RIO DE JANEIRO, Sep. 1 (Xinhua) -- Former Brazil coach Mano Menezes has agreed to coach defending Brazilian Serie A champions Cruzeiro, the club said on Tuesday.

The 53-year-old replaces former Real Madrid boss Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who was sacked by the Belo Horizonte outfit on Monday after a poor run of results.

"For me, it's an honor to work with a great club like Cruzeiro," Menezes said on Cruzeiro's official website. "I am fulfilling a long-held dream. In the next few hours I will begin working with the team to start our recovery."

Cruzeiro are currently 16th in Brazil's 20-team Serie A standings with just six wins from 21 matches this season.

Menezes, who coached Brazil from 2010 to 2012, has also had spells in charge of Gremio, Corinthians and Flamengo.