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Post by Macmoish on Jun 28, 2010 8:05:46 GMT
Tabloid: Sousa, Dowie & Adams Linked to LeicesterOr it could well be 101% nothing-to-it!Daily Mail - Paulo Sousa, Micky Adams and Iain Dowie in frame for Leicester hot seatBy Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 7:49 AM on 28th June 2010 Paulo Sousa, Micky Adams and Iain Dowie are early contenders to replace Nigel Pearson at Leicester City. Pearson hopes to finalise his move to Hull this week with the Humberside club looking to hold further talks with Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric and agree around £250,000 compensation. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290121/Paulo-Sousa-Micky-Adams-Iain-Dowie-frame-Leicester-hot-seat.html#ixzz0s8J0u8U3
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Post by Macmoish on Jun 30, 2010 7:16:39 GMT
This is South Wales Wednesday, June 30, 2010, Paulo is bookies' favourite but Huw knows nothing
HUW Jenkins insists he has heard nothing from Leicester City after bookies made Paulo Sousa the hot favourite to take over at the Walkers Stadium.And Jenkins refused to comment on what his reaction would be should the Foxes make a formal approach for the Swansea City manager. Sousa's odds to take the reins at Leicester yesterday tumbled from a distant 20-1 to 9-4, making him the strong tip to succeed Hull-bound Nigel Pearson. National and local bookmakers have said the betting patterns suggest there is substance in the Sousa-Leicester link. But Swansea's chairman has played down the reports and stressed that Sousa is focusing on the start of pre-season training at the Liberty. "I have never had a letter, an email or a phone call from anybody at Leicester City," Jenkins said. Contact "There hasn't been any contact and I have got no idea whether they are interested in Paulo." Asked how Swansea would react should Leicester inquire about Sousa's availability, Jenkins added: "I am not going to comment on that. "I am not commenting on speculation. "I had a meeting with Paulo (yesterday morning) and he is concentrating on Swansea City." Sousa has been made favourite to follow in the footsteps of Pearson, who left for Hull yesterday, ahead of the likes of Tony Mowbray, Iain Dowie and Gareth Southgate. One theory behind the link is the fact that Sousa watched Leicester's play-off semi-final home leg against Cardiff at the Walkers last month. It is believed the Swansea boss was a guest of Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric that day. Bookmakers Victor Chandler said there had been a 'significant move' for Sousa after their odds on the next Leicester manager were first put up on Monday night. "We always put Sousa in contention when we frame up these manager markets as he seems to be a man in demand," a spokesman for the firm said. "But there's not a great deal of money at Leicester, certainly no more than Swansea, and we felt he would be an unlikely candidate. We felt he'd wait for something bigger if anything. But it wasn't long before the initial price of 20-1 was backed. "We cut it to 10-1 and that got backed as well. "We went 6-1, then 7-2 and then 9-4 favourite, and each time it got backed again. "The betting suggests that there is a little more substance to this than just a blind stab in the dark from the punters. It will be interesting to see what happens." Sousa is also attracting money in the Leicester area, with local bookies Mark Jarvis saying there has been a rush of interest in him. "The word on the street is that Paulo is the man for Milan and that's reflected in his odds," said Mark Jarvis spokesman Lee Watts. There has also been speculation in the East Midlands that new investors who are interested in the Foxes are keen to bring Sousa with them. "I think the problem the fans have at the moment is that they don't know to what extent these potential investors will be involved," Watts added. "They don't know if they are looking at a complete takeover or just playing some part in the club's future with Mandaric still at the helm." www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/football/Paulo-bookies-favourite-Huw-knows/article-2359508-detail/article.html |
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Post by Macmoish on Jun 30, 2010 7:18:42 GMT
Western Mail
Swans boss Sousa favourite for Leicester vacancy
