Fernando Gago leaves Boca Juniors

　　BUENOS AIRES, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Fernando Gago has been sacked as manager of Boca Juniors after less than seven months in charge, the Argentine club said on Tuesday.

　　The announcement follows Boca's 2-1 away loss to Buenos Aires rival River Plate in Argentina's Primera Division Apertura tournament on Sunday.

　　"Club Atletico Boca Juniors informs that Fernando Gago has left the first team's coaching position," Boca said in a brief statement on social media. "We thank Fernando and his coaching staff for their professionalism and wish them every success in their upcoming endeavors."

　　Gago, 39, guided Boca to 17 wins, six draws and seven losses after replacing Diego Martinez last October.

　　Boca currently leads the Apertura Group A standings but failed to qualify for the Copa Libertadores group stage after a qualifying round loss to Alianza Lima in February.

　　Local media reported that assistant coach Mariano Herron would take over on an interim basis while Boca seeks a new manager.

　　Gago, a former Argentina international midfielder whose club career included spells at Real Madrid and Boca Juniors, is the third consecutive manager to leave Boca without winning a trophy after Jorge Almiron and Martinez. ■