April 22, 2008 11:04 PM

SOURCE:
uefa.com

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Machado makes way at Braga

Manuel Machado has ended a short, turbulent spell as coach of SC Braga after stepping down in the wake of the 4-1 defeat at CS Marítimo on Saturday, which extinguished any faint hope of claiming a UEFA Cup berth next term.

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The club announced on Monday evening that they had "received and accepted the coach's resignation", ending a disappointing five-and-a-half month spell at the helm for Machado. Having been dismissed by A. Académica de Coimbra at the start of the season, the 52-year-old was appointed by Braga in mid-November to replace former Portugal defender Jorge Costa. He initially oversaw a slight upturn in fortunes, the side picking up seven points in his first three games in charge. Yet Braga have since won only twice in 14 Portuguese Liga outings, including a run of three successive defeats culminating in the Marítimo loss that left them ninth, eight points off a guaranteed UEFA Cup spot with three games remaining, ultimately leading to Machado's departure.