Palmeiras sack coach Machado

Rio de Janeiro : Brazilian giants Palmeiras have sacked coach Roger Machado, less than a day after the club's 1-0 loss to Fluminense.

In a statement on their official website on Thursday, the nine-time Brazilian Serie A champions said that youth academy coach Wesley Carvalho would assume the role on an interim basis, reports Xinhua news agency.

Machado, a former left-back who was capped once for Brazil's national team, guided Palmeiras to 27 wins, eight losses and nine draws after taking charge in January this year.

Despite sitting sixth in the 20-team Serie A standings, the Sao Paulo side have won just one of their past five matches and are eight points behind leaders Flamengo.

Their next fixture is a home clash against 18th-placed Parana Clube on Sunday.