Born in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Coutinho joined hometown's Figueirense in 2000, as a fitness coach, after a brief spell at Guarani de Palhoça.
After nine years at the club – which included being manager for one match as an interim in 2007 – he moved to Náutico.
In July 2012, after another fitness coach experiences at Chapecoense, Marcílio Dias and Hercílio Luz, Coutinho was appointed manager of his previous club Guarani.
[1] He achieved promotion with the club in the state league, as champions, but was still sacked on 25 February of the following year.
[4] On 21 September 2015 Coutinho was permanently appointed as manager of Figueira, after a request from the squad.