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RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Palmeiras coach Cuca has denied reports that he has signed a deal to join a Chinese Super League club next year.
Cuca, whose birth name is Alexi Stival, coached Shandong Luneng in 2014 and 2015, guiding the Jinan-based club to the Chinese Cup and Chinese Super Cup.
The 53-year-old said recently that he intended to return to China in 2017 but appeared to retract those comments on Friday.
"My reality right now is Palmeiras," Cuca told reporters. "I don't have a pre-contract with anybody. My focus is on helping Palmeiras become champions."
Palmeiras are currently top of the Brazilian Serie A standings with 54 point from 27 matches.
Cuca, a former striker who was capped once for Brazil's national team, is contracted with Palmeiras until the end of the current season in December.
