Fluminense sack coach Braga

Rio de Janeiro, July 30 (IANS)

Coach Abel Braga of Fluminense during the match between Fluminense and Gremio for the Brazilian Serie A 2013 at Arena do Gremio Stadium on July 28, 2013, in Porto Alegre, Brazil. (Photo by Edu Andrade/Fato Press/LatinContent/Getty Images)

Abel Braga has been sacked as football coach of Fluminense, eight months after leading the Rio de Janeiro side to the Campeonato Brasileiro title.

Fluminense officials confirmed the decision on Monday, following the club’s fifth consecutive loss against Gremio on Sunday, reports Xinhua.

“This year things have not gone the way we would have liked and we think it’s best to make a change,” Fluminense president Peter Siemsen said at a press conference.

Siemsen said he hoped to announce Braga’s replacement ahead of the club’s clash with Cruzeiro at the Maracana stadium on Wednesday.

Braga admitted that despite having won the Brasileirao for the third time in the club’s history last December, his performance in 2013 had not been satisfactory.

“If I was a director of the club, I would also make the change,” the 60-year-old said.

“That is our culture, you need results or you don’t last. I was here for 26 months, which is rare in Brazilian football. But without doubt it was time for a change.”

Among those touted as possible replacements are former Real Madrid and Brazil boss Vanderlei Luxemburgo and Ney Franco, sacked earlier this month as coach of Sao Paulo.