Born in Almada, Setúbal District, Paixão's 11-year professional career was almost entirely spent in the Portuguese second and third divisions, representing Amora FC (two spells), C.F.
[3] In March of the following year he first reached the top flight with S.C. Braga who were in tenth place, leading the team to ninth position after winning only two of his ten league games in charge, but reaching the semi-finals of the Taça de Portugal, where they were defeated by Rio Ave FC.
[7] On 24 June 2014 he signed for Polish club Zawisza Bydgoszcz,[8] winning the Super Cup shortly after by defeating Legia Warsaw 3–2.
[9] Paixão moved back to his native country in October 2014 with S.C. Olhanense, leaving his post the following February.
[13] Subsequently, he worked in quick succession with Rayon Sports FC (Rwanda Premier League),[14] Al-Yarmouk SC (Kuwaiti Division One)[15] and Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi (Moroccan Botola 2).