Jun 30 2010 by Blair Wood, Western Mail SWANSEA CITY manager Paulo Sousa has been made the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Nigel Pearson at Leicester. With Pearson joining newly-relegated Hull last night, Sousa has been made the 9-4 front-runner to take over the Foxes hotseat. The Portuguese joins the likes of former Celtic boss Tony Mowbray, Iain Dowie and Micky Adams on Leicester’s list. It is understood Sousa is good friends with Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric. The Swans boss was even invited by Mandaric to join him in the chairman’s box as a special guest for the club’s play-off semi-final first leg against Cardiff last month. Mandaric is said to have a “great respect” for the job Sousa did at the Liberty Stadium last season. The former Portsmouth supremo was impressed by the manner in which Swansea finished in their highest league position in 27 years. Swansea challenged for the play-offs right until the final day, despite operating on one of the smallest budgets in the league. With Leicester trying to carry out a significant cost-cutting exercise next season, that ability to work with limited resources will be a big advantage for Sousa. The Foxes are looking to cut their overheads in several departments, which is understood to have been a factor in Pearson’s decision to leave. The lack of finances could, however, prove to be a major stumbling block should any interest in Sousa develop into an official approach. The former Champions League winner still has two years to run on his current contract, so Swansea would be entitled to significant compensation if he were to leave. Having only received a reported £350,000 for Pearson’s departure, Leicester would not be in a position to make a substantial offer for Sousa’s services. Should the 39-year-old be priced out of a move, their attentions would then turn to options like Mowbray and Dowie, who are currently unattached. For the time being though, Sousa remains the favourite with bookmakers Victor Chandler. That wasn’t the case initially, but, after a number of significant bets were placed on him, his odds soon drastically shortened. “There were strong rumours that Tony Mowbray was interested in the Leicester job and he was our clear favourite to start with,” explained Victor Chandler spokesman Dave Jenkins. “We priced up Sousa at 20-1 because, while he is always popular in these manager markets, we felt he would probably have less of a budget at Leicester than he presently has at Swansea City and would be unlikely to leave the Liberty. “However, we soon started taking a few bets on him at 20-1, and we cut him to 10-1. He was backed again at that price and we had to cut him to 6-1. “More money then went on Sousa at 6-1, and also at 7-2. So we ended up making him favourite at 9-4. “It was quite a gamble, and those who backed him are confident they’re right with their information. “Only time will tell if they have got it right, but it would be a bad result for us if he decides to move to the Walkers Stadium.” This is not the first time Sousa has been linked with a move away from the Liberty this summer. He was reported to be on a three-man shortlist for a director of football role at Greek giants Panathanaikos, as well as being linked to the job at Hull. Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has so far insisted his manager is going nowhere though. Meanwhile, the club have announced a change of opposition for their pre-season tour to Holland. NEC Nijmegen have been forced to withdraw from a fixture on July 28 and will be replaced by Sparta Rotterdam, the game kicking off at their ground at 7pm www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swansea-city-fc/2010/06/30/swans-boss-sousa-favourite-for-leicester-vacancy-91466-26753262/
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Post by klr on Jun 30, 2010 9:59:42 GMT
Good luck to him, absolutely exceptional football man IMO, heading to the very top of Football Management.
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Post by Macmoish on Jul 1, 2010 6:31:06 GMT
It's the Sun, so who knows... The Sun Foxes to go Paulo the way By ANDREW DILLON PAULO SOUSA has agreed to become the new boss of Leicester. The Swansea manager will take over at the Championship club following a day of talks with Foxes chiefs. Sousa was the favourite to succeed Nigel Pearson, who quit for Championship rivals Hull, and has beaten off competition from Micky Adams and Iain Dowie. The former Juventus midfielder, 39, impressed City owner Milan Mandaric after guiding Swansea to the brink of the play-offs last season - missing out by just one point in a final-day draw with Doncaster. He has also battled his way back from the disappointment of being axed by QPR after less than five months last year following a fall out with the club's owners. Read more: www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3036619/Foxes-to-go-Paulo-the-way.html#ixzz0sPSrH870 |
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Post by Macmoish on Jul 1, 2010 7:06:15 GMT
