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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

QPR Confirm Sousa is New "First Team Coach" - "The New Mourinho" ?

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QPR OFFICIAL SITE-
-Queens Park Rangers Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Paulo Sousa as First Team Coach.
- The 38 year-old, who won 51 caps for Portugal during an illustrious playing career and spent five years as assistant to Luis Felipe Scolari with the Portuguese national team, has penned a two-and-a-half year contract until the summer of 2011.
Sousa, who will retain the services of temporary Caretaker Manager Gareth Ainsworth within his backroom staff, will take charge of the R's Coca Cola Championship fixture against Watford on Saturday.
- Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Sousa said: "It is an honour to be part of this project. I have always wanted to work for a big Club and I am very excited about the opportunity to work for Queens Park Rangers.
"I have great belief in my ideas and my coaching ability and I firmly believe I can achieve the objectives set by the management."
Sousa added: "I believe in playing positive, attacking football. To achieve positive results you have to maintain a focused outlook and my team will aim to do this, both for ourselves and for the fans.
"I am looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead."
- Flavio Briatore, QPR Holdings Limited Chairman, added: "Paulo is a very good appointment for this Football Club.
- "I have been keeping track of his work for the last few months and he is the right man for our project.
- "He has great experience after working with the Portuguese national team and he is part of the new generation of coach. He has worked with some of the World's best players and we are excited about having him.
- "His football career was highly impressive and he has great knowledge of the game. After five years with Portugal, he is ready for a new challenge and I am delighted he has agreed to join us."
- Briatore added: "I would like to thank Gareth Ainsworth for his contribution as Caretaker Manager and confirm that he still has a very important role to play at this Club. He is QPR through and through and will work very closely with Paulo as we build for a successful future."
- The Club will be making no further comment at this stage. QPR Official Site - Sousa Appointed


Also: - QPR Profile of Sousa


London Informer/Paul Warburton - Paulo Sousa takes QPR top job
QPR believe they've got the new Jose Mourinho as their eighth boss in two years.
And no less a person than Luiz Felipe Scolari recommended Paulo Sousa to the Hoops, who are set to unveil the Portuguese assistant manager tommorow morning.
Sousa will take charge of the team in time for Saturday's game at Watford with Gareth Ainsworth set to take a place alongside the Portuguese as number two.
Ainsworth had been in temporary charge since the sacking of Iain Dowie last month, but had his ear bent on more than a few occasions by chairman Flavio Briatore who made it plain who he wanted in the team.
Sousa was equally adamant he wanted a free hand to run things, and has got his wish as well as a three-year contract worth around £1million a year - but with massive bonuses for promotion thrown in.
However, a chat with Scolari down the road at Chelsea sealed the Rs job for the former Benfica, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus midfielder.
A Rangers insider said: "He is going to be the new Jose Mourinho with all his flair, charm and talent. Paulo got the job because he wanted it just that little bit more than the rest, and unlike the others is up-and-coming.
"Scolari spoke warmly about his potential, and with Sousa's connections it could be a very exciting time for Rangers."
The Portuguese beat off a challenge from former Italian national team boss Roberto Donadoni, who's been out of work since he was sacked following Italy's disastrous showing in Euro '08 in the summer." London Informer