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Paulo Sousa named new QPR boss

19/11/2008

Championship side Queens Park Rangers have appointed former Portuguese international Paulo Sousa as their new first-team coach.

The 38-year-old, who won more than 50 caps for Portugal and spent five years as Luis Felipe Scolari's assistant with the national team, has signed a contract until the summer of 2011.

Sousa has been brought to the club by chairman Flavio Briatore and described the Loftus Road post as "an honour".

"I have always wanted to work for a big club and I am very excited about the opportunity to work for Queens Park Rangers," he told the club's official website.

"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 takes over from caretaker manager Gareth Ainsworth, who will remain as part of the Portuguese's backroom staff.

And the new man's first task will be to take charge of the side's league fixture against Watford on Saturday.

"I believe in playing positive, attacking football," he continued.

"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."

Briatore described Sousa as "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," the Italian explained.

"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."