Paulo Sousa has been named as Queen Park Rangers FC new manager, but what will the inexperienced coach bring to Loftus Road and will he be able to turn the ‘R’s’ into serious contenders for promotion.
There is no doubting Paulo Sousa’s experience as a player. Part of the so- called ‘Golden Generation’ of Portuguese playing talent, emerging at the same time as the likes of Rui Costa and Luis Figo, the defensive midfielder played for some of Europe’s finest clubs and has an enviable medal collection despite being forced into early retirement at the age of 31.
Sousa’s career saw him win the Portuguese Liga and Cup with Benfica before a controversial transfer to rivals Sporting Lisbon for a season. A year later he moved to Turin were he won a Serie A championship and Coppa Italia in 1995 then a European Cup in 1996 playing as part of the magnificent Juventus side of the mid- 90’s. A move to German outfit Borussia Dortmund saw him miraculously win a consecutive European Cup against Juve in 1997. A return to Italy followed in the 1997/ 98 season with a stint at Inter Milan when injuries really started to hamper his career with short- lived moves to Parma, Panathinaikos and finally Espanyol before Sousa retired in 2002 having wracked up 51 appearances for his national side.
His managerial experience may be limited only to an assistant role under Luiz Felipe Scolari the past five years working with the Portuguese national team, but a leader on the pitch, Sousa’s positional play was meticulous, work- rate exemplary and technical ability expert. The QPR faithful will be hoping he can install such standards into his inherited crop of players who currently lie 10th in the Championship. Further, the former Portuguese international has, most notably, worked under the guidance of Sven- Göran Eriksson at Benfica, Marcello Lippi at Juventus and Ottmar Hitzfeld at Dortmund, so one would anticipate Sousa to have acquired sufficient managerial knowledge and tips along the way.
An apparent friend of Queens Park Rangers co-owner Flavio Briatore, the relationship could find itself strained if Sousa struggles as Iain Dowie did with the Formula One tycoon’s hands- on approach, or, perhaps the more appropriate expression is, interfering. Briatore disclosed Sousa as an exciting appointment, having kept tabs on his progress for the last few months, he announced: ‘he is the right man for our project… he is a part of the new generation of coach.’ A question mark could be raised over the convenience of the appointment. Managerial experience for Sousa and an arrangement allowing for Briatore to get more involved with first team affairs, the selection of players and authority over transfers. Is this ‘new generation of coach’, Briatore mentions, one who’s role is solely to coach?
It has became a bizarre entity of modern football that former players are generally accepted by fans for managerial roles despite minor experience. Gianfranco Zola’s appointment at West Ham hardly inspired a great debate, yet whether or not Joe Kinnear, a manager with vast experience, is to keep the Newcastle United job sparks an endless discussion.
One would imagine that footballing legend Sousa will immediately command the respect of his players. Experienced or not, his expertise is sure to be of benefit to the players on the training field, although it awaits to be seen whether the players can command the respect of their manager who has been surrounded by quality players throughout of his career.
Sousa has made clear his intentions to play ‘positive, attacking football’ and is confident he will succeed at the London club, adding: ‘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 Queens Park Rangers board expect to see the blue and white hoops of the ‘R’s’ playing Premier League football by the end of a four year plan backed by substantial financial backing. Whether Sousa is the man to lead the resurgence only time will tell. The challenge begins at Vicarage Road on Saturday away to Watford, who are currently in the relegation zone having recently parted company with their manager Aidy Boothroyd.
Philip Mawson
