QPR announced that Paulo Manuel Carvalho Sousa, a member of Portugal’s “Golden Generation”, will be taking over as their new First Team Coach. Gareth Ainsworth had been Caretaker Manager at the club, and will become part of Sousa’s backroom staff. QPR’s Chairman Flavio Briatore said that “Paulo is a very good appointment for this football club” and that Sousa is “the right man for our project.” Sousa will take over in time for Saturday’s match at Watford.There has been a lot of speculation about QPR’s next manager ever since Iain Dowie was sacked in late October. Former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini was linked with the club, and given the wealth behind QPR and his friendship with Briatore, some thought he might take the opportunity to coach in England. However Mancini’s recent comments about his desire to coach at Real Madrid show that the Italian is probably out of reach for a Championship side. Gareth Ainsworth has done well during his time at charge, grabbing seven points from five matches in the Championship. Four of those matches were against top six sides, and they fought bravely in their 1-0 Carling Cup loss to Manchester United. Briatore was right to keep him at the club, but wanted someone with more experience and a higher profile to lead the team.
Sousa’s comments at taking over show the club’s direction: “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.” He has the credentials to back this up, having been an assistant manager for Portugal’s national team the last five years. He is expected to employ a similar attacking style and width as his London neighbor, Phil Scolari. If Sousa is half as successful as Scolari has been, QPR fans will be in for a treat. This doesn’t mean Rangers will go soft at the back, as Sousa will draw on his own experience as a defensive midfielder for Benfica and Portugal. Dowie and Ainsworth have built a strong backbone, and the club has conceded only sixteen goals in seventeen matches.With Sousa signing a two and a half year contract, QPR seem ready to make some moves. They are only three points out of a playoff spot, though Championship leading Wolves have opened a fifteen point lead on Rangers. Briatore has been frugal so far, using free transfers and loans to bolster the squad. If QPR are within striking distance in January, don’t be surprised to see Briatore finally tap into the club’s wealth. A number of sides have been hurt by the economic downturn, and will be looking to sell players in order to balance their books. Briatore might use this opportunity to buy Premiership quality players at discount prices, and give Sousa the tools he needs to fight for promotion. He would do well to buy a veteran striker to supplement youngsters Dexter Blackstock and Samuel Di Carmine. Rangers could also use some more creativity in midfield, and don’t be surprised if some wingers with Portuguese names become part of the squad. Sousa might be able to use his own connections, and it would be a major coup if he could lure Pauleta out of retirement. If the right moves are made, Sousa could be coaching against Scolari in the Premiership next year.
