He subsequently moved to Botafogo after a short stint with São Cristóvão, and finished his formation with Fluminense, where he started his senior career.
In March 2012, Couto was named manager of Vitória das Tabocas' women's team,[2] leading the club to the semifinals of the 2012 Copa do Brasil de Futebol Feminino.
On 21 November of the following year, he was appointed manager of the men's team,[3] but resigned on 29 January 2014, after 18 points in 14 matches of the 2014 Campeonato Pernambucano.
[8] On 11 February 2019, he returned to men's football after being named manager of Campeonato Paulista Segunda Divisão side Jaguariúna FC,[9] but resigned on 24 April.
[10] After working as a sports pundit on TV Cultura Litoral [pt], Couto returned to coaching duties ahead of the 2023 season, being Júnior Lopes' assistant at Audax Rio.