WILLI REIMANN resigned as the coach of the German First Division strugglers Nuremberg yesterday, saying he had to devote all his attention to his seriously ill wife. Reimann took over just before the start of the season and the club is currently 15th in the 18-team Bundesliga.

"This decision was especially hard to take because of our difficult situation," said Reimann. "But one of the main factors behind the decision was the idea that the team needs a coach who can devote all his strength to it, unburdened by private problems."

The assistant coach, Thomas Brunner, will take over temporarily.

The Brazilian club, Flamengo, bought large advertising spaces in leading newspapers yesterday to taunt rivals Vasco over their 2-1 World Club title defeat by Real Madrid in Tokyo. "The nation congratulates Vasco da Gama for the title of world vice-champions in its centenary year," said the advertisements in several Rio dailies. The ads were signed: "Flamengo Regattas Club. World champions", referring to the fact that Flamengo, initially founded as a rowing club, won the title in 1981.