Santos have sacked coach Dorival Junior after he prevented Brazil striker Neymar from returning to the squad.
Junior had initially agreed to reinstate Neymar after a one-match suspension for swearing at the coach and at his teammates in a Brazilian league match, but he changed his mind and said the striker would not face Corinthians on Wednesday.
Club directors were annoyed by his decision that they announced the coach’s dismissal in a statement on Wednesday.
Local reports say Junior is expected to take the coaching job at the club.