RIO DE JANEIRO - Former Brazil international forward Renato "Gaucho" Portaluppi has been appointed head coach of Flamengo for the rest of the 2020 season, the reigning Brazilian Serie A champions said on Saturday.

The 58-year-old replaces Rogerio Ceni, who was sacked earlier in the day after a poor run of results.

The winners of the past two Brazilian Serie A titles, Flamengo, are currently 12th in the 20-team league standings, 13 points behind leaders Palmeiras

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"Flamengo informs that Renato Gaucho is the new manager of the first team," the Rio de Janeiro club said in a brief message on social media.

His first game in charge is likely to be the opening leg of Flamengo's Copa Libertadores round of 16 clash against Defensa y Justicia in Argentina on Wednesday.

Renato has been out of work since ending a successful five-year tenure with Gremio in April.

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As a player, Renato had four separate spells with Flamengo in a 20-year professional career that included 41 Brazil caps.

The winners of the past two Brazilian Serie A titles, Flamengo, are currently 12th in the 20-team league standings, 13 points behind leaders Palmeiras.