Paulo Sousa

Former Manager

D.O.B.

30/08/1970

Birthplace

Viseu, Portugal

Height

5ft 9

Position

Manager

Signed

23rd June 2009

Fee

n/a

Former Clubs

QPR

International

Portugal 51 caps

Pen Pic

Paulo Sousa took over from Roberto Martinez as our new manager, signing a 3-year deal on June 23rd.

After receiving more than 100 applications for the job, Huw Jenkins and the board decided that Portuguese Paulo Sousa was the best man for the job. The likes of Gary Speed, Gus Poyet and Aidy Boothroyd were some of the other candidates considered for the job.

The 38 year-old made an excellent impression in front of the media at the press conference, and spoke highly of the club along with his long term ambitions and plans for Swansea City.

Playing Career

Sousa was a highly successful defensive midfielder who was excellent at maintaining possession and was particularly superb at long range passing.

He won 51 caps for Portugal, and was also a member of the squad that won the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship.

He played in Euro 96 and 2000, and also travelled to the 2002 World Cup but didn't make an appearance.

He started his professional career with Benfica in 1989 and in 1991 he won the National league with the club.

He then joined Sporting CP in 1993 where he spent a single season in midfield alongside Luis Figo. He joined Juventus in 1994, and won the Champions League with them in 1996 and the Domestic League in 1995. Other club honours include the Italian 1995, Supercup and 1995 UEFA Cup runners-up.

Sousa also had spells with Borussia Dortmund, where he won the Champions League a second time, beating his former club Juventus in the final, Inter Milan, Parma, Panathinaikos and Espanyol.

His career ended prematurely due to injury.

Coaching / Management Career

Sousa's coaching career began when he joined the Portugese national team, taking charge of the under-15s side. In 2008, he joined first team senior coach Carlos Quieroz as his assistant.

In November 2008, he took charge of a club for the first time, at fellow Championship side QPR. His stay was a short one ho