Zico leaves Brazil's Flamengo

Zico has stepped down as Flamengo's executive director, saying he was unable to do his job because many people were unhappy with his presence in the club.

"It is not possible to do what I would like to do at Flamengo," Zico said in a statement posted on Friday on his website. "I realize that my presence has caused the discontent of many people. The conditions are not right for me to continue."

He said his plans to build a training center and introduce other changes at the club caused the mistrust of club executives.

Zico was named the executive director in May.

He reached stardom as a player with Flamengo in the 1970s and 1980. He played in three World Cups for Brazil - 1978, 1982 and 1986.

Flamengo said it had no comment regarding Zico's exit.