RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Uruguayan Paulo Pezzolano has been appointed manager of Brazil's Internacional for the 2026 season, the Porto Alegre club said on Thursday.

The 42-year-old replaces Abel Braga, who helped the club avoid relegation after agreeing to take charge on an interim basis in November.

"Sport Club Internacional wishes Paulo Pezzolano and his coaching staff success for the challenges ahead in the 2026 season," Internacional said in a statement on its official website.

It added that Pezzolano will be officially presented to the media "in the coming days".

Pezzolano has been out of work since parting ways with Watford in October. He has also had spells in charge of Torque, Liverpool Montevideo, Pachuca, Cruzeiro and Valladolid since starting his managerial career in 2017. ■