Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has been sacked by Palmeiras, ending a second spell at the Brazilian side, the club said overnight Thursday.
Scolari, who during a first spell with the club led them to the 1999 Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League, was axed after a poor run of form.
Palmeiras said they were rescinding his contract “by mutual agreement” and assistant Flavio Murtosa also leaves.
Scolari, who had an ill-fated spell with Chelsea in 2009 before a surprise move to Bunyodkor in Kazakhstan, led Palmeiras to a cup triumph earlier this year but they are now struggling against the drop with just five wins in 24 matches.
The Copa Libertadores win remains Scolari’s club coaching highlight but he topped that with World Cup glory with Brazil in 2002 following a final win over Germany in Tokyo.
Thereafter the 63-year-old spent five years in charge of Portugal and led them to the final of Euro 2004 and the World Cup semi-finals two years later.
