Real Madrid fire Luxemburgo

2005-12-05 07:25

Stephen Mackey

Madrid - Real Madrid fired coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo on Sunday, less than two weeks after the team's board gave him a vote of confidence.

Luxemburgo, who was in charge for nearly a year, proved unable to halt a series of poor displays which led to protests by Madrid supporters at recent games.

"The board has taken the decision that Vanderlei Luxemburgo will not continue in charge of Real Madrid on the basis of a report by the managers of the club's sports section.

The club has been in contact with both Luxemburgo and Raul Gonzalez, captain of Real Madrid, to inform them," Madrid said in a statement.

The Brazilian is the fifth coach to depart the powerhouse in the past 2 1/2 years, during which it has failed to win a major trophy.

"It wasn't an easy decision but the situation of the team was such that it was decided we needed a change," vice-president Emilio Butragueno said.

"The performance wasn't up to expectations. It was worrying for us and Madrid supporters."

Replaced by Juan Ramon Lopez Caro

Luxemburgo was replaced on an interim basis by Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, the 42-year-old coach of reserve team Real Madrid Castilla, which plays in the Spanish second division.

Butragueno said Lopez Caro will be in charge for Tuesday's European Champions League game against Olympiakos in Athens.

"We want to reflect and in the next few weeks we'll make a decision," Butragueno said.

Juventus coach Fabio Capello, who guided Real to the league title in 1997, Liverpool's Rafael Benitez, England's Sven-Goran Eriksson and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger all have been suggested as possible permanent replacements.

Madrid announced Luxemburgo's dismissal following a meeting between club president Florentino Perez, Butragueno and director of soccer Arrigo Sacchi and an emergency session of its board at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Butragueno said the board's decision was unanimous and said that Luxemburgo's four Brazilian assistants also would leave.

Best start by a Madrid coach

Luxemburgo did well initially upon his arrival from Brazil's Santos last December, establishing the best start of any Real Madrid coach by leading the team to seven straight league victories.

The team eventually finished runner-up to FC Barcelona.

This season, Madrid has been erratic and has won just three of its last seven Spanish league games, leaving it in fourth place, six points behind leader Barcelona.

Madrid's lackluster showing in its 1-0 Spanish league win over Getafe on Saturday reportedly displeased Perez, who is said to have held a crisis meeting with club officials afterward.

Luxemburgo was jeered by the crowd when he replaced Ronaldo with midfielder Thomas Gravesen in the 87th minute. A similar incident occurred in the recent Champions League game with Lyon after he swapped Beckham for defender Michel Salgado.

Madrid's period of upheaval began when Vicente del Bosque was fired in June 2003, a day after the team won the Spanish league title for a record 29th time.

- SAPA