Struggling Palmeiras and Scolari end contract

Luiz Felipe Scolari has coached at Chelsea and with Portugal since winning the 2002 World Cup.

Buda Mendes/Getty Images

SAO PAULO (AP) -- Palmeiras says its contract with Brazil's former World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has been terminated by mutual agreement as the team continues to struggle in the national league.

Palmeiras made the announcement on Thursday, a day after a 3-1 loss to Vasco da Gama, a result that dropped the club to second-to-last in the 20-team standings.

The Brazilian club with the most national titles, Palmeiras has lost 14 of its 24 league matches and is seven points from safety, with 14 matches left to play.

Scolari, who won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, recently led Palmeiras to the Brazilian Cup title, the team's first major trophy since the 1999 Copa Libertadores, also won with him in charge.

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