Sousa Linked to Swansea?

Or maybe a club that appreciates him?

And Western Daily Mail
"...Sousa has emerged as the hot favourite....has held talks with the Swans"

Western Daily Mail/Blair Wood
- "....UEFA Champions League winner and Portuguese legend Paulo Sousa has emerged as the hot favourite for the vacant Swansea City manager’s job.
The Western Mail understands the former QPR boss has held talks with the Swans and is at the top of their short-list as the board seek Roberto Martinez’s successor.
Ex-Chelsea star Gus Poyet and Wales legend Gary Speed have also been interviewed for the post</strong>.
- However, it is thought that early front-runner Speed has dipped down the pecking order, with Sousa very much the bookies’ favourite for the job.
Rotherham manager Mark Robins, Southend boss Steve Tilson and ex-Watford chief Adiy Bothroyd are also being eyed by the Swans.
- Former Portugal international Sousa, who won the Champions League with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund in the mid-1990s, has a very similar management style to Martinez.
- Like the Spaniard, he has a strong knowledge of the European transfer market, a key credential for the Swans’ board seeking Martinez’s full-time replacement.
Those attributes were clearly evident during Sousa’s short spell with QPR last season.
- But his reign at Loftus Road was abruptly cut short when Sousa was sacked for “divulging sensitive information without permission from the club’s hierarchy” after he revealed striker Dexter Blackstock was loaned to Nottingham Forest without his knowledge.
- Having enjoyed his time in London, it is understood Sousa would be interested in a move back into the Championship. And, as they look to unveil their new manager by the end of the week, he fits the Swans requirements for a young manager who likes attractive football and has good contacts in Europe.
- Even if he does impress chairman Huw Jenkins, Sousa faces strong competition for the job.
- Former Uruguayan international Poyet, who is also a top contender for the job, said: “I would really be interested in the job. I would really like to go there, it would be a great opportunity.”
But whoever replaces Martinez at the Liberty Stadium, the new manager’s first task is likely to be convincing the Swans’ prize assets to remain at the club with Martinez refusing to rule out transfer raids this summer...."

www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swansea-city-fc/2009/06/18/roberto-martinez-could-return-in-swansea-city-raid-91466-23907404/

I said to get your money on him a little while back, I did, hope you all took a punt.

Mind you, I lost money on our new manager so it won't be Sousa.

South Wales Evening Post

Swans' search for manager down to five

SWANSEA City's search for a manager is down to a final five which includes double Champions League winner Paula Sousa.

And the Evening Post understands another of the contenders is a name which has so far not been mentioned.

Former Queens Park Rangers manager Sousa features on the short list to replace Roberto Martinez alongside Gary Speed, Gus Poyet and Aidy Boothroyd.

And there is one more candidate who is currently in a manager's job elsewhere.

But it is understood that man is not Paul Tisdale, who was on Swansea's list of possible targets but has indicated that he will be staying on at Exeter City.

The likes of Roberto Di Matteo, the MK Dons manager, and Hearts's Romanian boss Csaba Laszlo have been touted as potential Martinez successors.

But chairman Huw Jenkins is refusing to discuss individual candidates as Swansea edge closer to making an appointment.

Speed, one of the frontrunners throughout, visited the Liberty for talks with Jenkins on Tuesday and will be allowed to leave his player-coach role at Sheffield United if Swansea go for him.

Poyet, who is currently out of work, was at the stadium on Monday trying to convince Jenkins that he is the right man for the job, while ex-Watford boss Boothroyd has also visited the city in the last few days.

It is believed that Sousa, who left QPR in April, met Jenkins yesterday to put his point across.

The 38-year-old Portuguese lasted just five months at Loftus Road, where he was under pressure from Rangers' outspoken board almost from the off.

He was sacked with the club claiming he had divulged sensitive information over the transfer of Dexter Blackstock to Nottingham Forest.

Sousa, who had previously been No.2 to Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz, enjoyed a glittering playing career which took in spells at Benfica, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Espanyol among others.

Capped 51 times, he is the only man ever to have won back-to-back European Cups after successes with Juve in 1996 and Dortmund in 1997.

Swansea's owners are conscious that an appointment needs to be made as soon as possible with pre-season training due to start one week today.

And it could well be that they come to a decision on who is the right man to take them forward at a board meeting which takes place tomorrow.

"We are hopeful that we'll have some news by the end of the week," Jenkins told the Post.

"We have had a much better week this week than last and things are going to move on at a pace from now on.

"We are well aware that the new season is fast approaching and we need to make an appointment."

Former Swindon, Leeds and Spurs No. 2 Poyet, who played in midfield for Chelsea from 1997 to 2001, has publicly declared his interest in taking the reins at Swansea.

"I would really be interested in the job," the Uruguayan said. "I would really like to go there. It would be a great opportunity."

Poyet is one of around 20 potential managers Jenkins has spoken to since it became clear Martinez was heading for Wigan.

www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/sport/Swans-search-manager/article-1085665-detail/article.html

Or maybe they've already paid him off. Presumably they wouldn't want him speaking out!

Of course if so, the argument that couldn't speak about the circumstances around Sousa's departure because it was a legal matter, would no longer be valid!

Let's not forget we have the book to look forward to that will explain everything...

Or was that just in Pete's imagination?

Not necessarily unfortunately. It would be agreed that (De)Sousa is perfectly entitled to find employment elsewhere during the legal matter as denying him that after a short period, say until the end of the season, would actually infringe his human rights. The court case might not be heard for a while yet, if it gets that far and an agreement might have already been reached concerning the matter with a caveat of confidentiality in place.



Again, not necessarily. Pete and others are probably involved in a separate investigation into the matter and whilst (De)Sousa might have come to a final agreement with the club over his 'termination', the investigation, if there is one, will probably drag on to save those concerned.

It's a matter of can they sweep it under the carpet? And with (De)Sousa in a job elsewhere it will be easier to move on from this and therefore easier for the club to do so.

Good luck to (De)Sousa wherever he ends up, apart from the 2 games a season he plays us!

Good luck to him indeed however I am pleased we have moved on.

Sous'a team selections and tactics had me baffled at times.

Some of the football was very negative perhaps he should of been given more time, as we were missing key players but the decision was made and now we have Madge.

Onwards and upwards.

And of all the QPR Boards, which site was hours ahead of the curve?

He'll get a pre-season to get his squad ready

He'll be able to sign the players he wants (within budget)

He won't suffer owner "involvement" with the team

He probably won't have a messageboard effort against him

Must Sounds like Shangri La!