Romario, right, says he and Vasco are history [EPA]

Miranda confirmed Romario had stepped down after being told he had to play young striker Alan Kardec in Wednesday's state championship match against Friburguense.

"When I learned that (Romario) intended to leave Alan on the bench, I looked at it all ways and it didn't seem fair to the player or to Vasco..." Miranda said.

"How can a player with such potential be left out when everyone else wants him?

"I deeply regret what has happened ... but I reserve the right to do what I think is best for Vasco," Miranda said.

Romario resigned before the match, which Vasco won 2-0.

Brazilian news agency Globo quoted Romario as saying Miranda's order to play Kardec had been motivated by a desire to sell the player.

"I wanted to protect the youngster. But if they want to sell him then so be it. I do not accept this kind of interference," said Romario.

"Vasco and me are history."

Miranda denied he was planning to sell Kardec, saying he had already turned down offers for the youngster.

Romario's managerial career had barely begun because he has been confined to a backroom role while serving a 120-day doping suspension issued after an October test revealed he had used a banned masking agent, which he blamed on a hair loss product.

The 1994 World Cup winner, now 42, had said he would finish his playing career at the end of March.

Miranda is one of the most controversial club owners in Brazil.

A match was once abandoned at Vasco's Sao Januario stadium after he marched his security guards on to the field to protest about his team receiving three red cards.