Fluminense players meet fifth coach of the year

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Fluminense's players were introduced to their fifth coach this year when Antonio Lopes took charge of his first training session on Thursday.

Lopes replaced Josue Teixeira, who was fired minutes after a 3-0 defeat by Palmeiras in the Brazilian championship on Wednesday.

It was the 31st coaching change involving Brazil's 20 first division clubs this year.

Teixeira had been in charge for only four matches with one win, one draw and two defeats.

'Fluminense's problems are normal,' said Lopes. 'You'll find them in every team in Brazilian football.'

Club president Roberto Horcades said: 'We have an extremely competent group, but they need a maestro in charge. He (Lopes) has this profile and will lead Fluminense to titles.'

Ivo Wortmann, Paulo Campos and Oswaldo Oliveira have also occupied the hot seat this year.

Despite the off-field turbulence, 'Flu' are a respectable fifth in the Brazilian championship with 29 points from 19 games.

Brazil has an extraordinary turnover of soccer coaches and Lopes's move to Fluminense completed a bizarre circle of moves involving five clubs in the last three weeks.

The musical chairs began when Oliveira was fired by Fluminense and immediately joined Cruzeiro, where he replaced Paulo Cesar Gusmao who had been sacked the same day.

Gusmao moved to Sao Caetano to step in for Emerson Leao, who had accepted an offer from Corinthians after Geninho resigned.

Geninho then took over at Goias where Lopes had quit and Lopes completed the circle by joining Fluminense.