RIO DE JANEIRO - Former Brazil and Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has been sacked by Brazilian top-flight club Gremio.

The 61-year-old had been under pressure since the Porto Alegre side was eliminated from the Copa Libertadores by Colombia's Independiente Santa Fe last month.

"We decided there needed to be a change for the benefit of the club and have decided that this is the best way forward," Gremio's football manager Rui Costa said on Saturday.

"There was no longer a good understanding between the coach and the players and it was important to act before it became untenable."

Among the candidates to replace Luxemburgo are Celso Roth, Renato Gaucho and Muricy Ramalho.

Gremio are currently seventh in Brazil's Serie A championship with eight points from the first five matches.