SWANSEA CITY midfielder Ferrie Bodde has returned to Holland after “positive” talks with new boss Paulo Sousa, writes Steve Tucker.

And early indications are the highly-rated playmaker could well be remaining at the Liberty Stadium until January at least.

The Dutchman had been linked with a move away from the Swans with Bolton having a £2.5m bid turned down and former Swansea boss Roberto Martinez also said to be keen to take Bodde to new club Wigan.

Swansea’s resolve is set to be tested again with Wanderer’s boss Gary Megson poised to come back in with an improved bid.

But Bodde, who suffered a serious knee injury last November which ruled him out of the rest of last season, is thought to be fully focused on his battle to regain fitness.

He will work with his regular medical team while back in Holland and then return to the Swansea camp on July 12.

Bodde is thought to be just weeks from regaining fitness.

The 27-year-old incurred the wrath of Sousa this week when he failed to report for the first day of pre-season on Monday.

But the Western Mail understands his meeting with Sousa was very constructive and broached the idea that Bodde remains with the Swans at least until January to get back on the road to total fitness.

If he does choose to remain, it will prove a massive boost to the Swans fortunes at the start of their forthcoming campaign which opens on August 8 with a trip to newly-promoted Leicester.

Meanwhile, Spanish midfielder Jordi Lopez is in talks with Swansea City according to the player’s agent.

Alex Bonnot claims Lopez has met Sousa, but that there are two other Championship clubs also tracking him.

Lopez signed a three-month contract with Queens Park Rangers when Sousa was in charge at Loftus Road, but has been unable to agree terms on an extension.

He won the Uefa Cup with Sevilla and made three appearances for Real Madrid.

On Sunday the Swans will fly out to Sousa’s native Portugal for a week’s training camp.

By David Dulin

Lopez was brought to QPR by former coach Paulo Sousa

Swansea City are holding talks with Uefa Cup winner Jordi Lopez after his contract at Queens Park Rangers ended.

Lopez, 28, was signed on a three-month deal by new Swans boss Paulo Sousa when he was in charge of QPR last season.

But Sousa faces competition from two unnamed Championship clubs to sign Spanish midfielder Lopez who won the Uefa Cup with Sevilla in 2006.

"Contact has been made, we've been talking with Paulo," said Lopez's agent Alex Bonnot.

"Paulo would be happy to have Jordi with him. There's a good professional relationship between them.

"But Jordi has two other options. It's going to be down to the talks and the decision of Jordi.

"Everything so far has been very transparent and clear."

Lopez would be Sousa's first Swansea signing and would join the club in time to go on next week's training camp in Portugal.

He won the Uefa Cup with Sevilla in 2006 when the Spanish side beat Middlesbrough 4-0 in the final.

Before the switch to Sevilla two years earlier, Lopez made three appearances for Real Madrid.

He arrived in English football after being released by Real Mallorca last December, joining QPR in February.

Lopez opened talks after his three-month contract at Loftus Road expired, but was unhappy with the wages being offered and negotiations have ended.

Sousa, 38, was unveiled as successor to Roberto Martinez who left to take charge of Wigan last month.

Meanwhile, striker Chris Jones has left Swansea for League Two side Grimsby after rejecting a contract extension.

The 19-year-old has not played for the Swans' first team since March 2007.

SWANSEA City's hopes of a cash windfall have been dashed after Hull manager Phil Brown scotched speculation suggesting Sam Ricketts was set to leave the Premier League club.

Former Swansea defender Ricketts had been linked with a move away from the KC Stadium, with Portsmouth and Everton rumoured to be interested in the 27-year-old.

Bolton and Celtic were also thought to be tracking the £3m rated Welsh international who was a regular in the Hull side that dramatically survived top-flight relegation last season.

Swansea would have pocketed a percentage of any Ricketts transfer as the deal that took him away from Swansea included an undisclosed sell-on clause.

But Brown has insisted he wants the full back to remain with the Tigers as Hull plot a fresh Premier League assault.

"He has got another year left on his contract, so I fully expect him to be in for pre-season training," said Brown.

FERRIE Bodde was back in Swansea and poised for crunch talks with Paulo Sousa last night — as Bolton prepared another bid for the playmaker.

The Dutch midfielder was originally due to meet his new boss on Monday, but chose to remain in Holland and miss the start of pre-season training.

That came after Swansea rejected a £2.5m approach from Bolton for the 27-year-old, blocking his path to the Premier League.

Swansea's Portuguese boss, who had still to meet the player, branded his absence disrespectful, while Bodde's representatives hit back claiming Swansea were "ridiculous" to place a £5m valuation on his head.

Bodde has since tried to defuse the situation by suggesting there had been a misunderstanding and that he was always supposed to stay in Holland — where he had been receiving treatment — until yesterday.

Chairman Huw Jenkins also attempted to calm the storm, eager to avoid a repeat of last summer when Swansea's tug-of-war with Derby over Bodde dominated the back pages and disrupted pre-season preparations.

THE future of highly-rated midfielder Ferrie Bodde at Swansea City could become clearer today.

The Dutch playmaker had incurred the wrath of new Swans boss Paulo Sousa this week after failing to return for preseason training on Monday.

Reports suggest Bodde has been fined for his absence, but the midfielder said he was “amazed” by the situation.

The 27-year-old is widely tipped to be on the move from the Liberty Stadium although he is still recovering from a serious knee injury which saw him miss much of last season.

Bodde arrived back in Swansea yesterday and met with Sousa and club chairman Huw Jenkins to apologise for his delayed return.

Bodde told the Western Mail: “A lot of people are using my name in newspapers and I do not wish to add to that right now.

“I may be able to say something tomorrow.”

The Swans have already turned down a £2.5m bid for Bodde from Bolton with the club having put a price-tag of twice that for his services.

Due to a sell-on clause Swansea will need to pay half of any fee received to Dutch club Den Haag who they paid £80,000 for Bodde’s services two years ago.

But Wanderers’ interest in Bodde could well have waned slightly with the news yesterday that they had signed 29-year-old Sean Davies from Portsmouth on a free transfer.

It is also reported former Swans boss Roberto Martinez may also be poised to make a bid for Bodde to take him to Wigan. Martinez has also been linked with another raid on his former club this time for striker Jason Scotland.

The future of last season’s top-scorer for the Swans remains in the balance after he returned from international duty with Trinidad and Tobago for pre-season training yesterday.

Sousa has been casting his eye over his new squad for the first time this week. The Portuguese boss is facing his first headache with four of his senior players having to sit things out as they battle for fitness.

Skipper Garry Monk, full-backs Marcos Painter and Angel Rangel and striker Guillem Bauza all missed out on training.

The Latics are the favourites for the striker's signature, but they face competition...

