"It was not good timing that Sven went to see Abramovich and then, two days later, that there were stories saying that Chelsea wanted Steven Gerrard," said Houllier. "We were told at the time that it was pure coincidence.
"As it is, Stevie wants to stay here but it was certainly not the best timing. I know this will generate headlines but at the end of the day I don 't care.
"There's no resentment, no reproach and he does what he likes to do and lives his life the way he wants to.
"But I was a bit upset that two days after his meeting the Gerrard stories were all over the newspapers."
Eriksson has made no secret of his desire to return to club management when his spell as England coach is over and many believe that he has already agreed to take over from Ranieri at Chelsea.
Houllier's accusations that Eriksson is abusing his position as England coach to lay the groundwork for a future career with Chelsea are believed to echo what several other Premiership managers are thinking.