Santana takes over third Brazilian team this year

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 28 (Reuters) -- Joel Santana, who has already been fired as coach by two clubs during the Brazilian championship so far this season, is to have a third bite of the cherry with Vasco da Gama.

Santana, 55, has taken over at the struggling club to replace Geninho, who resigned following a 5-2 home defeat by Palmeiras on Sunday, Vasco said on their official website.

Santana, who was fired by Fluminense and Vitoria during last year's Brazilian championship, began the competition this season with Guarani, where he only lasted five games. He then tried his luck at Internacional, where he lasted 16 matches.

He now returns for a fourth stint at Vasco da Gama, who he last coached in 2000-01.

Geninho became the 32nd victim -- an average of one coach for every round of matches -- of Brazil's infamous Dance of the Coaches when he resigned on Monday.

Vasco are 17th in the 24-team and hovering close to the relegation zone. The bottom four go down.

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