Wigan Athletic are at the head of the queue to sign Swansea City forward Jason Scotland.

Scotland has been in prolific form for Swansea since he joined them in 2007, scoring 53 goals in all competitions. Understandably, a host of Premier League clubs have taken notice.

According to The Daily Express, Wigan are in pole position to sign the 30-year-old Trinidadian, but they will have to see off stiff competition from the likes of Stoke City, Wolverhampton and West Ham United.

Swansea have set an asking price of £2 million on Scotland, who has represented his country on 35 occasions, scoring eight times.

Mark Gower calls on Swansea City team-mates to make their choice
by Steve Tucker

SWANSEA CITY’S Mark Gower has told any of his team-mates not prepared to buy into new manager Paulo Sousa’s plans to leave the Liberty Stadium.

As the Portuguese boss gets to grips with his task at the club, a couple of big-name players are already being linked with a move away.

Dutch playmaker Ferrie Bodde, who earned the wrath of Sousa by not attending the first day of pre-season on Monday, has been touted as a target for Bolton despite being injured.

And last season’s top scorer Jason Scotland, who is away on international leave with Trinidad and Tobago and returns to Swansea on Monday, is reportedly set to link up with former Swans boss Roberto Martinez at Wigan.

Wideman Gower believes if the two players do choose to stay with the club it will be a big boost for the Swans, but he insists there are plenty out there willing to take their places if they do decide to jump ship.

“If we can get them both on board then it will be fantastic”, said 29-year-old Gower.

“But, like the manager said, he wants people committed and if they don’t want to be here maybe it’s better for them to go because I’m sure there will be plenty of other players who would jump at the chance to play for Swansea.

“The manager stressed to us he can improve us all and everyone’s here for a reason. But, although he knows everyone has got the quality, the main things he wants are commitment and desire, that we want to be here, we’re happy to be here and we want to give the club 100 per cent and that if you’ve got a problem with that to go and see him.

“He wants us to get better every day, but the main thing that came out of the meeting is that he wants committed players and people who want to play for the club and that’s good.

“The manager has got to sit down with them and show them what he wants to do and if they stay then it’s all well and good for us. They should listen to him first.

“Hopefully for us, he can persuade them to stay, and not just stay but be happy to stay.”

After moving to Swansea from Southend last summer, Gower made 36 appearances last campaign, but frustratingly failed to find the net.

After a creditable eighth-place finish in the Championship the Swans were left rocked by the defection of Martinez to Wigan last month.

Gower admitted he was sad to see Martinez go, but believed Sousa was now the right man for the hotseat at the Liberty Stadium.

And he said early indications were that under the Portuguese legend it was going to be business as usual.

“I’m not going to lie, I was disappointed to see Roberto go. I enjoyed working with him, but these things happen in football, you move on to the next stage,” added Gower.

“The new manager has come in and things have looked positive from the start. It looks like we are going to play football and that’s what the players want and what the fans want.

“The feeling around the camp is positive and very similar to what it was under Roberto.”

By Brendan Abbott

JASON SCOTLAND is closing in on a £2million switch to the Premier League after Swansea conceded they are resigned to losing their Trinidad & Tobago striker.


Scotland, 30, who has scored 53 goals in 104 games, is a transfer target for Burnley and former Swans boss Roberto Martinez at Wigan.

New Swansea boss Paulo Sousa said: “Jason could well leave – we cannot close the door on that happening now.”

PAULO Sousa held his first meeting with Mark Gower and talked to him about peppering the post.

Here is a sign of Sousa's meticulous approach and an indication, reckons Gower, that Swansea City are in good hands.

Signed by Roberto Martinez 12 months ago, Gower concedes he was "really disappointed" when it emerged the Spaniard was off to Wigan.

But the former Southend winger has been lifted by the first few days of the Sousa era.

"It's almost a revolving door these days," Gower admits.

"Seeing a manager stay at one club for three or four years is a rarity.''

SWANSEA City have suffered an early pre-season blow after four senior players sat out the start of their Championship preparations.

Club skipper Garry Monk, full-backs Marcos Painter and Angel Rangel and striker Guillem Bauza are all short of fitness as Swansea begin building towards Leicester City on August 8.

Monk is still going through the rehabilitation process after undergoing surgery on his troublesome back in May.

Bauza, who had a summer operation on his heel, is in a similar position while Painter is still to be given the all clear having suffered cruciate ligament damage last October.

All three have been on the training ground being put through their paces by assistant physio Ailsa Jones at the start of pre-season, but Rangel has only been able to work in the gym.

In what will be a worry for Paulo Sousa, the Spanish right-back is still struggling with the Achilles problem which hampered him at the back end of last season.

Plymouth and Swansea jostle for Haynes signature

Skysports.com understands Plymouth Argyle and Swansea City are keen on Ipswich Town forward Danny Haynes.

The 21-year-old came through the ranks at Portman Road and has scored 19 goals in 128 appearances - the majority of which have been from the bench.

He appeared as a substitute in Town manager Roy Keane's two games in charge at the end of last season and could be moved on before the start of the new campaign.

Haynes only signed a new contract until 2011 back in January, but has been attracting interest from Ipswich's Championship rivals Plymouth and Swansea.

Both clubs are in the market for attacking reinforcements and it is understood an approach is due to be made to Ipswich.

DORUS de Vries is staying at Swansea City — and he hopes good mate Ferrie Bodde will stick around too.

Questions over de Vries's Swansea future have finally been answered after the Dutchman agreed a new two-year contract at the Liberty Stadium.

But doubts remain over his fellow countryman's situation with Bodde tipped to depart for the Premier League.

In what represents an early show of support for Paulo Sousa's Swansea regime, de Vries insists the club Roberto Martinez left behind can keep progressing in the Spaniard's absence.

"Of course we can," he said. "If I didn't think that, I wouldn't still be here.
"In football people come and go — if people perform, Premier League teams come along and everyone has that ambition to play there or work there.

"I am the same, but you have to take your time and make the right choices and I feel we play well together at Swansea."

That process began yesterday as de Vries and Co took part in the first training session of the Sousa era.

But there was no sign of Bodde, who looks to have got off to the worst possible start with his new boss.

But de Vries has fingers crossed that his ex-Den Haag team-mate will be around for a while yet.

"Ferrie is a good mate of mine and I have spoken to him a couple of times," he added.

"He is just thinking about getting himself fit. He is a football animal and he is eager to start playing again after a nasty injury.

"If the chance comes to play in the Premier League, people want to take it.
"I know Ferrie has the quality to play at that level — I think he would do really well there — but I don't know if he will go this summer.

"From my point of view, I hope he doesn't."

PAULO Sousa admits Swansea City may be about to lose Jason Scotland.
The striker was the subject of a failed bid from Burnley earlier this month and is also wanted by Wigan.

