Chapecoense sack coach Mancini

This file photo taken on April 18, 2017 shows Brazil's Chapecoense team posing for pictures during their 2017 Copa Libertadores football match against Uruguay's Nacional held at Arena Conda stadium, in Chapeco, Brazil, on April 18, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Tragedy-stricken Brazilian club Chapecoense on Tuesday sacked coach Vagner Mancini following a poor run of results.

Mancini took on the job after 19 Chapecoense players and coach Caio Junior died in a plane crash that claimed 71 lives in Colombia last November.

"The [Chapecoense] board recognises the significant work done by Vagner Mancini in the process of rebuilding the club and in achieving the important results obtained in the 2017 season," Chapecoense said in a statement.

The club from southern Brazil won the Campeonato Catarinense title in May but their fortunes have gone downhill since.

The team failed to qualify for the knockout phase of the Copa Libertadores - South America's top club competition - and are currently 15th in Brazil's 20-team Serie A standings, just three points above the relegation places.

Chapecoense said assistant coach Emerson Cris would take over as coach on an interim basis.