Santa Cruz hires new coach

Following the 3-1 loss at home to Sao Paulo on Sunday that kept the team in dead last in the Brazilian League, Santa Cruz got rid of four players and its coach. Mauricio Simoes was let go on Monday with former captain Valdson. On Tuesday, three more players were added to the list, with midfielders Zada, Mauricio and Tiano being released on Tuesday. Ernesto Guedes has been temporarily named the new coach of the team, which will have to win most of its games till the end of the season if it wants to remain in the First Division next year. With only 18 points in 22 matches, Santa is four behind Fortaleza, the next team in the standings. The first team currently out of the relegation zone is Sao Caetano, with 26 points.