Ex-Brazil midfielder Doriva quits as Santa Cruz coach

IANS

Rio de Janeiro, Oct 21 (IANS) Former Middlesbrough and Brazil international midfielder Doriva has quit as coach of Santa Cruz, just 10 weeks after taking charge of the Brazilian Serie A club.

In a statement on their Facebook page, Santa Cruz said the 44-year-old resigned after a meeting with club directors on Thursday,reports Xinhua.

The announcement was made after a 1-0 loss to Botafogo on Wednesday, a result that left them second-last in the 20-team standings and facing almost certain relegation.

Promoted from Serie B last season, Santa Cruz are mired in a financial crisis amid reports that players and coaching staff have not been paid since May.

--IANS

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