Paulo Sousa

Paulo Manuel Carvalho de Sousa, CavIH (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpawlu ˈso(w)zɐ]; born 30 August 1970) is a Portuguese football manager and former professional player who played as a defensive midfielder. He is the head coach of the Poland national team.

For various people of a similar name, see Paulo Souza.

This name uses Portuguese naming customs: the first or maternal family name is Carvalho and the second or paternal family name is Sousa.
Paulo Sousa
Sousa in 2014
Personal information
Full name Paulo Manuel Carvalho de Sousa[1]
Date of birth (1970-08-30) 30 August 1970[1]
Place of birth Viseu, Portugal[1]
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Poland (manager)
Youth career
1984–1986 Repesenses
1986–1989 Benfica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1993 Benfica 86 (1)
1993–1994 Sporting CP 31 (2)
1994–1996 Juventus 54 (1)
1996–1997 Borussia Dortmund 27 (1)
1998–2000 Inter Milan 31 (0)
2000 → Parma (loan) 8 (0)
2000–2001 Panathinaikos 10 (0)
2002 Espanyol 9 (0)
Total 256 (5)
National team
1987 Portugal U16 8 (0)
1987–1988 Portugal U18 4 (0)
1989 Portugal U20 2 (0)
1989–1991 Portugal U21 9 (1)
1991–2002 Portugal 52 (0)
Teams managed
2005–2008 Portugal U16
2008–2009 Queens Park Rangers
2009–2010 Swansea City
2010 Leicester City
2011–2013 Videoton
2013–2014 Maccabi Tel Aviv
2014–2015 Basel
2015–2017 Fiorentina
2017–2018 Tianjin Quanjian
2019–2020 Bordeaux
2021– Poland
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Starting his career at Benfica, he also represented Sporting in his country, where he amassed Primeira Liga totals of 117 matches and three goals in five years. From there onwards, he competed mainly in Italy and in Germany, winning the Champions League with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund and the Intercontinental Cup with the latter side. His later career was severely hampered by injuries.[2]

Sousa was a member of Portugal's "Golden Generation".[3] and appeared with the national team at the 2002 World Cup and two European Championships. He took up coaching in the late 2000s, managing clubs in several countries and winning national championships with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Basel.

Playing career

Club

Born in Viseu, Sousa began playing professionally for S.L. Benfica, and was a starter from an early age. He won the Primeira Liga championship in 1990–91, and the Taça de Portugal two years later.[4]

In the summer of 1993, Sousa signed for Lisbon neighbours Sporting CP together with his teammate António Pacheco.[5] In one season, he partnered Luís Figo and Krasimir Balakov in midfield and the Lions did not win any silverware.[6]

Sousa played with Juventus F.C. for two seasons after joining in 1994, leading the Turin side to the 1995–96 conquest of the UEFA Champions League.[4] He also won the previous year's Serie A, adding the domestic cup and supercups and also finishing as runners-up in the UEFA Cup.[2]

Sousa then moved to Germany to play for Borussia Dortmund, where he repeated the Champions League triumph the following campaign.[4] The final was against his former club Juventus and, although he appeared in that game, his Dortmund spell was plagued with injuries, which followed him the remainder of his career.[2]

Sousa subsequently returned to Italy to play for Inter Milan, and eventually retired in summer 2002 at the age of 31, after briefly representing Parma A.C. on loan,[7] Panathinaikos F.C. and RCD Espanyol.[4]

International

A member of the Portugal squad that won the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship,[8] Sousa went on to earn 51 caps for the senior national team.[4] His international debut came on 16 January 1991, in a friendly against Spain that ended in a 1–1 draw.[9]

Sousa played for his country at UEFA Euro 1996[10][11] and 2000,[9] and was a squad member at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but did not take part in a single match.[2] His last appearance came shortly before the latter competition, a 2–0 friendly win over China.[12]

Style of play

Sousa was a hard-working, tactically intelligent and versatile player, who was effective both offensively and defensively, courtesy of his anticipation and ability to read the game, although he was not known for his speed. Although he was usually classified as a hard-tackling defensive midfielder, he also possessed excellent vision and control, and was often deployed as a deep-lying playmaker throughout his career due to his passing accuracy, technique and ability to control the tempo of his teams' play; his playing style drew comparisons with Paulo Roberto Falcão throughout his career.

