By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Mano Menezes has resigned as coach of Rio de Janeiro club Flamengo after the club’s 4-2 loss to Atlético-PR last night in the Campeonato Brasileiro. Following one more negative result for the team Menezes decided the task of implementing his playing philosophy upon the squad was an impossible task.
Menezes had been in the post for just three months and two days. Speaking before journalists an hour after last night’s match he said: “I have just come from a meeting and am here to confirm to you I am no longer the coach of Flamengo.”
“I have spoken to the players. We are closing a four month cycle and after tonight’s game I cannot pass on my ideas about football to this group of players.”
The move comes as a surprise to some. Just 24 hours previously, at Flamengo’s training ground, Menezes has expressed the belief that he was making progress and it was necessary for the fans to be patient.
Paulo Pelaipe, the club’s executive director, said: “We are surprised by Mano Menezes’ decision. After the game, he sought the directors and told us he was no longer the coach before telling the players.”
The next coach will be Flamengo’s fourth this calendar year. Doríval Junior and Jorginho have already been sacked by the Rubro-Negro before Menezes’ resignation.
Read more (in Portuguese).
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