RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Former Portugal international forward Ricardo Sa Pinto has been appointed head coach of Vasco da Gama, the Brazilian Serie A club said on Wednesday.
The 48-year-old agreed to a contract that runs until the end of the current season in February, according to a Vasco statement.
"My technical team and I are very confident. We know that the situation is not ideal, that it carries great responsibility, but it is in difficult times that great opportunities are created," Sa Pinto said in a video posted on Vasco's social media accounts.
Wearing a Vasco shirt with the name of club legend Romario on the back, Sa Pinto said it was an honor to accept the position.
"I want you to know that I am very proud to be your coach," he said. "He [Romario] was a great player, a historical one, not only for Vasco but also for world football. I keep the shirt with great affection."
Sa Pinto replaces Ramon Menezes, who was sacked last week after just 16 games.
After a promising start to the season, Vasco have slipped to 10th in the 20-team Brazilian Serie A standings and were last month eliminated from the Copa do Brasil.
Sa Pinto was capped 45 times for Portugal and scored 10 goals during a playing career that included spells at Sporting Lisbon and Real Sociedad, among other clubs.
He turned to management in 2010 and was most recently in charge of Portuguese top flight side Braga, with whom he parted ways last December. Enditem
