Queens Park Rangers have announced the shock appointment of Paulo Sousa as their new first team coach.

The 38-year-old, who won 51 caps for Portugal, and worked under Luis Felipe Scolari as the assistant manager for five years, has agreed a contract at Loftus Road until 2011.

Sousa will take charge of Rangers for the first time on Saturday at Watford and will be assisted by Gareth Ainsworth, who was the caretaker manager for the last month.

Sousa said: "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 Queens Park Rangers.

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

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

QPR owner Flavio Briatore said: "Paulo is a very good appointment for this Football Club.

"I have been keeping track of his work for the last few months and he is the right man for our project.

"He has great experience after working with the Portuguese national team and he is part of the new generation of coach. He has worked with some of the world's best players and we are excited about having him.

"His football career was highly impressive and he has great knowledge of the game. After five years with Portugal, he is ready for a new challenge and I am delighted he has agreed to join us."