Sousa confirmed as new manager

Paulo Sousa has been officially installed as the new manager of Leicester City.

Sousa left his managerial post at Swansea over the weekend to begin talks with the Foxes, with chairman Milan Mandaric finalising the deal yesterday.

The experienced Portuguese will be officially unveiled at a press conference scheduled today at 1.30 p.m.

Sousa arrives at Leicester having lead Swansea to a 7th place finish in the Championship last season, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.

He began his coaching career with the Portugese national team, taking over the under-15 side before working his way up to the position of assistant to Carlos Queiroz.

His first break in English football management came at Queens Park Rangers, a rein which ended sourly after Sousa divulged information that he had no say in Dexter Blackstock’s move to Nottingham Forest.

A move to Swansea followed after his sacking, replacing Roberto Martinez at the helm. A tough act to follow, Sousa achieved a higher finish without star striker Jason Scotland, but could not lead the Swans to the play-offs.

Sousa already has good relations with chairman Milan Mandaric, and was a guest to Leicester’s play-off semi-final tie with Cardiff in May.

Mandaric himself on the appointment said: ‘I am delighted to acquire a manager of such great calibre. Paulo has an excellent reputation as both a player, and now as a manager, and I believe that he is the right man to take our club forward.

‘I admire his style of football and I am sure all supporters will join me in looking ahead to the new season.’

Sousa admitted he was relishing the challenge of managing the club.

‘I am delighted to be here, it is a great club with great supporters and a rich history and I am very excited by the challenge.

‘The club has a fantastic stadium with great facilities and I am very much looking forward to working with the players.’