And with just a year left to run on Scotland's contract, Sousa concedes the former St Johnstone man could move on.

"It's a possibility," said Swansea's new manager.

"We cannot close the door on that. It's a possibility for him and the club and we will look for the best solution for ourselves."

Scotland was not present for the start of pre-season training yesterday because he has been given an extra week off after playing for Trinidad & Tobago over the summer.

Another player missing was Andrea Orlandi, who is yet to sign the new contract offered to him by Roberto Martinez.

Kristian O'Leary is another who is yet to pen a fresh deal, but both could sign soon.

Swansea City has unveiled a special pledge that could see the club's growing fan base rewarded for their superb support with FREE Premiership football in 2010-11.

The club today declared to Swans fans everywhere: "Back us in the Championship and we'll back you in the Premiership.''

The arrival of visionary new boss Paulo Sousa has given the whole club a massive lift and the Directors are determined give the Portuguese legend every chance of building on last season's eighth-place finish in the Championship.

The pledge is simple, but impressive and ambitious: 'Every Swans fan who buys a season ticket for the new Championship campaign will be guaranteed a free season ticket for the Premiership if the Swans clinch a place in the top flight next season.'

The offer is open to new and existing season ticket holders. The thousands of fans who have already taken up the offer of the half-price season tickets pledge will be automatically upgraded to the free option.

And having watched Burnley achieve their Premiership dream at Wembley in May, it's an offer too good to turn down.

"Swans fans have had an uncertain few weeks,'' explained Swansea City's vice-chairman Leigh Dineen. "But the arrival of Paulo Sousa has given everyone a massive boost and plenty of hope for next season.

"You could see that renewed optimism in the ticket office on Saturday where Swans fans were queuing around the stadium to guarantee their season ticket for next season.

"Although it signalled a significant rise in season ticket sales, as a club we are still determined to not only reward our fans for their unbelievable support over the last few seasons, but also to give Paulo Sousa every chance of success by packing the Liberty Stadium with passionate Jacks for every game next season.

"We are all fighting to fulfil the same dream of playing top flight football, so our pledge to Swans fans is to back us in the Championship and we'll back you in the Premiership.''

The free season ticket offer is open until Friday, July 17, 2009.

DORUS DE VRIES has finally ended speculation over his Swansea City future after agreeing a new two-year deal to stay at the Liberty.

Dutch goalkeeper De Vries, 28, had been at loggerheads with club officials over a new contract and at one stage seemed set to quit the club after a breakdown in negotiations.

But, having been offered new terms following Paulo Sousa’s appointment, the former Dunfermline stopper has shaken hands on a fresh deal in time for him to start pre-season training under Sousa.

And after admitting he had come close to walking away, de Vries now can’t wait to prove his worth under the new man at the Swans helm.

“I was almost gone but now it’s good to be back,” said the Dutchman, who was expected to put pen to paper on the contract last night.

“And it’s pleasing because there is a lot of progress to be made with this club.

“Roberto (Martinez) has gone but the club have made a good choice with the new manager.

“People come and go in football but we have a team that clicks together.

“That’s why I stayed because I feel I can grow with this side.

“I have a personal ambition to be better all the time and I think Swansea City can help me with that.”

De Vries was brought to South Wales by the now departed Martinez, arriving on a free from the SPL back in 2007.

But having held one-on-one talks with new man Sousa, de Vries has been impressed there is plenty of reason to be optimistic over the coming season at the Liberty Stadium.

And with speculation raging over the futures of star players Jason Scotland and close pal Ferrie Bodde, the Dutchman has stressed there are still good times to be savoured at Swansea.

“I’m convinced the club can still go forward – I wouldn’t be here otherwise,” said de Vries.

“I’ve spoken to Paulo and I’ve been impressed. He’s a footballer though and through.

“Roberto was addicted to football and playing in the right way but so is this guy.

“A legend as a player with an international status and the club have made a great choice.

“Now it’s down to us to respond and take on his new ideas.”

New Swansea manager Paolo Sousa has criticised Ferrie Bodde after the Dutch playmaker failed to report for pre-season training.

His absence comes after the Championship outfit turned down an offer from Bolton for the 27-year-old, with Bodde believed to have been keen to move up to the Premier League.

While Sousa has criticised Bodde's conduct, the Portuguese coach insists the star midfielder - who is currently in the final stages of recovering from a knee injury - is still very much part of his plans.

Sousa said: "Ferrie's a great player but he needs to be a better professional.

More respect
"He (needs) to have more respect for his colleagues, for the club, for myself and especially for himself as a player and as a professional."

He added: "We want to see how (Bodde's) knee is after the operation, to integrate him into our squad.

"We believe Ferrie can play a high standard and we want him playing for us. I would welcome him back to be part of our squad, he's a talented player who can get us our results."

FERRIE Bodde's representatives have accused Swansea City of putting a "ridiculous" price tag on the player after Paulo Sousa accused him of lacking respect.

Sousa marked his first day's training as Swansea manager by hitting out at Bodde after he failed to turn up.

The player's camp have responded by claiming Swansea are being unreasonable in demanding £5million for his services — and have given no assurances over when he will return to Wales.

Bodde looks certain to face a fine of up to two weeks' wages after his no-show on the opening day of pre-season.

But even that sanction seems unlikely to have much impact on a player who appears determined to leave the Liberty Stadium.

"Swansea are using bad words against Ferrie and yet they know exactly why he wasn't at training," a spokesman for Bodde told the Post.

"We made an appointment with the chairman, Huw Jenkins, and we thought he would come over to Holland last weekend.

"We spoke to him about that last Friday but the appointment did not happen and now the chairman is unreachable.

"We wanted to speak with him before Ferrie came back to Swansea but that did not happen. At the moment I cannot say when he will return."

Swansea turned down a £2.5m bid for Bodde from Bolton last week
New manager Paulo Sousa says Ferrie Bodde needs to show Swansea City more respect after the midfielder missed the start of pre-season training.

"Ferrie's a great player but needs to be a better professional," said Sousa.

"He [needs] to have more respect for his colleagues, for the club, for myself and especially for himself as a player and as a professional."

Last week Swansea turned down a bid of around £2.5m from Bolton Wanderers for the 27-year-old.

Swansea's leading striker Jason Scotland - who wants to play in the Premier League and has been targeted by Burnley and Wigan - also missed the first day back at the Liberty Stadium on Monday after the close-season break.

We want everyone happy and committed at the club... if you don't have it you try to find a solution

But Sousa said Scotland's absence was agreed because of the player's international commitments.

Bodde, whom the club value at around £5m, is recovering from a serious knee injury that kept him out of the latter half of last season.