Wales online Leicester City ready to make official approach for Paulo Sousa Jul 1 2010 by Blair Wood, Western Mail Add a commentRecommend LEICESTER CITY are weighing up an official approach for Swansea City manager Paulo Sousa. While Swans chairman Huw Jenkins yesterday insisted he hadn’t be contacted by the Foxes, it is understood that Sousa is still one of the leading candidates to replace Nigel Pearson at the Walkers Stadium. The Portuguese is still the favourite for the role with a number of bookmakers and sources in Leicester have indicated he is being considered for the post. One of the main reasons Sousa is being tipped for the job is that he is understood to be good friends with Foxes chairman Milan Mandaric. The former Portsmouth supremo is said to have a great respect for the work Sousa has done with limited financial resources at Swansea and invited him as a special guest in the chairman’s box for Leicester’s play-off semi-final first leg with Swansea. It was initially thought that a potential stumbling block in any move for Sousa would be the need to compensate the Swans. But, considering the size of the Portuguese’s wages and the fact Leicester received a reported £350,000 as part of the deal that took Pearson to Hull, that may not be as prohibitive as first thought. Jenkins though, has so far remained consistent in his beliefs that Sousa will be in charge at the Liberty Stadium when the new season begins on August 7. The former Champions League winner is yet to make any comment on the speculation, but, unless things change dramatically, he is expected to return for the start of pre-season training tomorrow. Murmurs of a strained relationship between manager and the board still persist. But, insisting he meets Sousa on a regular basis, Jenkins continues to deny any rift as the club prepares to try and build on last season’s seventh-placed finish. “I have never had a letter, an email or a phone call from anybody at Leicester,” Jenkins said. “There hasn’t been any contact and I have got no idea whether they are interested in Paulo. “I am not commenting on speculation. I have had a meeting with Paulo and he is concentrating on Swansea City.” www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swansea-city-fc/2010/07/01/leicester-city-ready-to-make-official-approach-for-paulo-sousa-91466-26762215/ |
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Post by funky on Jul 1, 2010 8:47:00 GMT
It's not a brand of football that I enjoyed at Loftus Road but I wish Paulo well.
Can't help but think that he might be better off staying at Swansea though
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Post by Macmoish on Jul 2, 2010 7:21:42 GMT
This is South Wales
if you want out, tell meHUW Jenkins has called on Paulo Sousa to speak up if he wants to join Leicester City as speculation mounts over the future of the Swansea City manager.And the Swansea chairman has also urged his opposite number at the Walkers Stadium, Milan Mandaric, to make a firm approach if he is serious about landing Sousa. Leicester sources have confirmed that Sousa is on the club's radar as they seek a replacement for Nigel Pearson. And the bookmakers were more convinced than ever last night that the Swansea boss is heading for the East Midlands. Skybet suspended their market on who would take over as Leicester manager late yesterday with spokesman Dale Tempest claiming there has been an official approach. But that claim was denied by Jenkins, who told the Evening Post that he remains in the dark over the Leicester link. "I'm very surprised and shocked about all the speculation," said the Swansea chief. "I met with Paulo and (scout) David Leadbeater earlier this week to talk through various things about players and the weeks ahead. "As far as I am concerned, everything has been running as normal. "And considering our relationship with Paulo and with his agent, I would fully expect them, if there was any approach direct to them and not via the official route through myself at the club, to let me know about it. "I think we have enough respect for each other to ensure that they would speak to me about something like this." Leicester need Swansea's permission to speak to Sousa — if they want to — because the Portuguese still has two years to run on his Liberty contract. But the reality is that unofficial inquiries usually come before deals are discussed between clubs. But Jenkins added: "The chairman of Leicester has been in football a long time and I would fully expect him to respect the usual routes that you should go down in this kind of situation. "I can't see how that would not happen." Sousa was at the Liberty yesterday, apparently preparing for Swansea's return for pre-season training today despite one national newspaper's claim that he had agreed to take charge of the Foxes. Leicester have admitted privately that Sousa is a candidate to take the reins — and bookies reckon he is a certainty to do so. "There has been consistent money for him and we believe there has been an official approach," said Skybet's Tempest. "One customer who bets with us, who bets in fivers and tenners and is pretty clued up, has had £200 on at 1-4, so we are expecting something to happen soon." Skybet stopped taking bets last night with Sousa at 1-4 — the same price Roy Hodgson was to be named Liverpool manager before he was unveiled at Anfield yesterday. Victor Chandler were still offering odds about Leicester yesterday, although they also had Sousa the runaway favourite at 1-4. The move could suit all parties, with Sousa's relationship with Jenkins believed to have taken a turn for the worse in recent months. But Swansea are still likely to demand compensation from their Championship rivals if Sousa goes. Leicester received £350,000 from Hull in return for Pearson this week, and Jenkins may look for a similar sum for his manager. gareth.vincent@swwmedia.co.uk www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/football/want-tell/article-2370138-detail/article.html