In addition to his skill and creative abilities, Sousa was also renowned for his leadership.[9][13][14][15][16]

Coaching career

Portugal national teams

Sousa began working as a manager by joining the coaching staff of the Portugal national team, taking the helm of the under-16s, and in the summer of 2008 he was appointed assistant to first-team coach Carlos Queiroz, his former boss at Sporting and the Portuguese youths.[17]

Queens Park Rangers

On 19 November 2008, Sousa was appointed head coach of Championship team Queens Park Rangers.[18] However, on 9 April 2009, he was sacked, as the club claimed he had divulged sensitive information without permission from the hierarchy, which included Dexter Blackstock's loan move to Nottingham Forest having been agreed without his knowledge.[19]

Swansea City

Following Roberto Martínez's move to Wigan Athletic, Sousa was offered the role as Swansea City manager on 18 June 2009.[20] He verbally accepted the deal, signing a three-year contract, and was officially appointed on the 23rd.[21]

During the league campaign, Sousa led Swansea to its highest league finish for 27 years (seventh), just outside the play-offs.[22] On 4 July 2010, he departed by mutual consent, set to take the vacant managerial post at Leicester City.[23]

Leicester City

On 7 July 2010, Sousa became the new manager of Leicester City. Owner Milan Mandarić stated that he was delighted to "acquire a manager of such great calibre", adding he was "the right man to take our club forward".[24]

On 1 October 2010, after less than three months in charge, Sousa was fired by Leicester, after a poor start to the season, with the team having won only once in his first nine league games.[25]

Videoton
Sousa managing Leicester City in 2010

On 15 May 2011, Sousa signed a three-year contract with Hungarian club Videoton FC, newly crowned champions of the Nemzeti Bajnokság I.[26] He made his competitive debut in the Champions League qualifying round to SK Sturm Graz in a 0–2 away loss,[27] followed by an insufficient 3–2 home win.[28]

On 30 August 2012, the day of his 42nd birthday, Videoton hosted Trabzonspor in the season's Europa League last qualifying round. After the 4–2 penalty shoot-out win (0–0 after 120 minutes), he stated: "The qualification was the most beautiful birthday of my life".[29]

On 7 January 2013, Videoton announced that they had agreed to terminate Sousa's contract due to family reasons.[30] That same day, it was reported that he would become the new manager of the New York Red Bulls,[31] but nothing came of it.

Maccabi Tel Aviv

On 12 June 2013, Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. officially appointed Sousa as its head coach.[32] He won the Israeli Premier League in his first and only season in charge.[33][34]

Basel

Sousa changed clubs and countries again on 28 May 2014, signing a three-year contract with FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.[35] He left on 17 June of the following year, after again winning the national championship.[36]

Fiorentina

On 21 June 2015, Sousa joined Serie A club ACF Fiorentina.[37][38] He left on 6 June 2017, following the appointment of Stefano Pioli.[39]

Tianjin Quanjian

On 6 November 2017, Sousa signed for Tianjin Quanjian F.C. of the Chinese Super League, replacing Fabio Cannavaro.[40] On 4 October of the following year, he left his post.[41]

Bordeaux

Sousa became FC Girondins de Bordeaux's third coach of the season on 8 March 2019 after Gus Poyet and Ricardo Gomes, agreeing to a three-and-a-half-year deal.[42] Having come 12th in his only full season, disputes with the board led to his resignation on 10 August 2020.[43][44]

Poland

On 21 January 2021, Polish Football Association president Zbigniew Boniek announced Sousa as the head coach of the Poland national team. The latter replaced Jerzy Brzęczek, who had been dismissed shortly after in spite of qualifying the side for Euro 2020.[45]

