Flashback: Sousa Appointed Manager of QPR

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Flashback: Sousa Appointed Manager of QPR Apr 5, 2009 7:00:01 GMT

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Post by QPR Report on Apr 5, 2009 7:00:01 GMT

Cast your mind back, all those months: To November 19, 2008.....Such a long time ago.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

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

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
qprreport.blogspot.com/2008/11/sousa-is-now-officially-confirmed-by.html

Huw Turbervill The Telegraph - Will Paulo Souza be given the time to make QPR 'project' work?

- So another bright new dawn at Queens Park Rangers, with new manager Paulo Souza declaring: "It is an honour to be part of this project."
- Owner Flavio Briatore also seems to think he has finally got the right man, after Luigi De Canio, Iain Dowie and stand-in manager Gareth Ainsworth's short-lived tenures. Briatore, who arrived at Loftus Road in August 2007, said: "Paulo has great experience after working with the Portuguese national team and he is part of the new generation of coach."
- But before anyone starts looking too far ahead, they might like to reflect on some of the tidings that were expressed at similar junctures in the Briatore era.
- Like when De Canio arrived, replacing Mick Harford, the interim boss who had filled the sacked John Gregory's shoes. "De Canio is fully aware of the high standards and objectives that the new management has set for the future of the club," said chairman Gianni Paladini. "He is ready and eager to take up the challenge."
- De Canio was an impressive, charming and open figure. "I am very excited at this fantastic opportunity," he said. "It will be an honour." No one knows if he returned to Italy by choice in the summer, but I, for one, would like to have seen him continue his good work - they were playing attractive football and he would surely have taken them to the play-offs at least.
- For whatever reason, he went back to Italy, and Iain Dowie was his surprise replacement. A kind of 'back-to-basics, no-thrills' choice. "I'm privileged to have been given the opportunity under the new ownership to return to the club where I served my managerial apprenticeship," said Dowie. "This is a very exciting long-term project."
- Unfortunately it was not a long-term project for him. From the off there were stories of behind-the-scenes rows, and he lasted only 15 games.
- Ainsworth was then given his chance, but despite hints from Briatore that he would like to have appointed him permanently, defeats to Ipswich and Burnley were apparently unpalatable, so they have opted for Souza, the former Portugal midfielder, on a two-and-half-year deal.
- Sousa said: "It is an honour to be part of this project. I have great belief in my ideas and my coaching ability and I firmly believe I can achieve the objectives set by the management. I believe in playing positive, attacking football and am looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead."
- There it is, mentioned again ... 'the project'. An exciting trip to the Premier League presumably, but without breaking the bank achieving it. And preferably playing attractive football, to put on a good show for the fans, and for Briatore and his entourage.
- Souza's CV shows he has real pedigree. He won 51 international caps, and played for Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Juventus, Inter Milan, Parma and Borussia Dortmund.
- He was assistant coach of Portugal, working with Luis Felipe Scolari, now at Chelsea. They will not have far to go now if they want to meet for coffee - maybe there is a good cafe on Holland Park roundabout.
- It seems Souza's English is better than De Canio's, which will help, but he needs time to learn about English football, and time is something that, if recent events are anything to go by, he will not be afforded a great deal of.
- He will, however, have the services of striker Heidar Helguson, on loan from Bolton until January, and he will be in the squad for Saturday's trip to his former club Watford.
- QPR were a striker down, as Rowan Vine has undergone more surgery on his fractured leg. QPR have missed his creativity this season. Telegraph

Press Association - QPR appoint Sousa- QPR have confirmed the appointment of Portugal legend Paulo Sousa as their new first-team coach.
Sousa has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at Loftus Road and will be in charge for Saturday`s Championship clash with Watford at Vicarage Road.
Sousa told the club`s official website, http://www.qpr.co.uk: "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."
He added: "I have great belief in my ideas and my coaching ability and I firmly believe I can achieve the objectives set by the management."
- The 38-year-old, who won 51 caps for his country and spent five years as assistant to former national team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, takes over from Iain Dowie, who was sacked on October 24.
- Sousa, who confirmed he will retain Gareth Ainsworth - who has been in caretaker charge - in his backroom staff, 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."
Chairman Flavio Briatore described the capture as "a very good appointment for this football club".
He said: "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." Press Association

David McIntyre/BBC 606 - Sousa takes over
- QPR boss Flavio Briatore has installed former Portugal midfielder Paulo Sousa as coach.
- Sousa had a glittering playing career and will no doubt be compared to compatriot Jose Mourinho.
- Odds on Sousa being named QPR manager were slashed yesterday, apparently after a massive bet was placed, so someone was very confident ex-Italy boss Roberto Donadoni wouldn’t be tempted to take the job after being approached.
-Several British managers stayed out of the running because of the board’s role in transfers and team selection.
-That was also the case before the appointment of Gigi De Canio 13 months ago, when Glenn Roeder was the leading British candidate.
- Iain Dowie was later brought in because it was accepted by the owners that having a foreign coach brought various problems.
- He also took the role believing he would have ultimate control over signings and other football matters – again based on lessons learned at QPR previously.
- On both counts, there has been a U-turn and Rangers are back to where they started; appointing a suave foreign coach in the belief he’ll weave his magic while his bosses take the wider – arguably more important – decisions.
- A home defeat to Burnley was enough to end Gareth Ainsworth’s chances of getting the job, but he did his managerial aspirations no harm at all during a spell as caretaker.
-Ainsworth enjoyed his taste of the job and is keen for more of the same – and his credentials have been boosted by his time at the helm of such a volatile club.
Ainsworth will have a place among the backroom team at QPR. But when managerial jobs are up for grabs elsewhere in the future, expect him to attract some interest. BBC606

qprreport.blogspot.com/2008/11/sousa-second-choice.html

Last Edit: Apr 5, 2009 7:28:05 GMT by QPR Report

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Flashback: Sousa Appointed Manager of QPR Apr 5, 2009 7:04:46 GMT

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Post by QPR Report on Apr 5, 2009 7:04:46 GMT

From The Mirror/John Cross - FLAVIO SO PICKY WITH SOUSA - Paulo Sousa was last night confirmed as QPR's new boss - but owner Flavio Briatore wants to pick the team. - Former Benfica and Juventus star Sousa was named as first-team coach at Loftus Road, as revealed in yesterday's Mirror Sport.
But QPR owner Briatore has put Sousa in charge of coaching duties rather than naming him manager because he insists on having a hands-on role in team affairs. Iain Dowie was axed as boss after objecting to Formula One tycoon Briatore's interference.
However, Briatore went for Sousa - a member of Portugal's 'Golden Generation' and an exnational team assistant coach - because he is prepared to let the owner call the shots in terms of team selection.
A club insider said: "Flavio wants to be heavily involved, thinks he can do a good job and wants a coach, rather than a manager, to work with the players he picks and signs. Mirror

The Mirror II/Derek McGovern - RESULT!: New boss Sousa will have to do as so-and-so Flavio says so - Iain Dowie's record as QPR manager was so-so but so-so just isn't good enough when mega-rich Flavio Briatore is chairman.
- So Flavio, the old so-andso, has brought in as new manager a man named Sousa.
- Reports earlier this week that Paulo Sousa had been spotted at QPR's training ground surprised even the hardened football fan. Rangers actually train?
- Briatore knows money usually brings success, but this strategy only works if you actually spend some of it. So far the only figures that threatened to go up at Loftus Road this season were the ticket prices.
- Just 13,226 turned up on Saturday, and most of the first team were not among that number.
- Insiders believe they know what Sousa's tactics will be - exactly the same as Flavio's.
- Vc Bet offer 5-2 that Sousa is no longer in charge on the first day of next season.
- That's not the best bet in the world, but it's an awful lot better than so-so. Mirror

