The Cruzeiro soccer team expressed on Saturday their interest in brining in Cuca as new head coach.

Cruzeiro previously attempted to sing Ney Franco and Joel Santana, now with Coritiba and Botafogo respectively, but to no avail. The club now looks to Cuca.

"We are obviously interested in Cuca. He is a great professional and would fit it perfectly at our club. He orchestrated some great work at Fluminense and has a host of experience at other big clubs throughout Brazil. He is on the top of our list," said the director of soccer at Cruzeiro, Dimas Fonseca.

According to Fonseca, the replacement of recently fired Eduardo Maluf, Cuca is close to filling the shoes of former head coach Adilson Batista who quit as head coach on June 2.

Cruzeiro travels to play Atletico-GO on Saturday in the 7th round of the Brazilian Championship. Emerson Avila will be the interim coach for the team in the club's last match before a break due to the World Cup.

During the month-long break, Cruzeiro will travel to the United States in order to train, practice and host friendly games. Avila will lead the coach during their trip unless Cuca is signed before the team heads north.