Ex-Barcelona defender Sylvinho takes charge of Corinthians

RIO DE JANEIRO - Former Barcelona defender Sylvinho has been appointed head coach of his boyhood club Corinthians, the Brazilian Serie A side said on Sunday.

The 47-year-old replaces Vagner Mancini who was sacked last week after a poor run of results.

"Corinthians have agreed to hire coach Sylvinho to lead the first team until December 2022," read a statement on the Sao Paulo club's website.

Sylvinho has been out of work since he was sacked as manager of French outfit Lyon in October 2019 after just five months in charge

He will arrive in Sao Paulo this week and is expected to be on the touchline for the club's Serie A opener against Atletico Goianiense next Sunday.

Sylvinho began his professional playing career at Corinthians in 1994, having been promoted from the club's youth academy.

Capped six times for Brazil's national team, the left-back's career also included spells at Arsenal, Celta Vigo, and Manchester City.