Sao Paulo have sacked coach Muricy Ramalho and named Ricardo Gomes as his replacement following their elimination from the Copa Libertadores. Ramalho arrived at the club in 2006 and led the team to three consecutive Campeonato Brasileiro titles, but Thursday's 2-0 defeat at home to Cruzeiro signalled the end of the road in the continental competition and the end of the road for Ramalho.

"I want to thank the board, who gave me the chance of returning to the club and winning, getting myself in the club's history because the Campeonato Brasileiro titles we won are very important to me," said Ramalho.

The Sao Paulo board did not waste any time in announcing Ramalho's successor, appointing Ricardo Gomes on a one-year deal.

Muricy's departure now is because I understood that it was time and we have already named a successor: Ricardo Gomes.
Sao Paulo President Juvenal Silva

Sao Paulo president Juvenal Silva said: "To make a coaching change it is necessary to have three elements: first, to be convinced that it is necessary to change the boss; second, the timing of the decision; and third, who the new man will be.

"Muricy's departure now is because I understood that it was time and we have already named a successor: Ricardo Gomes," he said.

The 44-year-old began his coaching career in 1996 while still playing for Paris Saint-Germain, and after two seasons returned to Brazil to have spells with Sport, Guarani, Juventude and Coritiba.

Gomes' travels
In 2002, Ricardo Gomes led the national Under-23 squad's failed bid for 2004 Olympic Football Tournament glory and later took on jobs at Flamengo and Fluminense. He then headed back to France, where he guided Bordeaux to a runners-up finish in 2005/2006 and then coached Monaco for the last two seasons.