Houllier's team won the FA Cup, Worthington Cup, Uefa Cup, Charity Shield and European Super Cup in 2001.

He is recovering from emergency heart surgery, but was interviewed on the BBC Sports Review of the Year programme via satellite.

The manager revealed he hopes to return to light duties at Anfield next month.

The Frenchman said: "I hope by late January I will be back, and then back to normal by February."

Alongside assistant Phil Thompson, he accepted the award from former Liverpool striker Ian Rush.

Houllier paid tribute to the club's backroom staff, board, players, but most of all, the Liverpool fans.

"No-one knows better than me how fantastic they have been," said the Frenchman.

Later, England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was named Coach of the Year.

Eriksson, who guided England to the World Cup finals, was presented with the award by Sir Bobby Charlton.

Meanwhile, the first Young Sports Personality of the Year award went to 16-year-old sprinter Amy Spencer.