QPR gets its fifth manager in twelve months
Paulo Sousa is to be the new manager of Queens Park Rangers, the Loftus Road club has announced.
The former Portugal midfielder, who has signed a two-and-a-half year contract with QPR, is the club's fifth manager in just over 12 months.
As part of his national team, Sousa made 51 appearances for his country and enjoyed spells at Benfica, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan. He also spent five years as assistant to former Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.
"I have always wanted to work for a big Club and I am very excited about the opportunity to work for Queens Park Rangers," Sousa told the QPR 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," he said.
QPR are currently 10th in the Championship and Sousa will be under pressure to deliver a return to the Premier League.
The Club's Chairman, Flavio Briatore, said he thought Sousa would be good for Loftus Road: "I have been keeping track of his work for the last few months and he is the right man for our project," Briatore said.
"He has great experience after working with the Portuguese national team and he is part of the new generation of coach. His football career has been highly impressive and he has great knowledge of the game," he added.
Sousa is thought to have got to know Briatore during his time playing in Italy with Internazionale, Juventus and Parma.
The 38-year-old takes over from Caretaker Manager Gareth Ainsworth, who will stay on as part of Sousa's backroom team.
His appointment comes less than a month after the sacking of former manager Iain Dowie.
Dowie, who held the post for just five months, was reported to have clashed with Club Chairman Flavio Briatore over the club's transfer policy earlier this season and was also under pressure from the Formula One boss to get the club promoted to the Premier League. It is also thought Briatore lost patience with Dowie after Rangers won only one of their last six matches.
Sousa will take charge of QPR's fixture against Watford this Saturday.
21 November 2008