Career statistics

Club
Source:[46][47]
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Benfica1989–90Primeira Liga200020
1990–9136020380
1991–9223130261
1992–9325060310
Total 861110971
Sporting1993–94Primeira Liga31260372
Juventus1994–95Serie A261100361
1995–9628081361
Total 541181722
Borussia Dortmund1996–97Bundesliga11140151
1997–9816050210
Total 27190361
Inter Milan1997–98Serie A11000110
1998–9910030130
1999–200010000100
Total 31030340
Parma (loan)1999–2000Serie A8020100
Panathinaikos2000–01Alpha Ethniki6041101
2001–024070110
Total 100111211
Espanyol2001–02La Liga900090
Career total 25656023167

International
Source:[48]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Portugal
199150
199200
199380
199450
199560
199650
199750
199820
199980
200050
200120
200210
Total520

Managerial statistics
As of match played 8 March 2020
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref.
PWDLGFGAGDWin %
Queens Park Rangers 19 November 2008 9 April 2009 26 7 12 7 23 24 −1 026.9 [47][49]
Swansea City 23 June 2009 4 July 2010 49 18 18 13 45 39 +6 036.7 [47][49]
Leicester City 7 July 2010 1 October 2010 12 4 2 6 18 27 −9 033.3 [47][49]
Videoton 1 June 2011 7 January 2013 88 52 17 19 140 63 +77 059.1 [47]
Maccabi Tel Aviv 11 June 2013 28 May 2014 49 31 10 8 91 45 +46 063.3 [47]
Basel 18 June 2014 17 June 2015 50 32 7 11 112 60 +52 064.0 [47]
Fiorentina 21 June 2015 6 June 2017 95 43 25 27 155 121 +34 045.3 [47]
Tianjin Quanjian 6 November 2017 5 October 2018 37 13 10 14 51 58 −7 035.1 [47]
Bordeaux 8 March 2019 10 August 2020 43 13 13 17 54 52 +2 030.2 [47]
Poland 21 January 2021 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !— [47]
Total 449 213 114 122 689 489 +200 047.4

Honours

Player

Benfica[50]

Juventus[50]

Borussia Dortmund[50]

Portugal

Individual

Manager

Videoton[53]

Maccabi Tel Aviv[53]

Basel[53]