The Sun/Paul Jiggins - Paulo Sou right for Rangers
PAULO SOUSA has been confirmed as QPR’s new first-team coach — just as we said he would in yesterday’s SunSport.
The former Portugal midfielder, 38, last night signed a 2½-year deal at Loftus Road but can expect to be no more than a puppet in Flavio Briatore’s Rangers regime.
We told you last month that co-owner and chairman Briatore axed Iain Dowie 24 hours before last month’s clash at Reading because the Italian demanded a say in picking the team.
Midfielder Gavin Mahon admitted after the 0-0 draw with the Royals that the team Dowie selected before he was given his P45 was not the line-up that took to the field at the Madejski.
Briatore was said to be furious with Mahon for speaking to the Press after that game and the player has not started in the three Championship games since.
Caretaker boss Gareth Ainsworth also refused to deny the Italian’s interference when he spoke exclusively to The Sun last Friday.
Sousa, however, is thrilled by his new appointment.
The man who had spells with Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Juventus, Inter Milan, Parma and Borussia Dortmund, 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.
“I have great belief in my ideas and my ability and I firmly believe I can achieve the objectives set by the management.” The Sun

- The Times/Kaveh Solhekol - Paulo Sousa charms his way into QPR hotseat- Queens Park Rangers are hoping that they have found the new José Mourinho after Paulo Sousa agreed to become the club's first-team coach. Sousa, who had been working as the Portugal assistant head coach, was recommended to QPR by Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Chelsea manager. The Brazilian worked with Sousa when he was in charge of Portugal and had no hesitation in recommending the 38-year-old former Juventus and Inter Milan midfield player when he was asked for his opinion.
- Sousa spoke to Scolari before deciding to move to London after the Chelsea manager told him that QPR's offer was too good to turn down. Sousa has signed a 2½-year contract worth about £20,000 a week and will be in charge of the first team for Saturday's match away to Watford.
- “He is going to be the new José Mourinho with all his flair, charm and talent,” a source at the Coca-Cola Championship club said. “Paulo got the job because he wanted it that little bit more than the rest and, unlike the others, he is up and coming. Scolari spoke warmly about his potential, and with Sousa's connections it could be a very exciting time for the club.”
- Flavio Briatore, the QPR chairman, had wanted to give the job to Gareth Ainsworth after the player-coach impressed his employers during his six games as caretaker manager, but the 2-1 defeat at home to Burnley on Saturday convinced the Italian that he needed someone with more experience. Bernie Ecclestone, the co-owner, Amit Bhatia, the vice-chairman who represents Lakshmi Mittal's 20 per cent stake in the club, and Gianni Paladini, the sporting director, convinced Briatore that appointing Ainsworth on a permanent basis would be too big a gamble if the club were serious about being promoted to the Barclays Premier League at the end of the season.
- Roberto Mancini, the former Inter coach, who is learning English in London, turned down the job because he did not want to work in the Championship. His rejection meant that QPR had to choose between Sousa and Roberto Donadoni, the former Italy coach, and the Portuguese got the job after Scolari's recommendation.
- “I believe in playing positive attacking football and I'm looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead,” Sousa said after becoming the club's eighth manager in two years.
- “I always wanted to work for a big club and I'm very excited about working for QPR.”
- Sousa has been given assurances by Briatore that he will have money to spend when the transfer window opens in January and he has also been told that he is in sole charge of first-team affairs. Briatore is a hands-on chairman and the departure last month of Iain Dowie, the manager, was caused by his refusal to pick the players that the Italian wanted in the team. Briatore was said to have had a big say in team selection when Ainsworth, who has agreed to stay as the club's player-coach, was in charge.
- Several British managers are said to have decided not to apply for the job because they were concerned that the chairman would interfere with their work.
- “Paulo has great experience after working with the Portuguese national team and he is part of a new generation of coaches,” Briatore said. “He has worked with some of the best players in the world and we are very excited about having him here.”
- Sousa is unlikely to be the only new arrival at Loftus Road this week, with the club set to announce the signing of Heidar Helguson on loan from Bolton Wanderers until January. The Iceland forward failed a medical in West London last week but the deal was resurrected after QPR agreed to pay half his £16,000-a-week wages and Bolton agreed to take him back if he was injured during his loan spell. The Times

