Flamengo have sacked coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo less than 24 hours after the club qualified for the Copa Libertadores group stages.
In wake of media reports, president Patricia Amorim gave the former Real Madrid coach a vote of confidence on Wednesday evening, but the decision was made official a day later.
Joel Santana, who quit Flamengo in 2009 to coach 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa, is the favourite to take over after stepping down from his role at Bahia on Thursday evening.
Luxemburgo said after the 2-0 Libertadores win against Real Potosi that he would stay on as coach but Amorim claimed the decision was made on Thursday.
"It had already been agreed with the coach that we would talk after the game but no decision was taken before that," she told a news conference.
"We listened to the opinions of the players, the fans and saw this was the right moment to make changes. We spoke with Luxemburgo and we understood how difficult the atmosphere was. The conclusion from that meeting was to dismiss the coach."
Luxemburgo is due €1.3 million compensation as a result of his sacking but it is reported that the two parties are in talks to lower the amount.
The Brazilian coach's troubled relationship with Ronaldinho is believed to be a key reason behind his departure, despite the fact the midfielder said he would refuse to play for Flamengo if his overdue wages were not paid.
