Cerezo Osaka have fired their manager, Serb Ranko Popovic, due to the club's poor results, the J. League first-division side announced Monday.
The club is in 13th place in Popovic's first season in Osaka. He managed FC Tokyo the past two years and also managed Oita Trinita. Cerezo have yet to announce a replacement.
Cerezo have had high expectations for this season following the acquisition of Uruguay forward Diego Forlan, the winner of the Golden Ball at the 2010 World Cup. Yet the club has gotten off to a stuttering start this season with four wins, four draws and five defeats.