Corinthians slumped to a 3-1 state championship defeat at Sao Caetano on Sunday, with new coach Mano Menezes left to size up the task of restoring the struggling giant to the Brazilian top flight.

The arrival of Menezes, who led Gremio to the final of the South American Libertadores Cup last year, has raised hopes of a revival following relegation to the second division in December.

Sao Caetano exposed a poorly integrated Corinthians line-up with two goals resulting from elementary defensive errors that permitted Fabio Luis and Luan to canter through the rearguard to score.

Corinthians' new signing Uruguayan Alberto Acosta gifted Sao Caetano another goal with a glancing header into his own net.

Corinthians is one of Brazil's best-supported clubs, and last won the national title in 2005, but has suffered a rapid decline after a controversial partnership with the London-based Media Sports Investments turned sour.

Vasco da Gama lost 2-1 at home to Madureira and were coached by Alfredo Sampaio as Romario's debut as player-coach was put on ice.

The former Brazil international is serving a 120-day ban after testing positive for the banned masking agent finasteride following a state championship match in October.

Romario has been taking charge of Vasco's training sessions but watched from the stands on Sunday.