Palmeiras announce return of coach Cuca

Rio de Janeiro, May 7: Brazilian football champions Palmeiras have announced the return of coach Cuca, less than five months after he left the club for personal reasons.

The announcement on Saturday came barely a day after the dismissal of Eduardo Baptista following the team's 2-3 Copa Libertadores loss to Bolivia's Jorge Wilstermann on Wednesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

"It's with great pleasure and satisfaction that I confirm that I've come to an agreement with Palmeiras," the 53-year-old said in a statement on the club's official website.

"I come here with a let of energy and determination to work, while knowing that expectations for success are going to be even higher this time. I'm confident that with the help of the players, directors and my coaching staff, we will fight for all of the club's major objectives."

Cuca, whose birth name is Alexi Stival, led Palmeiras to 28 wins, 11 draws and 11 losses during his successful first spell in charge of the club last year. The Serie A title was the Sao Paulo outfit's first triumph in Brazil's top flight since 1994.

Capped once for Brazil's national team, Cuca also represented Palmeiras as a player in 1992.