Vasco da Gama coach Ze Ricardo quits

Vasco da Gama have announced the resignation of coach Ze Ricardo after the club's 1-2 loss to Botafogo in Brazil's Serie A football championship.

The result at Vasco's Sao Januario Stadium left the Rio de Janeiro side 12th in the 20-team standings with 11 points from eight matches, reports Xinhua news agency.

"We tried to change his mind. We weren't expecting it," the club's executive director Paulo Pelaipe told reporters on Saturday.

"But his decision was already made. He is no longer the coach of the club. We've lost a great a manager."

Ricardo guided Vasco to 22 wins, 13 draws and 15 defeats after replacing Milton Mendes last August.

In other Serie A matches on Saturday, Atletico Mineiro were held to a 3-3 home draw by Chapecoense, Internacional and Sport Recife drew 0-0 in Porto Alegre and Palmeiras won 3-1 at home to Sao Paulo.

--IANS

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