Paulo Sousa named new Fiorentina coach

The Portuguese stood down as Basel boss on Wednesday in order to link up with the Viola, who sacked Vincenzo Montella earlier this month

Fiorentina have confirmed the appointment of Paulo Sousa as the club's new coach.

The Viola parted company with Vincenzo Montella on June 8, having been left frustrated by the ex-Italy international's reluctance to commit himself to the Serie A side by extending a contract that only had a year to run.

Consequently, Fiorentina have now turned to Sousa, who quit his post at Basel on Wednesday to pave the way for his move to the Artemio Franchi.

"Fiorentina announces today that it has reached a financial agreement with Mr. Paulo Manuel Carvalho De Sousa, who will take charge of the first team," a statement released on the club's official website read.

"The new coach will be in Florence tomorrow [Monday] in order to complete the bureaucratic formalities."

A former Portugal international who won Champions Leagues with both Juventus and Borussia Dortmund during his playing days, Sousa started his coaching career in England, with QPR.

The 44-year-old had subsequent spells at Swansea and Leicester before a two-year stint with Videoton, with whom he lifted the Hungarian League Cup in 2013.

Sousa then led Maccabi Tel Aviv to the Israeli Premier League title in 2014 before claiming the Swiss Super League crown in his one and only season at Basel.