[2] Cavalcanti began his career after an invitation from Muricy Ramalho, at that time Náutico first-team trainer, and subsequently joined the youth team's staff.

[2] In 2006, after a year as Sport's assistant, he was appointed head coach of Ulbra Ji-Paraná, and went on to win two consecutive Campeonato Rondoniense titles with the club.

He subsequently joined Santa Cruz; initially an assistant to Lori Sandri, he became first-team coach after the latter's dismissal in early 2010.

[12] On 13 December, he was appointed head coach of state rivals Coritiba for the 2014 campaign,[13] but was sacked the following 31 March after being knocked out of the Campeonato Paranaense.

On 2 December 2014, Cavalcanti was announced as the new head coach of fellow second division side Ceará,[18] being fired the following 12 February with only nine games in charge.

[28] Cavalcanti was sacked from Paraná on 2 April 2019, and was subsequently named head coach of Bahia's under-23 squad late in the month.

[40] He was unable to avoid relegation with the club, but still took part of Fernando Diniz's coaching staff in the Brazil football team, as an assistant.