Year Flashback "Sousa Expects to Keep Job"

[QPR Report]

BBC

Sousa expects to remain QPR coach

Sousa believes he will still be at QPR next season
Paulo Sousa insists he does not fear for his future as QPR coach.

Rangers are without a win in eight games, but Sousa believes boss Flavio Briatore will give him more time.

He said: "From the beginning it was about creating a solid team and looking to next season - a season in which we want to get into the Premier League.

"My contract is not just for this season. From the first day I came here we agreed I would build. I have already spoken to the board about this."

Sousa is the fourth coach installed by Briatore since the Italian and Bernie Ecclestone bought QPR in 2007.

I don't have a doubt I'm going to win in the end

Paulo Sousa
The former Portgual star suceeded Iain Dowie, who was sacked after a disagreement with Briatore.

John Gregory, Luigi De Canio and Gareth Ainsworth have also had brief spells at the helm.

But Sousa claims he was unfazed by past events at Loftus Road when he was offered the job in November.

He said: "It meant nothing to me. As a player I liked challenges and I think this will be the biggest challenge of my career as a manager.

"It's the first one, but I feel it will also be the biggest and I don't have a doubt I'm going to win in the end."

Despite their increased spending, QPR are currently 11th in the Championship and almost out of the running for a play-off place.

But Sousa believes that Briatore, who was due to hold discussions with Rangers' players on Thursday evening, is content to focus on next season.

606: DEBATE
Your views on Sousa's future
"The owners bought the club two years ago and have started to build," Sousa explained.

"The aim is to attack the Premier League in the third season, and we discussed this before I came here.

"The team today is in the middle of the table, without some important players out injured, and when they are fit it will be pre-season we can reflect and think what we need to do to take another step forward.

"Our target must be to start next season well - like Wolves did this season - and keep at the top until the end. This is just a difficult moment."

[Zamoraaaah]

And more from David M and Sousa but bugger all from GP

"It's just a question of time"
QPR
by David M - BBC Sport (U1628513) 13 March 2009
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A48555769

I found Paulo Sousa in an upbeat and remarkably confident mood when I saw him on Thursday afternoon.

Whether he’s the right man for QPR or has a long-term future at the club remains to be seen, but Sousa is adamant that he is and he has.
Sat at his office desk, he spoke in such a calm, matter-of-fact way about overcoming this “difficult moment” and pushing for promotion next season, it was clear he didn’t have a shred of doubt that office will still be his beyond the summer.

Sousa’s not arrogant or blind to what’s going wrong. He talked about various problems at some length. But to say he has total belief that he will deliver success for QPR and is unfazed by questions about his future is putting it mildly.

Hopefully for his sake, Flavio Briatore sees things the same way. Sousa seems sure that he does.

Briatore was last night due to speak to the players about recent events.

This gathering was initially scheduled for the afternoon but was put back to the evening, when the squad were to report to a plush Knightsbridge restaurant no less.

Whatever the players think, Sousa certainly believes in them as much as he believes in himself.

He spoke about his team selections and tactics – particularly his use of a single striker – and the type of players who could make a difference to his squad.

I got the impression that those who feel the owners haven’t been willing to spend enough on players and need to dig deep to make a number of signings this summer might end up disappointed.

On the other hand, there might be some light at the end of the tunnel for those who despair at the never-ending turnover of players and feel some stability is needed along with a couple of canny signings and the return of Buzsaky, Rowlands and Vine.

Sousa is absolutely sure that these three players would have made a world of difference this season and getting them fit again is his top priority.

There has of course been criticism of other players, but Sousa’s view is that the bulk of his squad is good enough.

His take on the last few weeks is that this is a blip; a bad spell where anything that can go wrong is going wrong and it’s “just a question of time” before the tide turns.

He doesn’t like to talk about transfer targets, so there was no point asking him about Rangers’ latest attempts to bring players in on loan, which have included making enquires about Tottenham’s Giovanni dos Santos and Adel Taarbat.

Gianni Paladini wasn’t at all keen to discuss this either when I bumped into him.

He had plenty to say to me on Sunday morning when on the warpath over reports Paul Ince had been approached to take over as QPR manager, but ask about possible new signings and….oh well.

Anyway, it seems the chances of either Spurs player ending up at Loftus Road are slim, partly because of their wages.

That’s a pity because Rangers could do with something different and also need some cover for Lee Cook, who is struggling with a knee problem.

Dos Santos is a lively player and Taarabt is a real box of tricks who would certainly excite the crowd.

[londonranger]

He sounds very confident. I think Don flavio promotes people with confidence.

[QPR Report]

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