Real Madrid set to fire coach
2005-12-04 15:02
Madrid - Real Madrid are set to sack their Brazilian coach Wanderley Luxemburgo after an emergency meeting of club bosses here later on Sunday, Spanish media reported.
Club vice-president Emilio Butragueno and sporting director Arrigo Sacchi told Luxemburgo of the decision before training on Sunday morning, Cadena Ser radio and Antena 3 television reported.
Cadena Ser added that the former Brazilian national coach did not lead the training session as he awaited a call concerning his fate.
However, club officials remained tightlipped.
"No-one has told me anything for the moment," a spokesperson told AFP.
The nine-times European champions and 29-times Spanish league winners edged city rivals Getafe 1-0 in the Spanish league on Saturday.
The victory, Madrid's first in three league games and only their third in the past seven, took them into fourth place, three points behind joint leaders Barcelona and Osasuna.
But Luxemburgo was whistled off the pitch at the Bernabeu stadium after his side struggled during an encounter where the sending off of England star David Beckham for a foul overshadowed Ronaldo's 18th minute goal.
The Brazilian had also been lambasted by the fans after losing 3-0 to great rivals Barcelona at home on November 20.
The 53-year-old Luxemburgo, who led Brazil to the 1999 Copa America title, became Real's fifth coach in 18 months when he replaced Mariano Garcia Remon in December 2004. Real finished runners-up last season behind Barcelona.
- SAPA