Half of any fee that the Liberty Stadium side receive for Bodde would have to go to his former club ADO Den Haag as part of a sell-on clause.

"We want to see how [Bodde's] knee is after the operation, to integrate him into our squad," Sousa told BBC Sport Wales.

"We believe Ferrie can play a high standard and we want him playing for us.

"I would welcome him back to be part of our squad, he's a talented player who can get us our results.

When asked whether there would be players leaving the club in the summer, Sousa said: "I don't know, it's possible. You have offers."

The Swans paid just £80,000 for Bodde in the summer of 2007 and he quickly became regarded as one of the hottest midfield properties outside the Premier League.

He was a key part of the Swans team that went on to win promotion from League One to the Championship.

His performances sparked interest from Derby County, who failed with two bids last summer despite a transfer request being handed in.

The eight-week transfer saga - during which the Swans were demanding at least £2m - came to an end when Bodde eventually made a u-turn and signed a new long-term deal.

But speculation over the Dutchman's future remained rife during the first half of last season thanks to his impressive displays in the Championship.

Only a season-ending cruciate knee ligament injury in the 3-2 defeat to Birmingham in November prevented bids from being made in the January transfer window.

With Bodde nearing fitness again Bolton, who were monitoring him last season, made their move.

Wigan Athletic, managed by former Swansea boss Roberto Martinez, are also understood to be weighing up an offer.

When asked about his future last week, Bodde said: "No comment."

Report: Premier League Clubs Hovering Over Swansea City's Rangel
A host of top-tier teams are chasing the Swans' star defender...

Four Premier League clubs are set to battle it out for Swansea City right-back Rangel.

According to the Sunday People, Wigan Athletic remain the leading candidates, given that ex-Swansea manager Roberto Martinez has just taken over at the JJB.

However, the Latics will have some competition in the race for the former Terrassa defender, who is valued at approximately £3 million. Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City are all interested, and could all potentially offer greater finances than Wigan.

Rangel has been a permanent fixture in his two seasons at Swansea, even being chosen for the League One team of the year in his first campaign.

FORMER Swansea City left-back Michael Howard has signed for Llanelli.

Howard, who was at Vetch Field until the summer of 2004, has joined up with Andy Legg's squad after being released by Morecambe.

Legg has been putting the finishing touches to his squad as he prepares for Thursday's trip to Motherwell in the first round of the Europa League.

Howard joins the likes of player-assistant Steve Jenkins, keeper Ashley Morris, defender Lee Jarman and striker Craig Moses as new additions to the Stebonheath Park squad.

NOTTINGHAM Forest will this week beat Swansea City to the signing of winger Paul Anderson.

The Reds are close to securing a deal, believed to be worth in the region of £750,000 to land the Liverpool player, ahead of their Welsh Championship rivals.

Swansea had seemed to be the favourites to land the 20-year-old, despite the fact that he had spent last season on loan at the City Ground, starting 26 matches, making two substitute appearances and scoring two goals.

But, following the departure of Swans boss Roberto Martinez to Premiership Wigan, Forest have swooped to capture the speedy wide man.

Anderson's campaign was partially thwarted by injuries, but Reds boss Billy Davies believes the Leicestershire-born player can be an integral part of his squad when he is fully fit.

And, with Liverpool willing to do business for a player they rate highly – but who is still unlikely to make the breakthrough at Anfield – Forest are likely to make him a permanent addition to their ranks within the next few days.

With a deal also close to completion to bring striker David McGoldrick to Forest from Southampton, the club's previous lack of action in the transfer market looks likely to come to an end this week.

The Nottingham-born player is likely to arrive in a £1m deal within the next 48 hours, barring any last-minute hitches.

And Forest are believed to be close to landing another target – possibly Doncaster's Matt Mills or Shaun Barker of Blackpool.

NEW Swansea City boss Paulo Sousa helped Cristiano Ronaldo to the top – and now he has promised freedom of expression at the Liberty.

If Swansea’s want-away stars needed any convincing Sousa can take their career to the next level, the fact one of his former proteges has just sold for £80m should do the trick.

While his close friends include the likes of Jose Mourinho and Felipe Scolari, the Portuguese legend has already coached some of the hottest prospects in European football, including reigning world player of the year Ronaldo.

As he settles into the Liberty Stadium hot-seat, that’s exactly the sort of pedigree the 38-year-old will need if he is to keep the talented squad he inherited together. And, with midfield maestro Ferrie Bodde and top-scorer Jason Scotland already expressing their desire to move on to the Premiership, he knows even that might not be good enough.

With Swansea simply unable to compete with top- flight clubs on a financial level, Sousa must rely on his own powers of persuasion.

In short, he will need to show the Swans stars what they will be missing out on if they turn down the chance to work with him.

Oozing confidence in his own ablity the twice Champions League winner is certainly going to give it his best shot.

And, highlighting the lessons he learnt working with the likes of Ronaldo, Sousa believes Swansea’s players can benefit from the time he spent with the Portuguese national team.

During a five-year spell working as a youth coach for Scolari, the former Juventus and Borussia Dortmund midfielder helped turn a number of promising youngsters into household names.

Among them was the man who has just become the most expensive player in footballing history.

“I worked with Cristiano before he made it big,” Sousa explained, when asked about his time with Real Madrid’s new transfer record-busting £80m acquisition.

“It’s interesting to see him now.

“Our style of coaching is very different in Portugal. We give a lot of freedom to the players to increase their fantasy of how football should be played.

“These sort of players are very special and we work very hard to maximise their best qualities.

“We wanted him to play to his strengths with a lot of personality.

“Working with the likes of Ronaldo can help you understand the different qualities every individual player can bring.

“A lot of players passed through me with the Portuguese youth and it really helped me see how I can make my own players improve.

“Along with Cristiano there was the likes of Nani, Joao Moutinho and Miguel Veloso. I worked with all of them through the age groups.”

As for how that work can be applied to Swansea, he said it depends on the specific role for each individual player.

“What I believe in, is good quality football and I will work with the players to achieve that here,” he said.

“I love to help players improve every day. I have a lot of history as a player in different cultures with different styles of play and living, and that is something I believe can help the players a lot. Then, if they improve, it pushes me to keep improving myself all the time.

“I can learn new things from them and our collective knowledge just gets bigger and bigger.”

As well as working with great players, Sousa can also call upon a string of high-profile coaches if he ever needs advice.

Having played for top clubs throughout Europe during his glittering career, he has the sort of contacts most young managers can only dream of.

Among the friends he can call for advice, two have coached teams to World Cup glory while three have won the Champions League.

And, while adamant every manager has to blaze his own trail, Sousa has no doubts Swansea could be aided by some of the greatest minds in world football.

