Rio de Janeiro, Feb 3 (IANS) Flamengo head coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo was fired, just one day after leading the team to qualification in the 2012 Libertadores Cup group stage.

No replacement has been named yet. However, both Joel Santana and Renato Gaucho are in the running.

Fans displayed mixed feelings with the release of Luxemburgo. Some feel that he was used and that the club manipulated him. Others believe that the coach has been unsuccessful in corralling the talent of Ronaldinho, resulting in a disappointing performance over the past year.

Due to a clause in Luxemburgo’s contract, Flamengo will be forced to pay the coach nearly $2 million in compensation for terminating his contract early, Xinhua reported.

With Luxemburgo no longer in command of Flamengo, controversial striker Adriano may very well find himself returning to the club.

A conflict between Luxemburgo and Adriano previously barred the player from transferring to Flamengo. With Luxemburgo out of the way, fans may get what they have been asking for. The striker’s contract with Corinthians expires in June and the team has already expressed its interest in disposing of him.