Born in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Gallo joined the youth categories of hometown side Botafogo-SP in 1980.

He was promoted to the first team in 1986, and made his professional debut on 15 March of the following year, in a 2–1 Campeonato Paulista home win over Mogi Mirim.

[7] Gallo returned to assistant duties after the 2004 Campeonato Mineiro, joining Vanderlei Luxemburgo's staff at Santos.

On 11 February 2005, he replaced Zé Teodoro at the helm of Portuguesa,[8] but left on 23 March to return to Santos, now as head coach.

[9] Gallo was sacked by Peixe on 27 September 2005,[10] and moved abroad for the first time in his career on 20 December, after taking over FC Tokyo in Japan.

[11] Back to his home country, Gallo was named Sport Recife head coach for the 2007 season, but left for Internacional on 26 April of that year.

[22] Sacked by Timbu on 29 September 2010,[23] Gallo moved to the United Arab Emirates after being appointed at Al-Ain on 21 December.

[39] Gallo was fired from Atlético on 30 October 2018,[40] and spent a year without a club before returning to coaching duties on 25 January 2020, after being appointed São Caetano.