“Scolari, Mourinho, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Carlos Queiroz, Marcello Lippi, Ottmar Hitzfeld to name a few,” he casually replied when asked which coaches he has worked with in the past.

“I have also had the chance to work with Uefa for the past six years which gave me the opportunity to learn from the best coaches in Europe and the world.

“I’m always open to learning from these great men so I can improve myself every day.

“They are still good friends of mine and I will speak with them for advice. It’s good to pass my ideas to them and listen to theirs. That’s life – it’s all about communication.

“But I still have my convictions, my ideas and I work with them.

“Above all we still need to be ourselves because it’s difficult to try and copy someone else.

“You can’t keep that going for a whole season and we need to recognise our own identity.

“When you give your input to the players, the chairman and the fans, you have to be yourself.

“People will soon recognise if you are just pretending to be someone else and it will hurt a lot.

“I know what personality I am though and I believe in my own ideas.”

FERRIE BODDE will report back to the Liberty Stadium early this week – and head straight into crunch talks with new boss Paulo Sousa.

But the Dutch playmaker has already been told to forget a move to Bolton Wanderers unless Swansea City’s transfer valuation is met.

And the same will go for striker Jason Scotland as he returns to South Wales in time for tomorrow’s start of pre-season training.

Bodde’s agent has made it clear to Swans chairman Huw Jenkins the 27-year-old wants to quit the club with Bolton bidding £2.5m for his services.

But Swans officials are ready to play hardball once more after last summer’s tug-of-war saga involving the former Den Haag star.

Back then Swansea refused to budge on their £2m up front valuation in the face of a diluted bid from Derby County.

And this time Bodde has been warned they will stand firm once again, with Swansea willing to hold out for a fee as much as £5m.

That is unlikely to come – especially with Bodde having been out of action with a cruciate knee ligament injury since last November.

And having paid his wages during his extensive rehab, Swans chiefs are loath to lose Bodde right now.

The onus, then, will be on Bodde to get back fit and firing under his new manager if he wants to follow former boss Roberto Martinez into the Premier League.

Sousa has also been made aware of Scotland’s wish for a move to the top flight.

Last year’s 24-goal top-scorer has told those close to him he is desperate for a switch to the Premier, especially in the light of Burnley’s interest and Clarets boss Owen Coyle having sanctioned a £1.5m deal.

But with Wigan also linked, Scotland is believed to be angling for a reunion with Martinez at the JJB Stadium.

Swansea, though, are not happy by the sums being mentioned in regards to the 30-year-old, feeling a 20-goal plus striker in the Championship warrants a higher valuation regardless of age.

It is thought Swans officials are ready to hold out for as much as double what Burnley have suggested.

Sousa will bide his time before splashing the cash made available to him by his new employers.

It is thought that won’t include a move for former loan star Paul Anderson, the club having agreed a deal for the Liverpool pace ace before Martinez’s departure.

Dorus de Vries should still be a Swan after he was offered fresh terms in a bid to spark a breakthrough in contract talks over a new deal.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has confirmed that the club have turned down a bid in the region of £2.5million from Bolton for Ferrie Bodde.

The Dutch midfielder, who signed a new contract last summer and is currently recovering from a knee injury, has been linked with a number of clubs.

But Jenkins is not prepared to sell and insists Bolton did not come close to meeting Bodde's valuation.

He told Swansea's official website: "We received a written offer from Bolton. The offer was worth around £2.5m.

"We believe Ferrie is worth a lot more than that and as a result we officially turned the offer down. In fact, we do not want to sell any of our players."

Ferrie Bodde was targeted by Derby County last summer

Swansea City have turned down a bid of around £2.5m from Bolton Wanderers for Dutch midfielder Ferrie Bodde.

The 27-year-old is recovering from a serious knee injury that kept him out of the latter half of last season.

Swansea chairman Huw chairman said: "We received a written offer from Bolton yesterday - the offer was worth around £2.5m.

"We believe Ferrie is worth a lot more than that and as a result we officially turned the offer down today."

DORUS de Vries is edging closer to signing a new Swansea City contract after talks with Paulo Sousa.

The Dutch keeper met Swansea's new boss for the first time earlier this week.
And though he has now returned to Holland, de Vries could be back to resume his Swansea career when pre-season training begins in earnest next week.

"I have had a chat with the new manager and it was positive," de Vries said.

"He said that he likes the way I play and that he would love to work with me, which is obviously good news for me, and things also look very good from a technical point of view."

WALES youngster Joe Allen last night gave Paulo Sousa his first boost as Swansea City manager by agreeing a new three-year deal at the Liberty Stadium.

The 19-year-old put pen to paper as Sousa began sitting down with senior Swansea City stars to outline his vision at the Championship club.

Allen made 26 appearances in his breakthrough season last term, scoring his first Swansea goal in the 2-2 derby draw at Cardiff City.

He made his debut for Wales in the 1-0 friendly victory over Estonia in May.

Allen’s decision to commit himself to the Swans has delighted Sousa, who has already held one-on-one talks with club captain Garry Monk to outline his plans following his appointment as Roberto Martinez’s successor.

And now Sousa will spend time with a selection of other senior squad figures before work ahead of the new Championship campaign starts in earnest on Monday.

“I was very impressed with what he had to say and I can’t wait to get started,” said Monk.

“I don’t think he wants to change a great deal because he has the same philosophy on how the game should be played.”

Swansea’s players were back on duty yesterday, taking time out to model their new playing strips for the forthcoming season and undergoing fitness assessments.

Having impressed skipper Monk, Sousa will now look to the likes of Alan Tate and Leon Britton to express his ideas before meeting up with the entire group when pre-season training begins.

The Portugal legend has also spoken to out-of-contract goalkeeper Dorus de Vries, one of three players with their futures left up in the air following Martinez’s shock departure.

De Vries now looks set to stay a Swan, while Andrea Orlandi and Kris O’Leary also reported yesterday.

But Sousa will have to wait before speaking to in-demand duo Ferrie Bodde and Jason Scotland.

Bodde is still in his native Holland finalising the rehab on his knee ligament injury, while Scotland has been given permission for a delayed start to pre-season after his international exploits for Trinidad.

Ashley Williams is also a late starter following his involvement with Wales earlier this month.

Bolton could be priced out of a move for long-time target Ferrie Bodde, after Swansea indicated they want £5million for the player.

The 27-year-old was a target for Gary Megson during the January transfer window, only for a serious injury to scupper any chance of a move to the Reebok Stadium.

But Megson remains a fan of the midfielder and has renewed his interest, although the Championship club say no firm bid has been made and they will not sell cheaply.

The player's contract at the Liberty Stadium contains a 50 per cent sell-on fee to his former club ADO Den Haag, which will undoubtedly lead to a large asking price.

