The Kansai club were under increasing pressure to make drastic changes after opening the season with five straight losses in the J-League and Asian Champions League



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Gamba Osaka announced the firing of manager Jose Carlos Serrao, head coach Wagner Lopes, and fitness coach Wellington on Monday afternoon after the team opened their 2012 campaign with five straight losses.The club also confirmed the resignation of general manager Hiroyasu Yamamoto following the team's worst-ever start to a season. Following Sunday night's 2-1 loss to Jubilo Iwata, team officials held a meeting with representatives from supporter groups asking for their patience in an attempt to avoid sit-in protests such as those experienced in recent years by Urawa Reds and Yokohama F. Marinos. And the club has now decided to make sweeping changes on the bench."The team did not adapt to Mr. Serrao's footballing style, and began the season with five losses," club president Kikuo Kanamori said in a statement on Gamba's official website. "Additionally, we came to this conclusion after the lack of 'moving football' [that should represent our club]."However, Mr. Serrao conducted himself as a gentleman until the very end and is worthy of our thanks and respect."In addition to an embarrassing defeat to cross-town rivals Cerezo, Gamba have also failed to score in their Asian Champions League campaign and currently sit at the bottom of Group E. Masanobu Matsunami will now replace Serrao at the helm."I have to accept our results thus far, and take my new position [as manager] seriously," said former Gamba striker Matsunami."I hope I can make our players, staff, and supporters smile again by bringing our Gamba-style football back to the pitch as quickly as possible."Noritada Saneyoshi will replace Wagner Lopes as head coach, with Koichiro Yoshimichi taking over as fitness coach. Katsushi Kajii will assume the role of general manager.Gamba will hope to find their first win of the season when they travel to fellow strugglers Albirex Niigata on Saturday.