Colo Colo sack manager Salas

SANTIAGO -- South American giants Colo Colo sacked head coach Mario Salas on Tuesday after a poor start to the Chilean first division season.

The Santiago outfit have lost their past four matches and are 14th in the 18-team league standings after five rounds.

"The club appreciates the professionalism and commitment of Mario Salas and his entire technical staff," Colo Colo said in a statement. "We wish him the greatest success."

Colo Colo began the year positively by winning the Chile Cup and defeating Palestino 3-0 in their opening league fixture.

However, the 32-time Chilean top flight champions have not won since January 28 and hit a new low with a 1-0 defeat at Curico Unido on Monday.

Salas, a former midfielder who was capped five times for Chile's national team, led Colo Colo to 19 wins, eight draws and 12 losses after taking charge of the club in December 2018.

The 52-year-old's list of possible replacements include Argentinian Jose Pekerman and Uruguayan Gerardo Pelusso, according to local media reports.