BBC - Sousa is new QPR first-team coach - QPR have named former Portugal midfielder Paulo Sousa as their new first-team coach.
Sousa, who was assistant coach of the Portuguese national team, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract.
The 38-year-old played 51 times for his country and had spells with Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Juventus, Inter Milan, Parma and Borussia Dortmund.
Gareth Ainsworth, who had been in caretaker charge at Rangers, will stay on as part of Sousa's backroom team.
Sousa told QPR's website: "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.
"I believe in playing positive, attacking football and am looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead."
Player/coach Ainsworth was placed at the helm by boss Flavio Briatore following the sacking of Iain Dowie in October.
Dowie was dismissed after refusing to select a team suggested to him by Briatore, who owns the west London club along with fellow Formula One magnate Bernie Ecclestone.
- Briatore had a major say in team affairs under Ainsworth, who was initially the frontrunner to land the coach's job on a permanent basis, despite a number of big names being linked with the role.
- But the search for an alternative was stepped up following Rangers' home defeat against Burnley on Saturday.
- Several British managers are understood to have stayed out of the running for the job because of the R's board's role in team selection and transfers. - Briatore described Sousa's appointment as "very good for this football club."
Briatore added: "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."
- Sousa won the Champions League twice as a player, first with Juventus in 1996 and then Dortmund the following year.
- He also won the Serie A title with Juventus and represented Portugal at the European Championships in 1996 and 2000. BBC

INDPENDENT/Andy Sims - Sousa ready to deal with QPR's great expectations- Paulo Sousa: 'I have great belief in my ideas and my ability, and I want to play attacking football'
- Paulo Sousa, the former Portugal international, yesterday became Queens Park Rangers' sixth manager in a little over a year when he was confirmed as their new first-team coach. Sousa follows John Gregory, Luigi De Canio and Iain Dowie, as well as caretaker managers Mick Harford and now Gareth Ainsworth, who have been dispensed with since Flavio Briatore became the chairman.
Sousa, 38, capped 51 times by his country and a Champions League-winner with Juventus in 1996 and Borussia Dortmund in 1997, has signed a two-and-a-half year contract at Loftus Road. Dowie was dismissed last month amid claims that Briatore, who is also the co-owner, wanted too much say in team selection. But Sousa, who worked under Luiz Felipe Scolari on the coaching staff of the Portuguese national team, is believed to have insisted on being in sole charge of team affairs.
"Paulo is a very good appointment," Briatore said. "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 coaches. 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."
Ainsworth's chances of being handed the full-time role disappeared after last Saturday's disappointing 2-1 home defeat by Burnley, which saw Rangers slip to 10th in the Championship, but the popular winger will stay on as a member of Sousa's backroom team.
Sousa will be expected to mount a promotion bid this season, and the former midfielder has no qualms about dealing with the expectation. "It is an honour to be part of this project," he said. "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 believe I can achieve the objectives set by the management. 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. I am looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead." Sousa's first game in charge will be away to Watford on Saturday. Independent

Telegraph/Sandy Macaskill
- Queens Park Rangers name former Portugal international Paulo Sousa as new coach
Paulo Sousa, the former Portugal international, has been confirmed as first-team coach of Queens Park Rangers after signing a 2½-year contract at Loftus Road.
- The 38-year-old immediately promised to provide attacking football to fulfil the club's ambitions of promotion to the Premier League.
- Sousa is the sixth coach to have been appointed by the club in 13 months, but the Portuguese waved away any concerns about dealing with the pressure of living up to his paymasters' high expectations.
- "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. "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.
- "It is an honour to be part of this project," he added. "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, who has been assistant coach of the Portuguese national side for the past five years, replaces caretaker manager Gareth Ainsworth, who will be kept on as a member of the coaching staff. Ainsworth was initially given the board's backing after Iain Dowie was sacked last month, yet it now appears that the club's chairman, Flavio Briatore, had already earmarked Sousa as a long-term replacement.
- "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.
- "He has worked with some of the world's best players and we are excited about having him," Briatore added. "His football career was highly impressive and he has great knowledge of the game. I am delighted he has agreed to join us. He is a very good appointment for this football club." Telegraph
qprreport.blogspot.com/2008/11/sousas-qpr-appointment-to-assist-qpr.html

