Born in Santos, São Paulo, Fernandes played amateur football until his 20s, and began his career at Portuguesa Santista.
He subsequently returned to América-RN, and then played for Criciúma, Joinville,[5] Náutico,[6] Portuguesa[7] and ABC, retiring with the latter in 2003, aged 32.
[11] Fernandes left Peixe in the end of 2017, being subsequently Edson Leivinha's assistant at Corinthians' under-23 squad.
[13] In November 2020, after manager Cuca and other assistants Cuquinha and Eudes Pedro all tested positive for COVID-19, Fernandes was again interim of the main squad.
[20] Despite improving Santos' form in the first matches, Fernandes was unable to avoid the club's first-ever relegation to the Série B, after a 2–1 home loss to Fortaleza in the last round.