体坛英语新闻：Former Flamengo boss Ze Ricardo to coach Botafogo

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Former Flamengo and Vasco da Gama boss Ze Ricardo has been named the new coach of Botafogo, the Rio de Janeiro club said on Saturday.

The 47-year-old replaced Marcos Paqueta, who was sacked on Wednesday after a tumultuous five-game spell in charge which delivered just one win and five defeats.

In a brief statement, Botafogo said that Ricardo would officially assume the role on Monday.

The Rio-born coach has been without a club since quitting Vasco da Gama in June.

He began his professional managerial career in 2016, replacing Muricy Ramalho at Flamengo in what was initially a caretaker role. But the team's fortunes improved immediately and Flamengo agreed to make the deal permanent less than two months later as Ricardo lifted the side from the bottom half of Brazil's Serie A standings to third at the end of the season.

Ricardo is Botafogo's fourth coach this year, following Alberto Valentim, Felipe Conceicao and Paqueta.