Sceptical About Sousa - Mail/This is London - Christopher Davies - Palace chief Jordan says 'know nothing' Sousa is not the man to lead QPR
Simon Jordan, the Crystal Palace chairman, doubts whether Paulo Sousa is the man to lead Queens Park Rangers into the Premier League.
Sousa has been assistant to Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz. It is the first time the 38-year-old will take charge of a team and Jordan believes it is significant that the Portuguese has the title of first team coach.
Jordan, whose team are 17th, 10 places below QPR, joked that co-owner Flavio Briatore, who allegedly has an influence on team selection, is really the manager.|

He said: 'I think it's brilliant that a guy who knows nothing about the Championship has been appointed. The terminolgy is important. Isn't Briatore the manager?
'I was more concered when Rangers appointed Iain Dowie because although I don't have a lot of regard for him, he knows the Championship.

'Paulo Sousa knows next to nothing about the Championship which is a very specific league. You need a special knowledge of it to get out of it and you can't buy this.
'When Portsmouth finally got out of Championship they did it with an experienced manager in Harry Redknapp.'

Palace are just above the relegation zone but Jordan is convinced Eagles boss Neil Warnock is the best manager in the Championship.
He said: 'I thought that when Neil was at Sheffield United, too. I used to use United as a benchmark for us. He's the best manager in the Championship and he would be the difference between Palace being promoted or not. Managers are very important in this league.' Mail

Paul Parker/Setanta - You can't buy your way to The Premier League
Paulo Sousa has been appointed as the new Queens Park Rangers first-team coach and he comes into The Championship as a foreign manager without the experience, that worries me.

I think you need a bit of grit or at least experience down there because it doesn’t matter how much money you’ve got, it doesn’t guarantee you that Championship.

As long as the owner has relinquished the strings I think there might be a chance for him but you need a bit more than that. QPR are the team to beat in the division because they’ve got money behind them. But I don’t know if they’ve gone in the right direction with that manager.

His first job is to take three points in his next game, that’s a must. He’s got to go on an unbeaten run, which not many teams do in The Championship. If there’s money in January then maybe he can make a few changes.

There’s a lot of infuriated fans down at QPR – not just for the football but for what’s happening with the prices. All they want is their club back in The Premier League and I believe a team like QPR should be in the top division.

But they’ve got to do it right on and off the park and at the moment they’re chasing things in the wrong way. you’ve got to have the money to spend and spend it wisely. Setanta
qprreport.blogspot.com/2008/11/sceptical-about-sousa.html

Last Edit: Apr 5, 2009 7:10:59 GMT by QPR Report

Gianni Paladini to QPR Report: "I would like to thank you for all your time and efforts that you put into QPR. I think you are doing something useful and informative for the club and the supporters."

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Flashback: Sousa Appointed Manager of QPR Apr 5, 2009 7:05:55 GMT

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Post by QPR Report on Apr 5, 2009 7:05:55 GMT

