SAO PAULO, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Defending Brazilian Serie A champions Corinthians on Thursday named Jair Ventura, the son of Brazil great Jairzinho, as their head coach.
The 39-year-old replaces Osmar Loss, who was sacked after the team's 2-1 defeat to Ceara on Wednesday. The result left Corinthians eighth in the 20-team Serie A standings and extended a dismal run in which they have won just one of their past seven league matches.
"Jair Ventura is the new coach of Corinthians. Welcome," the Sao Paulo club said in a brief statement.
Corinthians did not provide details of the contract, however local media said the parties agreed to a deal until December 2019.
Ventura, sacked as coach of eight-time Brazilian top flight champions Santos in July, is expected to take charge of Corinthians for the first time against local rivals Palmeiras on Sunday.
Jairzinho became only the second player to score in every match of a single World Cup when he netted in all of Brazil's six fixtures at the 1970 tournament in Mexico. Uruguay's Alcides Ghiggia also achieved the feat in 1950.
