[2] Marco Paulo was regularly used in his four-season spell at the Estádio do Restelo,[3] inclusively serving as team captain.
After 21 league appearances in his debut campaign, veteran Marco Paulo was sparingly used the following two, with Estrela also being relegated in 2009 due to financial irregularities.
Marco Paulo was appointed director of football at his former side Belenenses in early April 2010.
[7] On 17 February 2012, with the side ranking 11th in division two, he replaced José Mota as head coach,[8] eventually leading them to fifth position.
[9] With the club again in the top flight, Marco Paulo replaced Mitchell van der Gaag after the latter stepped down early in the season due to health problems.