Sky: Sousa - No promotion pressure
New QPR boss looking to make his mark
- Paulo Sousa has told Sky Sports News he is under no pressure to secure promotion at Queens Park Rangers this season.
- Former Portugal international Sousa has been appointed as QPR's new manager following last month's sacking of Iain Dowie.
- Sousa has been working with the Portugal national team and the Loftus Road position is his first job in club football.
- He is looking forward to managing the Championship side and says chairman Flavio Briatore has not demanded immediate promotion to the Premier League.
- Solid
"No, he doesn't tell me anything about that," Sousa told Sky Sports News when asked if his target is to secure top-flight football this term.
"He doesn't put pressure on me, not for this season and not for next season.
"The project is to be solid because when you go into the Premier League you have to be so solid so you can remain in the Premier League. This is the most important."
The ex-Benfica and Juventus midfielder also insists he has control over team affairs amid rumours that Briatore has previously had a hand in picking the team.
He added: "I'm in charge. I have all the respect for everyone, but I have free ideas and free decisions."
Sousa is also hoping he can eventually clinch Premier League football for QPR in order to come up against Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari after the pair worked together with Portugal.
"I will fight for that," he continued. "If I win more than the others I will be in the Premier League and I will play against him.
"Of course I want to be at that level, but I know the reality. Dreaming is good and I like to dream - Sky

qprreport.blogspot.com/2008/11/sousa-not-demanding-instant.html

Sam Wallace/The Independent
"...If you want English managers to succeed, for the England team to be successful one day under an English manager, then there should be a part of you that wishes Shearer well. He represents a whole generation of former English footballers making their way in management. Something to cling to in these mad times when Queen's Park Rangers appoint a Portuguese bloke on the basis he was once a good player, even though his entire management experience concerns coaching an Under-16 team.
- If there is a place for Paulo Sousa in English football, there has to be one for Shearer too. Naturally, he will be picky because, unlike famous former England internationals from Sir Bobby Charlton to John Barnes, he will not want to be perceived as a failure in his first management job. A good way to make sure that is not the case is to start somewhere, anywhere, other than his beloved Newcastle. The Independent

Neil Warnock/Independent4. Flavio Briatore might have met his match in Sousa

- I can't say I know Paolo Sousa, the assistant coach from Portugal's national set-up, who has been hired as QPR's boss. If I'd had the chance to talk to him I might have told him already that life's far more difficult in the Championship than in the Premier League, because the standard of players just isn't as good and it's harder to win things. Sousa's impressed me already, though, and I'm enjoying watching how he goes on.
- He obviously wants to have his say on selections, which was the cause of all the problems for Iain Dowie, his predecessor at Loftus Road. I'm not sure about the level of investment Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone have put in – there aren't the big-name signings you might have expected – but they are not going to have a better chance of going up to the Premier League than they'll get this season. I only see three, maybe four teams, being ahead of all the others and it's there for anyone's taking among many of the rest. Sousa looks like he's going to add to the drama..." Independent

Last Edit: Apr 5, 2009 7:14:59 GMT by QPR Report

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Flashback: Sousa Appointed Manager of QPR Apr 5, 2009 7:07:58 GMT

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Post by QPR Report on Apr 5, 2009 7:07:58 GMT

Sam Wallace/The Independent
"...If you want English managers to succeed, for the England team to be successful one day under an English manager, then there should be a part of you that wishes Shearer well. He represents a whole generation of former English footballers making their way in management. Something to cling to in these mad times when Queen's Park Rangers appoint a Portuguese bloke on the basis he was once a good player, even though his entire management experience concerns coaching an Under-16 team.
- If there is a place for Paulo Sousa in English football, there has to be one for Shearer too. Naturally, he will be picky because, unlike famous former England internationals from Sir Bobby Charlton to John Barnes, he will not want to be perceived as a failure in his first management job. A good way to make sure that is not the case is to start somewhere, anywhere, other than his beloved Newcastle. The Independent