SWANSEA CITY’S new No 2 Bruno Oliveira has backed boss Paulo Sousa to emulate the best in the business as he gets down to work in South Wales.

Oliveira is set to be named as Sousa’s assistant over the next few days, part of a new backroom staff to accompany the Portuguese manager’s appointment.

And the right-hand man arrives at the Liberty Stadium having worked under some of Europe’s top managers including Sven-Goran Eriksson, Carlos Queiroz and Sir Alex Ferguson.

But, as he gets set to begin life with the Swans, Oliveira is convinced Sousa has what it takes to add his own name to that list of luminaries.

“Paulo was a brilliant player,” said Oliveira, who will link up with the former Portugal international for a second time after working with him at QPR following a recommendation.

“He was a legend in Portugal. When I was a little boy and when I started playing football he was my hero. He was a national hero because he was one of the first Portuguese players to go abroad when he went to Juventus.

“When he won the Champions League it was a massive thing for the country because we hadn’t had a Luis Figo or Cristiano Ronaldo at that point. He was a member of our golden generation.

“But he is someone who invested a lot of time at the end of his playing career because he knew he wanted to be a manager.

“And he has the will and the knowledge to achieve the same level as a manager as he did as a player.”

Despite being surprisingly young for an assistant manager at just 31, Oliveira has enough first-hand experience of the elite European game to judge.

Having seen his own playing career wrecked at just 21 after two cruciate knee ligament injuries, the native of Lisbon set out on a coaching path that took in internships at some of the continent’s biggest clubs.

That included spells at Manchester United and four months at Real Madrid under Queiroz, who would later team up with Sousa in the Portuguese national side.

“I had a university background so it was important for me to have this experience,” said Oliveira. “I also spent two years at Lazio because they were the top team in Europe then and that time with Sven was important.

“Other young coaches there have gone on to Real Madrid and another works with (former Inter Milan manager) Roberto Mancini and are very important people in performance and physical training.

“These times benefited me as a coach.”

And it has seemed to have paid off with the young training ground tactician being hailed for his work during the pair’s short time at Loftus Road and tipped to be a major player on the coaching scene.

Yet Oliveira stressed it is Sousa who can really spark the next stage in Swansea’s development from the dugout, adding he won’t be afraid to go to another of Europe’s top men for advice.

“We have built up a good relationship,” said Oliveira of his partnership with 38-year-old Sousa. “He is someone who works very hard, is very passionate and very demanding and also thinks about football every minute of the day.

“His network of contacts is incredible with some very important managers, for example he has direct access to Jose Mourinho.

“So we can look forward to working together again. We did not have very long at QPR, but it was an experience and a good one because I think we did a good job in the conditions.”

Another member of QPR’s backroom staff is set to join the duo at the Liberty with veteran performance coach John Harbin lined up by Swans officials. The former rugby league coach has made a name as an expert in conditioning and sports psychology since switching codes and is expected to be appointed on Monday alongside a new European scout and goalkeeping coach.

DOUBLE Champions League winner Paulo Sousa can also scale the heights of European management, according to his new Swansea City assistant Bruno Oliviera.

The Portuguese pair were unveiled as Swansea's new management team at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday after the shock departure of Roberto Martinez two weeks ago.

Sousa arrives with a glittering playing CV that saw him represent his country 51 times and win Europe's premier club competition with both Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.

And, as he takes his latest steps in management following a troubled five-month stay at QPR, No. 2 Oliviera has backed the 38-year-old to one day repeat from the dugout the success he enjoyed on the field.

"He is a person who works a lot and every single minute he's thinking football," said Oliviera.

"Paulo has the will and the knowledge and the commitment to achieve what he did as a player."

No Champions League medal, but Bruno's following in hero's path

ONE'S career finished after he had become one of the most celebrated and decorated Portuguese players in history, the other's was ended almost before it began.

When new Swansea City manager Paulo Sousa was clinching the second of his Champions League winners' medals with Borussia Dortmund, his Liberty Stadium assistant Bruno Oliviera was facing up to every footballer's nightmare, a ruptured cruciate ligament.

Then, as Sousa turned out for Inter Milan at the San Siro Stadium two years later, Oliviera had to deal with worse news — he had suffered the same injury again and, at just 21, his playing career was over.

Oliviera, seven years Sousa's junior, was busy plotting his path into football management.

At 31, he would barely qualify as a senior player, yet his route to the position of Liberty Stadium No. 2 has been a decade in the making.
Oliviera studied for a degree in sports science, specialising in football coaching.

From there he spent a two-year internship at Lazio under Sven Goran Erikkson, studying the methods of an elite football club.

After that he continued his football education with shorter spells at Real Madrid, Manchester United, Parma and Fiorentina.

It was during a stint with Parma that Oliviera first met Sousa, a player there at the time. The Portugal playmaker retired soon after, having being plagued by injuries, and embarked on his own route into coaching.

And when he was handed his first management job at Queens Park Rangers last season, after spells coaching the Portugal youth side and as assistant to national boss Queiroz, Sousa bought Oliviera with him.

Oliviera was eventually sacked on April 6, shortly before Sousa followed him through the exit door, though that did little to discourage him when the chance to link up with his former idol arose again.

"It was an easy decision," said Oliviera. "Paulo was a legend in Portugal. When I was a little boy and started playing football, he was my hero.
"And he was a national hero because he was one of the first Portugal players to play abroad."

SWANSEA City have signed a two-year shirt sponsorship deal with online gaming firm 32Red.

The agreement, thought to involve a six-figure fee and be the biggest in the club's history, will see the 32Red.com logo placed on the front of Swansea's home and away shirts.

The Gibraltar company, who previously sponsored Premier League side Aston Villa, will also become the club's official online gaming partner.

Swansea vice-chairman, Leigh Dineen said: "32Red were talking to a number of other football clubs, including some in the Premiership, about shirt sponsorship, but we are delighted to become their chosen partners in football."

In keeping with Football League guidelines regarding gambling, children's shirts will feature a different sponsor.

Season ticket holders are reminded they have until 4pm on Saturday to renew their existing seats for next season. Any unclaimed season ticket seats will go on general sale from Monday.

Swansea City have unveiled the biggest shirt sponsorship deal in its history with online casino 32Red.

The "substantial" six-figure deal over two years also sees the Gibraltar-based company become the club's official gaming partner.

Vice-chairman Leigh Dineen said: "32Red were talking to a number of other football clubs including some in the Premier League about shirt sponsorship.

"But we are delighted to become their chosen partners in football."

32Red were the shirt sponsors for Premier League side Aston Villa from 2006 to 2008.

JORDI Lopez is waiting to discover whether former QPR boss Paulo Sousa will offer him the chance to join Swansea.