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Post by Macmoish on Jul 2, 2010 17:46:28 GMT
Swansea Chairman Statement
Statement from chairman Huw JenkinsPosted on: Fri 02 Jul 2010 Club statement from chairman Huw Jenkins Following the recent speculation regarding the future of manager Paulo Sousa, I feel it is necessary to reiterate that Swansea City Football Club has not received an approach, in any shape or form, from Leicester City or any other club for his potential services at this time. I agree that the current uncertainty and continued speculation is not good for Swansea City, especially at a time when the players are returning for pre-season training. It is not only unsettling for the current squad, but also for our new players and the new signings we will be completing within the next few weeks. I fully understand the need to have a stable working environment for the players to work in and I can assure supporters that I am doing everything in my powers to end all the speculation as soon as possible. As a club we do not normally comment on speculation on our official website, but I believe that in this instance the silence is damaging for the football club. I must reiterate again that we have had no approach from Leicester City regarding Paulo. As a football club we have always tried to keep our supporters fully informed on what is happening at the club. We are as open as we can be and I can guarantee supporters that they will be kept fully informed on any developments. Nobody wants another uncertain period following on from the summer we had last season. But, like always, we will continue working hard and remain fully committed to ensure that come August 7 our squad and management team will be stronger, fully focussed and ready to compete in the Championship again. Finally, I would like to apologise to supporters if they think the club has been slow to respond to the speculation, but there has been nothing concrete to report. At this time of year I could spend my whole week responding to media speculation, but I would prefer to use my time strengthening the foundations of the club and ensuring our supporters remain proud of Swansea City. Huw Jenkins Swansea City FC Chairman www.swanseacity.net/page/Latest/0,,10354~2083561,00.html
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Post by Macmoish on Jul 3, 2010 8:09:08 GMT
This is Leicestershire
Swansea City 'unlikely' to resist a Leicester City approach for manager Paulo Sousa
The leader of Swansea City's Supporters' Trust believes chairman Huw Jenkins is unlikely to resist a Leicester approach to speak to manager Paulo Sousa.Sousa is the odds-on favourite to take over from Nigel Pearson at the Walkers Stadium. And Trust chairman Phil Sumbler believes there is a deteriorating relationship between Sousa and Jenkins. "If the chairman is asked the question by Leicester, I don't think he will stand in the way of them speaking to the manager," said Sumbler. "I think that would also be an indication of a breakdown in their relationship." In April, Jenkins denied there was a rift with Sousa after the former Portugal international bemoaned a lack of transfer funds. Sumbler said: "As much as I don't want to see him go, Leicester have a good squad of players and Sousa has a good track record at the top end of the Championship. However, teams who miss out in the play-offs sometimes have trouble bouncing back." Sumpter said coming to Swansea was a "poisoned chalice" for ex-QPR boss Sousa after the achievements of his predecessor, Roberto Martinez. Martinez guided the Swans into the Championship and looked poised to make a challenge for a Premiership spot when he defected to Wigan Athletic. "It was a poisoned chalice for him to come here after Martinez and, of course, he also played free-flowing football, which has not been the case under Sousa." Other Swansea fans have also been critical of Sousa's playing style, which is surprising given Sousa's achievements last season in guiding the Swans to their highest league position in 27 years. Ugo Vallario, of FOSCAFA (Fans of Swansea City), said: "He also produced the meanest defence in the Championship – the trouble is, it wasn't good to watch. "It costs a lot of money to support the team and it has not been entertaining, with goal action at a minimum. Our leading scorer last season was Darren Pratley, and he scored just seven goals. "I don't think Sousa's departure would be met with a great deal of disappointment. He has also only been here for 12 months and hasn't developed any real affinity." Other website comments also question Swansea's entertainment value under Sousa, with one supporter suggesting that Leicester fans "might want to bring a book to read". Another forum member wrote: "I can't recall one exciting game last season, except when we played Cardiff, and that was down to it being a derby game.
