as ever, and from a personal point of view I'm not going to step out now.

"My vision for this club is to put Liverpool back at the very top. I know the club will give me time. "