体坛英语新闻：Mano Menezes attempts to resign as head coach of Corinthians

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Corinthians soccer team head coach Mano Menezes handed in his letter of resignation on Friday to the club president but was asked to stay.

The coach's inability to lead the team into the quarterfinals of the Libertadores Cup caused him to unilaterally announce his dismissal.

However, the coach was convinced to stay on board and even received a contract extension.

After announcing his desire to leave the team, Menezes met with club president Andres Sanchez and the club's director of soccer Mario Gobbi. Sanchez and Gobbi convinced Menezes that he should stay with the team. They added that they have complete confidence in the coach and his work with the team over the past 29 months. As a vote of confidence, Menezes' contract was extended to December 2011.

The day after Corinthians' elimination from the Libertadores Cup at the hands of Flamengo, the team's organized fan base demanded that the coach be fired. Succumbing to the pressure and disappointment, Menezes decided to give the fans what they wanted by resigning.

"The tournament is over for us. We now are focused on the Brazilian Championship and the 2011 season. We are going to begin a new cycle of soccer at Corinthinas, but it will only take shape in August," declared Mario Gobbi.

Menezes complained about the team's lack of physical preparation. For this reason, the team's physical trainer Valmir Cruz was released from his post. In addition, Cruz's assistants Antonio Bona and Marcos Silva were fired. Eduardo Silva will replace Cruz and will have the liberty to name his assistants.