Sousa replaces Yakin to coach Swiss champ Basel

Paulo Sousa, former head coach of Israel's soccer team Maccabi Tel Aviv FC, will now serve as head coach of Swiss champion Basel. (AP Photo/Keystone,Georgios Kefalas,file)

BASEL, Switzerland — Swiss champion Basel has hired Paulo Sousa of Portugal as coach.

Basel said the two-time Champions League-winning player has signed a three-year contract.

Sousa replaces Murat Yakin, who left this month amid reports of poor relations with players despite guiding the team to its fifth straight Swiss league title.

Basel has direct entry to the 32-team Champions League group stage.

Sousa, who won Europe’s top club competition with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund, joins after guiding Maccabi Tel Aviv to the Israeli league title.

He coached in the English second-tier with Queen’s Park Rangers, Swansea and Leicester, then a spell in Hungary with Videton before moving to Israel.

Basel eliminated Sousa’s Maccabi side in the Champions League qualifying rounds last August, and the Europa League last-32 in September.

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