Buenos Aires, Argentina (Best E Casino) - Boca Juniors coach Miguel Angel Brindisi has stepped down following Sunday's 2-0 loss to arch-rival River Plate.

Brindisi took over during the summer, but Boca has struggled to 10th place in the Apertura championship.

"I am the only person absolutely responsible for the defeat," Brindisi said after the River Plate match. "I belong to those who think that when things don't work out, one has to make way for somebody else.

"My apologies to those who harbored such illusions concerning something that didn't work out."

Brindisi, 53, did not grab a win in his last five matches, losing three times and drawing twice. He urged the fans to support the players and thanked management for "letting him work with absolute freedom and for their respect for him and his work."

Jorge Benitez, a former Boca player and current reserve team coach, is expected to be named the interim coach.