Scolari leaves Cruzeiro after brief second spell
(Reuters) - Former Brazil and Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has left Cruzeiro by mutual consent after a brief three months in charge during which he saved the Serie B club from the threat of a second consecutive relegation.
Scolari, who also coached Chelsea, Gremio and Palmeiras, took over at the troubled side in October last year when they were 19th in the 20-team league, with just 12 points from 15 games.
His arrival on a two-year contract prompted an uptick in the fortunes of the Belo Horizonte giants.
They currently sit 12th in Serie B, safe from relegation but with no chance of being automatically promoted back to the top tier.
His record during 21 games in charge was nine wins, eight draws and four defeats.
“Collaborating with the club during the most challenging moment in its history, Scolari and his staff fulfilled the important recovery mission,” Cruzeiro said in a statement.
Scolari is most famous for guiding Brazil to the World Cup in 2002.
(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
