Grêmio of Porto Alegre announced on Sunday that it had sacked Portuguese coach Luís Castro, with the Brazilian club sitting in the relegation zone of the Brazilian football championship. Technical coordinator Luiz Felipe Scolari will take charge of the team on an interim basis.
Grêmio said in a statement that Castro and his technical staff were leaving the professional squad. The club thanked the staff for their work and wished them success in the rest of their careers.
The split followed a 2-1 home defeat to Vasco da Gama, a result that Grêmio surrendered after leading. Vasco da Gama are managed by fellow Portuguese coach Pedro Emanuel and are direct rivals to Grêmio in the fight to avoid relegation.
Fourth defeat in five games
The loss to Vasco da Gama was Grêmio's fourth defeat in their last five matches. It left the two clubs level on 28 points, with Grêmio in 17th place, a relegation position in the Brazilian championship table.
Grêmio's statement said that, on an interim basis, technical coordinator Luiz Felipe Scolari would lead the team in its next match against Botafogo, scheduled for Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro.
Who is Luiz Felipe Scolari
Scolari, 77, managed the Portugal national team between 2002 and 2008. He has also managed Brazil's national side and has a long coaching career across Brazilian and international football, now stepping back into a dugout role at Grêmio on a caretaker basis.
Portuguese coaches in the Brasileirão
Castro's exit reduces but does not end the presence of Portuguese coaches in Brazil's top flight. Abel Ferreira remains in charge at Palmeiras, Leonardo Jardim leads reigning champions Flamengo, Artur Jorge is at Cruzeiro, and Pedro Emanuel continues at Vasco da Gama.
Grêmio have not said whether Scolari's role will extend beyond the Botafogo fixture or whether the club plans to appoint a permanent successor to Castro.
