Rio de Janeiro, Jun 30 (IANS): Former Brazil and Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has been sacked by Brazilian top-flight club Gremio.
The 61-year-old had been under pressure since the Porto Alegre side was eliminated from the Copa Libertadores by Colombia's Independiente Santa Fe last month, reports Xinhua.
"We decided there needed to be a change for the benefit of the club and have decided that this is the best way forward. There was no longer a good understanding between the coach and the players and it was important to act before it became untenable," Gremio's football manager Rui Costa said Saturday.
Among the candidates to replace Luxemburgo are Celso Roth, Renato Gaucho and Muricy Ramalho.
Gremio are currently seventh in Brazil's Serie A championship with eight points from first five matches.