Skidding Flamengo fires coach

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) -- Flamengo fired coach Ricardo Gomes on Monday, two days after the team lost to Juventude and slipped closer to relegation to the second division.

Club President Marcio Braga didn't name a replacement, but Gomes was long rumored to be headed out when he sided with the squad in a disagreement with new striker Dimba.

Hard feelings arose when Dimba, the league's top scorer last season with 31 goals, recently was paid some 1.5 millions reals, or $500,000, while many players haven't received paychecks for months.

"Ricardo Gomes Vs. Dimba," read a headline Monday in the Rio daily O Globo.

Gomes apparently was the loser.

"It wasn't me who asked to leave. It was their decision," said Gomes, referring to club executives in an interview with Pele's web site, www.pele.net. "A coach needs results to keep his job. When the ball doesn't go in, you can't win."

Flamengo, winner of a record five national championships, couldn't find the net in a 1-0 loss to Juventude on Saturday.

The loss left Flamengo in 21st place in the 24-club first division. The team has just 42 points in 39 games and trails leader Santos by 30 points.

The last four clubs will be relegated to the second division next season.

Gomes, a former all-star defender, has struggled since he resigned as coach of France's Paris Saint Germain. He was fired this year as coach of Fluminense and of Brazil's under-23 soccer team, which failed to qualify for the Olympic games.

Still, his exit was criticized by Flamengo players.

"This was a surprise for the group," said all-star midfielder Felipe. "Flamengo will suffer for this."