Born in Rio de Janeiro, Barroca started his career at Flamengo in 2000, working as a fitness coach of the under-13 squad.
In January 2011, after a short stint as Corinthians' under-17 head coach, Barroca joined Bahia, working as Rogério Lourenço's assistant.
[2] On 9 February 2011, he was the club's interim coach during a 2–0 Campeonato Baiano defeat of Camaçari, as Lourenço was sacked.
[3] Barroca acted as an interim for Bahia in a further eight occasions, being also the youngest head coach to win a Série A match after defeating Flamengo on 4 September 2011, aged only 29.
[3] On 18 May 2013, he left the club,[4] and subsequently returned to Sendas (now named Audax Rio) to work as an assistant coach of the under-20s.
[9] On 14 April 2019, Barroca was announced as head coach of Botafogo, replacing fired Zé Ricardo.