Paraguay have parted company with coach Gerardo Pelusso late in their disastrous CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaign.
Pelusso's departure was confirmed by the Paraguayan Football Association (APF) on Monday, with the country's chances of reaching Brazil 2014 all but over.
Paraguay are bottom of the group in South America with eight points, eight behind fifth-placed Venezuela with four games to play.
"(The APF) informs that coach Gerardo Pelusso has officially left the APF as trainer of the Paraguay football team at a meeting he held with the national team's director," they said in a statement.
Paraguay were beaten 2-1 by Chile on Friday with their next qualifier not until September 6, when they host Bolivia.
The last time Paraguay, quarter-finalists in South Africa in 2010, failed to make the World Cup was in 1994.
Gerardo Martino coached Paraguay in 2010 and also led his side to the 2011 Copa America final before quitting.
Francisco Arce took charge before being sacked in June 2012 – replaced by Pelusso – and Paraguay will now be looking for their third coach in a year.
