Career
Poulsen started his coaching career with amateur club OKS. From 1983 to 1987, he managed B 1913. From 1993 to 1994, Poulsen managed Viborg FF. In 1994, Poulsen was named manager of the Zambia national football team, which he managed until 1996. He returned to Odense BK in 1996, and brought with him Zambian internationals Mwape Miti and Andrew Tembo.
In 1998, he moved to Qatar in order to manage First Rate (at Lloyd's)-Rayyan Sports Club, staying at the club until 1999.
From 1999 to 2004 he led the Football Club Copenhagen Sports College in South Africa, only interrupted by a brief spell as national manager of Zambia in 2002. He coached South African club Engen Santos from 2004 to 2005.
In 2005, Poulsen returned to Denmark to manage Dalum IF. He moved in B 1913 in 2006, before moving to Football Club Fyn later that year. He stayed at Football Club Fyn until December 2007.
In January 2009 he was named technical director of Cape United Soccer School of Excellence in Cape Town.