References
  1. "Paulo Sousa" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  2. "Injuries force Paulo Sousa to retire". UEFA. 2 July 2002. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  3. "QPR happy to gamble on Sousa". ESPN Soccernet. 20 November 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2008.
  4. "Paulo Sousa: In profile". Queens Park Rangers. 19 November 2008. Archived from the original on 9 February 2009. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  5. "Quando Sousa Cintra levou Paulo Sousa e Pacheco" [When Sousa Cintra took Paulo Sousa and Pacheco]. Record (in Portuguese). 5 June 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  6. "Amerhauser. "Foi o jogo mais fascinante que aquele estádio viu"" [Amerhauser. "It was the most exciting match that stadium has ever seen"]. i (in Portuguese). 6 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  7. Capone, Antonello; Laudisa, Carlo (1 February 2000). "Inter Parma, scambio Sousa Serena" [Inter Parma, Sousa Serena exchange]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  8. Alvarenga, Vítor Hugo (3 March 2014). "Riade, 25 anos: como foi e onde estão os campeões" [Riyadh, 25 anos: how did it go and where are the champions] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  9. "Paulo Sousa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  10. Hodgson, Guy (1 June 1996). "The rising force in Europe counting on their foreign legion; CHAMPIONSHIP COUNTDOWN: No 9 Portugal". The Independent. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  11. Naskrent, Gwidon S. "Euro 1996". RSSSF. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  12. Lyford-Pike, Thomas (28 May 2002). "Sousa in doubt for first game". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  13. Ansaldo, Marco (10 April 1994). "Sousa il Cervello per la Juve" [Sousa the Brain for Juve]. La Stampa (in Italian). p. 33. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  14. "Sousa, geometra del goal 'Corro a regola d' arte'" [Sousa, surveyor of goals 'I run to perfection']. La Repubblica (in Italian). 22 May 1995. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  15. Rzouki, Mina (11 December 2015). "Juventus can can announce title intentions with Fiorentina win". ESPN FC. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  16. "Rui Costa picks his #One2Eleven on The Fantasy Football Club". Sky Sports. 23 December 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  17. "Juventus quer Paulo Sousa" [Juventus want Paulo Sousa]. Correio da Manhã (in Portuguese). 28 December 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  18. "Sousa is new QPR first team coach". BBC Sport. 19 November 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
  19. "QPR axe Sousa after just 26 games". BBC Sport. 4 April 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  20. "Sousa to be named Swans manager". South Wales Evening Post. 18 June 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  21. "Swansea unveil new manager Sousa". BBC Sport. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  22. "Paulo Sousa backed to succeed as new manager of Leicester City". This Is Leicestershire. 6 July 2010. Archived from the original on 11 July 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  23. "Paulo Sousa departs as Swansea City manager". BBC Sport. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  24. "Paulo Sousa confirmed as Leicester City boss". BBC Sport. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
  25. "Leicester City sack manager Paulo Sousa". BBC Sport. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  26. "Paulo Sousa appointed Videoton coach". UEFA. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  27. "Sturm strike late to leave Videoton facing uphill task". UEFA. 13 July 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  28. "Sturm go through after stern test in Hungary". UEFA. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  29. "Paulo Sousa: "A továbbjutás volt a legszebb születésnapi ajándék"" [Paulo Sousa: "To go through was the most beautiful birthday present I could get"] (in Hungarian). Videoton FC. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  30. "Paulo Sousa is leaving Videoton FC as manager". Videoton FC. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  31. "Paulo Sousa abandona Videoton e está a caminho dos EUA" [Paulo Sousa leaves Videoton and is on his way to the USA]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 7 January 2013. Archived from the original on 9 January 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  32. "Paulo Sousa appointed as head coach". Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. 11 June 2013. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  33. "Treinador Paulo Sousa campeão em Israel" [Coach Paulo Sousa champion in Israel] (in Portuguese). TSF. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  34. "Fixtures and results". Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  35. "Paulo Sousa wird neuer Cheftrainer beim FC Basel 1893" [Paulo Sousa is new FC Basel 1893 head coach] (in German). FC Basel. 28 May 2014. Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  36. "Soccer-FC Basel coach Sousa leaves after one season". Reuters. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  37. "Official: Sousa Fiorentina coach". Football Italia. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  38. "Paulo Sousa nuovo allenatore della Fiorentina alle 19.00 la presentazione" [Paulo Sousa new Fiorentina manager presentation at 19.00] (in Italian). Viola Channel. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  39. "Fiorentina, Pioli è il nuovo tecnico, ha firmato un biennale" [Fiorentina, Pioli is the new manager, he signed for two years]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 6 June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  40. Church, Michael (6 November 2017). "Cannavaro quits Tianjin, replaced by Sousa". ESPN. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  41. Houston, Craig (4 October 2018). "Paolo [sic] Sousa leaves job as manager of Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian". GB Times. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  42. "Paulo Sousa nouvel entraîneur de Bordeaux (officiel)" [Paulo Sousa new manager of Bordeaux (official)]. L'Équipe (in French). 8 March 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  43. Magalhães, Sérgio (10 August 2020). "Paulo Sousa deixa mensagem de despedida aos adeptos do Bordéus" [Paulo Sousa leaves farewell message to Bordeaux fans]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  44. Gillen, Sean (11 August 2020). "Official: Paulo Sousa leaves "sleeping giant" Bordeaux". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  45. "Portugal's Paulo Sousa named new Poland coach". France 24. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  46. Paulo Sousa at ForaDeJogo
  47. Paulo Sousa at FootballDatabase.eu
  48. "Paulo Sousa". European Football. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  49. Paulo Sousa management career statistics at Soccerbase
  50. "Paulo Sousa". Eurosport. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  51. Winkler, Pierre (17 January 2004). "European Championship 2000 – Full Details Final Tournament". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  52. Pierrend, José Luis; Di Maggio, Roberto. "Italy – Footballer of the Year". RSSSF. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  53. "P. Sousa – Trophies". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 December 2015.

Further reading
  • Lopes, Luís (2008). Os Magníficos: Paulo Sousa, o jogador que redefiniu a função de trinco [The Magnificents: Paulo Sousa, the player who redefined the role of a defensive midfielder] (First ed.). QuidNovi. ISBN 978-989-554-502-5.
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