RIO DE JANEIRO, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Former Barcelona and Manchester City full-back Sylvinho was Tuesday named head coach of Brazil's Olympic football team.

The 44-year-old, who has been an assistant to Brazil national team coach Tite for the past three years, replaces Carlos Amadeu, who was sacked in February.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced the appointment on the same day that Rogerio Caboclo was sworn in as the organization's new president. Caboclo took the place of Marco Polo Del Nero, who was last year handed a lifetime ban by FIFA for corruption.

"He [Sylvinho] is somebody who is respected all around the world," said Caboclo. "He is dedicated, studious and is recognized by our top players."

Sylvinho has also worked as an assistant coach at Inter Milan, Corinthians and Cruzeiro since ending his playing career in 2010.

Among his immediate priorities will be to guarantee Brazil's place at next year's Olympic Games in Tokyo. The qualifiers will be held in January and February next year.

Brazil are the reigning Olympic football men's champions, having won their first gold medal in the sport at the 2016 Rio Games.