RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 4 -- Rafael Dudamel was confirmed as the new head coach of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro on Saturday, 48 hours after resigning as Venezuela's national team manager.

The 46-year-old replaces Vagner Mancini, whose contract expired in December after Atletico finished 13th in the 2019 Brazilian Serie A championship. His contract runs until December 2021.

"Dudamel's excellent work done in Venezuela caught the eye of Atletico, who were looking for a coach with a successful history of working with youngsters," Atletico said in a statement.

Dudamel, a former Venezuela national team goalkeeper, ended his four-year spell as the South American team's manager on Thursday morning, citing deteriorating working conditions.

The announcement left Venezuela with less than three months to appoint a new head coach before the start of the South American zone qualifying tournament for the 2022 World Cup.

【体坛英语资讯：Atletico Mineiro confirm Venezuelan Dudamel as new manager】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Beijing preparing for ATP 500 Series tour in 2009

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Martin and Paltrow name Pegg as godfather

★ 体坛英语资讯：Greece: Olympia ready to welcome Chinese delegation

★ 体坛英语资讯：Djokovic tames Tsonga, Sun crowned with Serbian partner

★ 体坛英语资讯：Henin glad to shed Williams sisters fear factor

★ 体坛英语资讯：Djokovic tops Federer at Australian Open

★ 体坛英语资讯：Brazil does not need a number nine, says Dunga

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Hayden Panettiere stars in Got Milk campaign

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Lindsay Lohan checks back in rehab, report

★ 体坛英语资讯：Coach has support in Cup wake, Domanski likely to stay