The Sunday Times/Richard Lewis - Paolo Sousa orchestrates QPR march up table- IN THE two weeks since Paulo Sousa took charge of Queen’s Park Rangers, they have discovered a swagger and a substance that yesterday proved too much for the Championship leaders.
- A match played at a frenetic pace - you did not need to guess that the home team are owned by Formula One bosses, such was the speed with which they attacked - was decided by a brilliant goal by Martin Rowlands.
- Rowlands replaced the suspended Mikele Ligertwood while on-loan striker Heidur Helguson marked his home debut with a start.
- Across London, at Totten-ham Hotspur , the j u r y remains out on their error-prone Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, but in the opening 15 minutes of this second-half, the man who left Spurs for QPR in the summer proved decisive. Radek Cerny, the QPR goalkeeper, made two excellent saves from David Jones and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, to prevent Wolverhampton Wanderers taking the lead, and by the 63rd minute it was the home team that were ahead.
- A quick move saw the ball find its way to Rowlands 20 yards out. The Rangers captain scored his second goal of the season, unleashing a spectacular shot that gave Wayne Hennessey, the Wolves goalkeeper, no chance as the ball dipped over him.
- It was exactly what Rangers deserved on what had been a difficult evening for Wolves from the start.
- Beforehand, Mick McCarthy, the Wolves manager, warned how tricky a match it might be, even though QPR started 18 points behind the side at the top.
- The appointment of Sousa, the former Portugal midfielder, has brought with it a fresh optimism and QPR’s intent to attack was evident from the start.- Patrick Agyemang was clean through after only seven minutes but drove his shot at Hennessey before then having another shot go wide.
- Lee Cook had Rangers’ best chance of the first half when, five minutes before the break, he was unmarked 12 yards out. But his low drove was pushed out by Hennessey.
- Two minutes after the restart the Wolves goalkeeper saved well with his legs as Helguson, making his full debut on loan from Bolton, broke clear.
- Rangers’ pressure paid off, and such was the command of their defence that by the 77th minute McCarthy had replaced both his strikers, the men whose 25 goals between them had seen his side arrive at Loftus Road unbeaten in eight matches.
- But Sam Vokes, who came on for the inform Chris Iwelumo, could not find a way through, forcing Cerny into another fine stop, the goalkeeper diving to his left to catch the ball.
- It was a superb result for Sousa. In the three matches for which he has had control of the team they have remained unbeaten and they were so close to adding a second in stoppage time as Samuel Di Carmine drove just wide.
- Within seconds the final whistle went, for a win that puts Rangers seventh in the table.
Star man:Radek Cerny
QUEENS PARK RANGERS:Cerny 8, Ramage 7, Stewart 7, Gorkss 7, Delaney 7, Ephraim 6, Mahon 6, Rowlands 7, Helguson 6 (Tommasi,77min; Agyemang 5, Blackstock 5 (Cook, 26min, 6, Di Carmine 89min)
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS:Hennessey 6, Foley 5, Stearman 6, Mancienne 6, Ward 6, Edwards 5, Jones 6 (Jarvis 57min 5), Henry 6, Kightly 6, Ebanks-Blake 5 (Keogh 77min 5), Iwelumo 5 (Vokes, 73min 5)
Referee:I Williamson Attendance:13,416 Sunday Times

INDEPENDENT/Conrad Leach - Rowlands scorcher so sweet for Sousa -Paulo Sousa has only been the Queens Park Rangers manager for a fortnight, but on the back of an unbeaten start, crowned by this impressive and deserved win over the Championship leaders, he has started to instil some belief in his players and supporters.
-The Portuguese had kept the west London club on the coattails of the play-off zone with a win and draw in his first two games and, thanks to this win, they now stand just outside it, on goal difference, thanks to Martin Rowlands' goal.
-With 63 minutes gone, the hosts had just survived Wolverhampton's best chance when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake glanced a header six yards out that should have had more power.
-However, Radek Cerny still had to make a good save, diving backwards and stopping the ball on the line. From the ensuing break, Rowlands received the ball 20 yards out and thumped his shot over Wayne Hennessey in the visitors' goal.
-Sousa was rightfully happy. "This was a great performance but more than that, we won three points. This was very important and near perfection. Beating the team top of the league was even more impressive," he said.
-It was the least QPR deserved for having dominated Mick McCarthy's Wolves, whose six-point lead at the top of the table at the start of the day was trimmed to three by Birmingham's victory against Watford. Not that McCarthy was about to get too down. "We played badly for 55 minutes but well for the rest. We are top and people want to beat us."
-This was Wolves' first defeat in nine league games. They were hesitant in defence, epitomised by Michael Mancienne, the promising central defender on loan from Chelsea, who was nervous throughout, including letting a pass slip under his foot which should have seen Patrick Agyemang score.
-After half-time, Wolves perked up, with Cerny pushing a David Jones free-kick on to the post and the Czech then dived full length to keep out two long-range efforts from substitute Sam Vokes but it was Rowlands whose aim was truest from distance." Independent

