Flamengo announces new head coach

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian football club Flamengo, which won Rio's state championship title with a 3-1 victory over Botafogo on Sunday, announced on Monday that Caio Jr. will be its team's new head coach, following the resignation of Joel Santana, who will manage South Africa's national squad.

Caio Jr., whose real name is Luiz Carlos Saroli, coached Palmeiras in 2007, and led team Goias to become vice champion of the state tournament this year.

According to the manager, Flamengo's Vice President Kleber Leite gave him a phone call on Sunday evening, after the state championship final, inviting him to join the club.

"I am young. I am sure that with time I will win over the players and the fans. I have the humbleness I need to continue with Joel Santana's excellent job," the 43 year-old former player told the local press.

On Tuesday, he is expected to be formally presented at Flamengo's headquarters in Rio. The club has the biggest number of fans in the world, amounting to over 33 million followers only in Brazil, according to a study released in Oct. 2007.

Caio Jr. added that he was confident that Flamengo will have an excellent performance in the 2008 Brazilian League, starting this month.

"There will be a meeting between us: me, Joel and the players. It takes some time to get to know the players. Thus, that talk is very important to kick off the Brazilian League," he stressed.