Lopez is set to move on after failing to agree a new contract with Rangers following the end of his three-month deal.

The Spanish midfielder entered contract talks soon after the end of last season, which continued even after he snubbed the Rs' initial offer, but discussions have now been halted.

Lopez is now likely to be approached by Sousa, who was confirmed as Swansea's new manager on Tuesday - three months after the Portuguese was booted out of Loftus Road.

Sousa signed Lopez during his short spell as QPR coach, which ended acrimoniously in April following a series of behind-the-scenes problems.

Lopez's agent, former QPR player Alex Bonnot, said: "I haven't heard from Paulo Sousa, but he and Jordi get on very well.

"Jordi has a few options but I know he liked playing under Paulo and that Paulo really likes him as a player."

Bonnot admitted that Lopez is "very unlikely" to be at QPR next season after the two parties failed to reach an agreement.

Rangers officials claim Lopez wanted a three-year contract and his wage demands were excessive - but Bonnot claims the club simply never made the player an acceptable offer.

Bonnot added: "Jordi really liked it at Rangers and could have stayed if the offer was right, but it wasn't."

Sousa is expected to bring Bruno Oliveira, his assistant at QPR, to the Liberty Stadium, as well as recruiting Rangers' performance manager John Harbin.

Harbin joined the Rs a year ago with former coach Iain Dowie, but remained during Sousa's brief spell in charge.

BOLTON Wanderers are back in for Ferrie Bodde — but Swansea City will demand up to £5million before any deal is done.

Bolton boss Gary Megson is a long-time admirer of Swansea's midfield playmaker.

But Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has laughed off talk of a £1.5m bid.

"I'm fully aware of speculation about Ferrie Bodde, but there has been no official offer," he said.

"I have had an indication from an agent that Bolton may be interested and Ferrie, like Jason Scotland, has come out in the press in the past to express his wish to play Premier League football.

"But both players are contracted to Swansea City and, from the speculation I have heard, the valuations being talked about fall way short of what we feel these two players are worth."

Paulo Sousa swaggered into the Liberty Stadium yesterday and immediately set his sights on becoming Swansea City's very own Special One.

Having been officially unveiled as new Swans boss, the Portuguese breezed into his new home with all the confidence and charm you would expect from a close pal of Jose Mourinho.

Just like when the ex-Chelsea chief first arrived at Stamford Bridge, two-time Champions League winner Sousa wasted no time in outlining his grand plans for his new club.

And the Portugal playing legend insisted he's ready to help put Swansea City's name on the world map . . . despite conceding he knew little of the club not so long ago.

The 38-year-old coyly chuckled when asked if he had the Swans in his thoughts back when he ran the midfield for a string of Europe's top clubs including Inter Milan, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.

But in his first in-depth interview since accepting a three-year deal for the Swansea post, he stressed: "The history of any club builds with success, with achieving important targets. The recent past is very good and I want to keep that.

"I want to put the club on the map. Not just England and Wales, but the world.

"And not by just myself, but with the commitment of everyone here. I want to help the club become something special, something important and I don't have doubts with the people here we will achieve that.

"When? Step by step. I don't care about how long it takes, what I care about is when we get it we keep it and we keep growing all the time."

Sousa accepted there are solid foundations on which to build following the work of Roberto Martinez, before his decision to join Wigan.

Yet, although the spectre of the Spaniard will loom for a long while yet, Sousa's tangible excitement about his Swansea challenge did much to draw something of a line under the summer saga.

And, although those tanned shoes could prove big ones to fill, Sousa insisted he feels not an ounce of pressure as he prepares his attempt to do so.

"I don't feel it," the multi-lingual manager said. "And the club, the chairman, hasn't put me under any pressure. We are looking to continue a philosophy.

"We know our project, we know the way we want to go, we know what kind of targets we want to achieve and I have the time to do it.

"The club is bigger than any individual so it will take all of our commitment and will to make sure the club grows bigger than it is today, to be better and better every day, stronger and stronger and not just on the map in terms of Wales and England but everywhere."

Still, though his stature remains impressive, the stand-alone statistics from his first spell in management seem to suggest he will have his work cut out.

At Queens Park Rangers, with some of richest owners in football, Sousa could not make his mark before leaving under a cloud just five months into the job.

Yet. while not wishing to be drawn too much on the subject of his time in south London, he left little doubt what he values more in a club.

"Swansea is a club with big foundations, stability and a lot of support for the manager, which are the right things to bring success," said Sousa, silver-suited for his welcoming parade in front of the cameras yesterday.

"And that support is more important than money. The most important things are the vision, the identity, the club.

"And to know the way to achieve success is the key. Money does not buy you success - but ideas, vision and desire can. We have it and we want to become even stronger in that sense. And because of that I have no doubts we will achieve what we want."

Unlike his predecessor, the romanticism is tempered with the realism of a manager who knows last year's push for the play-offs will be a tough ask to emulate at the first time of asking, especially for a new boss with just weeks to work with his new squad before the campaign kick-off in an increasingly difficult division.

And while he encouraged fans to fantasise about top-flight football, it came with a plea for patience first.

What Sousa would promise was a continuation of the continental style that saw Swansea capture the imagination on their first year back in the second tier.

"The first week I arrived in Britain I spent as much time as I could watching Championship games and one of the first things I said here was that Swansea were one of the best footballing sides in the division," he said.

"That's something I want to continue. It's my philosophy. During my career I played at a lot of big, important clubs and every one of them we played good football and as a manager it's the same because I believe it's easier to win games when you do that.

"So this is a restarting of things. We want to continue things that have been done well here, but we also want to improve, step by step, to be better and better as a club, as players and as staff."

When asked on what targets have been set for the season ahead, he stressed: "The second year is the most difficult year for a club after promotion.

"This season, in my opinion, is the most difficult season in the last five or six years because we have a minimum of 10 teams who will be looking for automatic promotion. Teams are here can spend a lot of money and have started already spending.

"But I believe in our squad, in my club, and the people here to keep us among them. And slowly we will understand where we can look further ahead.

"The chairman has already told me about being in the top division and we want to get back there. And with time we will arrive there. I am ambitious, I want to go to the Premier League.

"We need to dream, but we must dream with 90 per cent of reality. Dreams are fantastic because they keep us alive trying to follow it. But we need to know the way to follow and we must be clever to recognise that.

"The project is not about today, it's about today, tomorrow, and the next three years and more when we can build something stronger. That excites me."

So does he see himself as Swansea's own Special One?

"I will just be the one who gives all my knowledge, all my commitment to help the club to be more recognised than they are today."

New manager Paulo Sousa has pledged to maintain Swansea City's forward momentum after being unveiled in the hot-seat.

The Portuguese coach has been handed the reins following Roberto Martinez's departure to Wigan Athletic and is confident that the future is bright at the Liberty Stadium.

