RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Former Barcelona and Brazil international right-back Juliano Belletti has left his post as assistant coach of Cruzeiro.
The 45-year-old's departure comes less than a month after his former Brazil teammate Ronaldo secured a controlling stake in the Belo Horizonte club. And it follows the departure of head coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who was sacked last week.
"This was my first club as a player and my first club as a coach," he said on Twitter. "Thanks for giving me the opportunity to return."
Belletti had occupied the position since February last year.
The defender began his playing career at Cruzeiro in 1994 before having spells at Sao Paulo, Atletico Mineiro, Villarreal, Barcelona and Chelsea, among other clubs.
He was capped 23 times for Brazil and was a part of the Selecao squad for the World Cup in 2002. ■
