RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Former Flamengo manager Ze Ricardo has been appointed head coach of Cruzeiro for the rest of the 2023 Brazilian Serie A season, the Belo Horizonte club said on Tuesday.
The 52-year-old replaces Pedro Costa, better known as Pepa, who was sacked last week after a poor run of form that has left the four-time Brazilian Serie A champions 12th in the 20-team top-flight standings.
Assistant coach Cleber dos Santos and physical trainer Fabio Eiras were also confirmed as new members of the club's backroom staff.
It will be Ricardo's first managerial job since he parted ways with Japanese second-tier side Shimizu S-Pulse in April.
His first game in charge will be an away clash against Santos on September 14.
Cruzeiro are owned by legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo, who began his professional career with the club in 1993. ■