"Sousa's way will not attract the younger generation to the club.
"I take my youngster to every match and he has ended up playing games on his phone out of sheer boredom, and sometimes has not even wanted to come.
"His face lit up when I told him he may be leaving."www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/sport/Swansea-City-unlikely-resist-Leicester-City-approach-manager-Paulo-Sousa/article-2373052-detail/article.html
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Post by Macmoish on Jul 3, 2010 8:56:29 GMT
Sousa not at Swansea for First Day back...  No-show by Paulo Sousa fuels Liberty exit rumours
Jul 3 2010 by Chris Wathan, Western Mail SWANSEA CITY began pre-season training yesterday without manager Paulo Sousa, fuelling speculation he is set to be offered the Leicester City job.
Swansea players and staff were left bemused by the absence of their manager at the team’s Llandarcy training base as uncertainty over Sousa’s future at the Liberty Stadium grows.The Swans squad and coaching staff reported for their day of fitness testing at 9am – but Sousa was not present to conduct the standard first meeting, with senior figures in the camp admitting they were in the dark over the Portuguese’s whereabouts. It came as Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric admitted he is a fan of Sousa, the odds-on favourite to replace Nigel Pearson at the Walkers Stadium. And, with Sousa’s whereabouts unknown, Mandaric’s admission he is ready to meet with candidates about the Leicester vacancy only added to the state of confusion. Sousa has thus far not commented on the speculation. Instead, chairman Huw Jenkins issued an official statement on the matter, maintaining he has yet to receive any contact from Leicester – formal or informal – but admitting the silence was “damaging for the football club.” The statement read: “I agree that the current uncertainty and continued speculation is not good for Swansea City, especially at a time when the players are returning for pre-season training. “It is not only unsettling for the current squad, but also for our new players and the new signings we will be completing within the next few weeks. “I fully understand the need to have a stable working environment for the players to work in and I can assure supporters that I am doing everything in my power to end all the speculation as soon as possible. “As a club, we do not normally comment on speculation on our official website, but I believe that in this instance the silence is damaging for the football club.” Jenkins did not comment on Sousa’s absence from the fitness testing sessions or squad meeting yesterday, not in the official statement nor when contacted by the Western Mail. But it is unlikely he or any of the Swansea board would have been impressed by the manager’s no-show when such large question marks loom over his long-term commitment to his current job. One member of staff did insist that Sousa had not been scheduled to attend the fitness testing and would be returning to training as normal on Monday. And Sousa often leaves training organisation to his coaching team. But there were earlier claims he would be present at Swansea University for the tests, having missed the initial squad meeting, Swans officials are now waiting to see whether Leicester do make their formal approach for the former Portugal midfielder, who replaced Roberto Martinez last summer. Officially at least, Leicester need permission to speak to Sousa given the 39-year-old still has two years left to run on his Swans contract. But informal talks are known to be held before clubs begin negotiations in such situations. Mandaric yesterday confirmed Jenkins’ stance that there had not been an approach for Sousa, but was happy to play up his admiration for the former Juventus Champions League winner. And he went on to admit he is ready to take the next step in the hunt for a manager, other sources in the Foxes boardroom having confirmed Sousa is the top target. “Of course I admire Sousa’s style of football and he’s a younger, successful manager, and everyone recognises that.” said Mandaric. He later added: “We are drawing up a very short list, out of 30 or 40 names, of three or four people who we will approach, starting today. “Our objective is to hire somebody and bring them on board by no later than next week. “Our objective is to bring in somebody who has experience of English football. Somebody who has done a successful job previously, at Championship level.” Swansea, though, are keen for any approach to happen as quickly as possible having suffered last summer following Martinez’s protracted departure to Premier League Wigan. www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swansea-city-fc/2010/07/03/no-show-by-paulo-sousa-fuels-liberty-exit-rumours-91466-26777136/
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