Struggling Vasco signs coach Ricardo Gomes

Published Feb. 2, 2011 2:44 p.m. ET

foxsports

Struggling Brazilian club Vasco da Gama says former Brazil defender Ricardo Gomes will be its new coach.

The 46-year-old Gomes will replace Paulo Cesar Gusmao, who was fired after the team's poor start in the Rio de Janeiro state championship.

Vasco has lost four matches in a row to start the season and has already been eliminated from the Guanabara Cup, the first stage of the Rio tournament.

The club reportedly tried to hire former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz, but local media said he rejected the offer.

Gomes, a starter for Brazil in the 1990 World Cup, was without a team since being fired by Sao Paulo last year. He previously coached Brazil's Olympic team, Flamengo, Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and Bordeaux.