The Swans finished just two places outside the Championship play-off zone last season.

"I aim to use all my knowledge, convictions and commitments to help the club progress and build strong foundations," the former QPR boss told the club's official website.

"I believe in my knowledge and what I can do for the club. My philosophy is the same as the club's and I am delighted to commit myself to Swansea because we agreed from the start about how we can get success in the Championship.

"I already know how much quality the players have. Now I need to see if they have the same will to succeed as last year.

"Everyone has been very friendly since I arrived and I feel the chairman and all the staff that work at the club are committed to supporting me.

"I expect commitment from everyone, because the club needs to be above every individual, from players, staff, manager, everyone - that is our philosophy.

"We want to build and important family here, where we can always be happy."

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins expects a busy few weeks ahead


Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins admits the club could lose one or two players before the new season gets underway on 8 August.

Jenkins told BBC Wales that striker Jason Scotland and midfielder Ferrie Bodde are targets for Premier League sides Burnley and Bolton respectively.

"We've had Burnley interested in Jason Scotland but as of yet we've had no written offers in," Jenkins said.

"Bolton are interested in Ferrie Bodde and as things stand, that's how it is."

Jenkins added: "Bolton have verbally talked about things but there's been no written offer.

"Everybody else seems quite settled and looking forward to meeting the new manager [Paulo Sousa] and working with him.

"Our aim is to keep as much of our squad together as we can and we can give Paulo the chance to start off next season."

Jenkins admits keeping hold of Scotland would be his biggest battle, after the Trinidad and Tobago striker expressed an desire to play in the Premier League.

The Swans signed the 31-year-old from Scottish side St Johnstone for a bargain £25,000 in the summer of 2007 and he has gone on to score 53 goals in two seasons.

"It is a concern," said Jenkins. "No doubt it's difficult to try and fill those shoes if he did leave.

"On the other hand, he's 31 years of age and he's expressed his wish that he would love to play in the Premier League.

"It's going to be very, very difficult for us to try and persuade him to stay but we will try and do that with the new manager's help."

Bodde, 26, made an instant impression following his £80,000 move from ADO Den Haag two years ago.

He handed in a transfer request last summer when Derby came in for him, but later changed his mind.

Bodde's displays at the start of last season saw the Dutchman tipped for a move to the Premier League before a knee injury in November ended his season.

But new boss Sousa is philosophical about departures.

"The life of the club is selling and buying players," the Portuguese said.

"Of course it's not easy to replace important players, but the most important thing is the club, not individual players.

"Each one needs to be committed and will help the club be bigger and bigger.

"We need to take decisions. We've identified already what kind of quality we need.

"We know what we want and if Scotland left us someone will come in to replace him."

Paulo Sousa spent five difficult months at Queens Park Rangers

Paulo Sousa has been unveiled as Swansea City's new boss.

The two-time Champions League winner flew back to Wales on Monday after discussing the situation with his family in his native Portugal.

The former Queens Park Rangers manager signed a three-year deal to become Roberto Martinez's successor at the Liberty Stadium.

Sousa is expected to name a fellow Portuguese, a Spaniard and an Australian in his backroom team.

The 38-year-old is Swansea's 12th manager in 14 years after verbally accepting the job last Thursday.

The 51-times capped Portugal international has been out of work since April after his controversial departure from QPR following just five months and 26 games in charge at Loftus Road.

The midfielder, who graduated through the Benfica academy, played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe including Sporting Lisbon, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Parma.

He was in the Juventus team that beat Dutch giants Ajax on penalties in Rome in 1996 before moving to Germany and winning the trophy with Borussia Dortmund who beat his old club Juventus in Munich.

Sousa's coaching break came on the international stage as he took charge of Portugal's under-15 team before being appointed assistant to Portugal's first-team coach Carlos Queiroz in 2008.

Sousa's first managerial job was as boss of Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers but parted company when the club claimed he divulged sensitive information.

He beat off competition from former Tottenham assistant manager Gus Poyet, former Wales captain and Sheffield United player coach Gary Speed and ex-Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd.

Sousa is bringing in his own backroom team after Martinez took all his managerial staff with him to Wigan Athletic.

Swans physiotherpist Richie Evans has joined Martinez at the Premier League club, ending a 10-year stay at Swansea, and follows assistant Graeme Jones, chief scout Kevin Reeves, goalkeeping coach Inaki Bergara and masseur Oscar Brau to the JJB Stadium.

Swansea striker interests Wigan and Burnley

Swansea City striker Jason Scotland is attracting firm interest from Premier League duo Burnley and Wigan Athletic.

The Trinidad and Tobago international has emerged as a key player for the Swans and has scored 45 league goals in 82 starts since arriving from St Johnstone two years ago.

Former Liberty Stadium boss Roberto Martinez is considering an attempt to take Scotland with him to the Latics and has held initial informal talks.

Burnley have also been in touch with Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins, although manager Owen Coyle was keen to stress that no bid has been tabled, contradicting an earlier claim from the Welsh side.

"At no time have we made a written offer for Jason Scotland," he told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Discreet
"There was a private conversation between Brendan Flood (Clarets operational director) and Huw Jenkins where they spoke about the player.

"I've always said that we are discreet and will always keep our business close to our chest."

Jenkins revealed that there had been further contact from the Latics, but again no official offer has been made.

He told the South Wales Evening Post: "I have had a chat with Wigan about Jason Scotland.

"They have not made an offer, but they have asked to be kept informed of Jason's situation."

Lopez was brought to QPR by former coach Paulo Sousa

Jordi Lopez's agent has played down speculation that the Queens Park Rangers midfielder is set for a move to Championship rivals Swansea City.

Alex Bonnot has already stated that the 28-year-old Spaniard is set to leave Loftus Road at the end of his three-month contract.

New Swans boss Paulo Sousa signed Uefa Cup-winner Lopez during his short-lived reign at Loftus Road last season.

"No contact has been made from Swansea," Bonnot told BBC Sport Wales.

"There was a good relationship when Jordi and Paulo were at QPR. Jordi very much liked working with him.

"If Paulo is still happy to work with Jordi, he will come back to us. I want to let him do what he wants to do."

Lopez won the Uefa Cup with Sevilla in 2006 when the Spanish side beat Middlesbrough 4-0 in the final.

Before the switch to Sevilla two years earlier, Lopez made three appearances for Real Madrid.

He arrived in English football after being released by Real Mallorca last December, joining QPR in February.

Lopez opened talks after his three-month contract at Loftus Road expired, but was unhappy with the wages being offered and negotiations have ended.

Sousa, 38, is set to be unveiled by the Swans on Tuesday as the replacement for Roberto Martinez, who left to join Wigan last week.