Brazil coach Leao resigns

Leao's reign has come to an end

Brazil coach Emerson Leao has resigned from his position rather than wait to be sacked on his return from Japan.

Leao took the decision at Tokyo airport, where his team were due to board a flight home following their dismal performance at the Confederations Cup, the Estado News Agency reported.

The national side were beaten 1-0 by Australia in the third/ fourth place play-off in the tournament on Sunday.

The agency said that Leao, who only took charge in October, handed in his notice following a meeting with national team co-ordinator Antonio Lopes after the team had checked in for their flight home.

Humiliating

It added that Leao resigned after being told by Lopes that he would be dismissed on his return to Brazil.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) were not immediately available for comment.

Brazil, fielding a second string team, won only one of their five matches in the competition and scored just three goals.

On Sunday, the Brazilian radio station CBN reported: "Reliable sources within the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) assure us Leao will be fired."

And regional daily Folha de Sao Paulo said: "After yet another humiliation the CBF is expecting nothing less than Leao's resignation."

Brazil's World Cup qualification is also going badly, they are currently fourth in a group of ten in the South American section.

Only the top four will qualify, while the fifth-placed team go into a two-leg play-off against the winners of the Oceania groups in November.