THE PEOPLE/Jack Steggles - QPR 1-0 WOLVES- Wolves had their march at the top of the Championship brought to a halt by Paulo Sousa and his rapidly-improving Rangers.
- Acracking 63rd-minute dipping strike from Martin Rowlands condemned the men from the Molineux to their first defeat in nine games, and only their fourth of the season.
- And although the Mick McCarthy's men staged a strong finish - forcing three fine saves from Rangers keeper Radek Cerny - they can't really complain about the outcome.
- Wolves did not start playing until it was too late. The Hoops had the upper hand for much of the contest and deserved their victory.
- Table-topping Wolves went into the match with an impressive record of seven wins and a draw from their previous eight games.
- They had won four on the spin away from home and presented Rangers' new boss Sousa with his toughest test so far.
- But Sousa - a product of Portugal's golden age - is making a big impression at Loftus Road after only four matches in charge.
- And Rangers had the first chance after two minutes. It fell to Heidar Helguson, making his full debut after joining on loan from Bolton.
- But the striker, guilty of a horror miss after getting on as a sub at Palace last week, fired over with a left-foot shot on the turn.
- Rangers were much the livelier side and had another great chance after seven minutes.
- This one fell to Patrick Agyemang, sent clear on a through pass from skipper Rowlands.
- Keeper Wayne Hennessey dashed from his line to get Wolves out of jail by spreading himself and saving with his legs.
- Dexter Blackstock was next up as the Hoops piled forward, but the striker sthingyed a left-foot shot weakly off target when under no pressure.
- Despite the home side's domination, Wolves went close to grabbing the lead in the 24th minute, midfielder David Jones shaving the far post with a left-foot shot after a free-kick was rolled to him.
- Sousa showed he was a man of action by dragging off the disappointing Blackstock midway through the first half and sending on winger Lee Cook in his place.
- And Cook forced Wales international Hennessey into action with a left-foot effort that produced a fine save as Rangers continued to call the shots.
- Sousa's men emerged from the break in determined fashion and Hennessey came to Wolves' rescue again by saving from Helguson.
- Wolves also owed a big debt to Richard Stearman, outstanding at the heart of their defence.
- McCarthy's team were still second best.
- But they came close to sneaking the lead when another effort from Jones brought a fine save from Cerny.
- Cerny also saved again - this time from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake before Rowlands gave Rangers a richly deserved lead with a 63rd-minute rocket.
- The midfielder picked up the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a vicious shot straight down the middle of the goal which dipped wickedly to beat Hennessey.
- Qpr: *CERNY 8* - Ramage 6, Stewart 6, Gorkss 6, Delaney 6 - Rowlands 7, Mahon 7, Ephraim 6 - Helguson 6 (Tommasi, 78mins) - Blackstock 4 (Cook, 27mins, 6; Di Camine, 89mins), Agyemang 8.
Wolves: Hennessey 7 - Foley 6, *STEARMAN 7, Mancienne 5, Ward 5 - Kightly 6, Henry 6, Jones 6 (Jarvis, 58mins, 6), Edwards 6 - Ebanks-Blake 5 (Keogh, 78mins), Iwelumo 5 (Vokes, 71mins). Referee: I Williamson 6 The People

Last Edit: Apr 5, 2009 7:12:51 GMT by QPR Report

Gianni Paladini to QPR Report: "I would like to thank you for all your time and efforts that you put into QPR. I think you are doing something useful and informative for the club and the supporters."