RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Veteran manager Alexi Stival has parted ways with Atletico Mineiro, less than a month after leading the Belo Horizonte outfit to their first Brazilian Serie A title in 50 years.
Stival, who is better known as Cuca, cited personal reasons for his decision, according to an Atletico statement issued on Tuesday.
"Despite repeated attempts to change his mind ... [Cuca] said the decision was irreversible," the statement read.
Cuca also told the club that he would not accept any other coaching offer in 2022 so that he could dedicate time to his family.
The 58-year-old led Atletico to 48 wins, 14 draws and nine losses after taking charge of the club for a second time in March. In addition to the Brazilian top-flight triumph, Atletico won the Copa do Brasil and the Minas Gerais state championship under Cuca in 2022.
He also managed Galo, as the club is known, from 2011 to 2013 and led the side to the 2013 Copa Libertadores title.
As a player, Cuca was a prolific striker for Gremio, Real Valladolid, Palmeiras and Santos. He earned one Brazil cap in 1991.
Atletico did not indicate who might replace Cuca but local media said the position could be filled by former Flamengo manager Jorge Jesus, who left Portugal's Benfica earlier on Tuesday. Enditem
