38 and counting . . .

They come, they go in the madcap, merry-go-round of Brazilian fitba' coaching. Oswaldo Oliveira, of the popular Flamengo club, became the 38th victim since the championship started in March when he walked out this week, citing club politics as the reason. At Fortaleza, Luiz Carlos Cruz resigned after their first game, returned 12 matches later, and resigned again after another 14 games in charge.

It gets better. Fluminense fired Renato Portaluppi in June only to reappoint him two weeks ago after sacking two other coaches in between. Feeling dizzy?

Tall tale

A 7ft 7in basketball legend is set to become the world's tallest jockey. Manute Bol, who starred in the NBA for 11 seasons, plans to make his debut today, providing they can find a horse big enough for him. Bol is taking on the challenge to raise money for charity.

Punters won't have any problem spotting the

40-year-old. His silks measure 7ft from cuff to cuff, he takes size 20 shoes and he'll be head and shoulders above his rivals.

Wonder what 5ft 9in racing icon Lester Piggott - nicknamed ''The Longfellow'' - would make of it all?

Make mine a double

Footballers, cars and strong drink. It's a bad mix. Take Eirik Bakke, Norwegian defender with troubled Leeds United. Just 11 days before he was banned for two years for drink driving, the Scandinavian boozer was nicked for speeding on a motorway. Bakke was clocked in his BMW M3 on the M62 at a speed of 63mph in a 50mph speed limit in force due to roadworks. The damage? A 200-quid fine, three penalty points and a red face.