Flamengo turns to Luxemburgo

Defending Brazilian champion Flamengo has hired coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo to try to end the team's league struggles.

Luxemburgo has replaced Silas, who was fired on Monday after leading Brazil's most popular club to one victory in 10 matches.

A former Brazil and Real Madrid coach, Luxemburgo was fired by Atletico Mineiro last month after failing to lift the club out of relegation zone.

Luxemburgo played for Flamengo between 1971-78 and briefly coached the team in 1990. He has won the most Brazilian league titles, with five.

A six-time national champion, Flamengo is 15th in the 20-team league standings, three points above the relegation zone.