Sousa: New R's boss

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Ex-Portugal international Paulo Sousa has been named Queens Park Rangers' new manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The 38-year-old, who has no prior managerial experience, had been working for Portugal under the stewardship of former Manchester United man Carlos Queiroz.

Sousa called time on his playing career aged just 31 due to several serious injuries, although he retains an impressive CV having played for the likes of Benfica, Sporting, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Parma.

Sousa succeeds Iain Dowie as the club's permanent manager after Gareth Ainsworth assumed caretaker control of first-team affairs in recent weeks.

Honour

The R's new manager, who will keep Ainsworth within his backroom staff, has revealed it is an honour to take control of the ambitious Championship outfit.

"It is an honour to be part of this project. I have always wanted to work for a big club and I am very excited about the opportunity to work for QPR," he told the club's official website.

"I have great belief in my ideas and my coaching ability and I firmly believe I can achieve the objectives set by the management."

Sousa, who will be in charge for Saturday's game against Watford, has already pledged his new team will play positive attacking football.

Positive

"I believe in playing positive, attacking football," he continued.

"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.

"I am looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead."