Through one of Tinoco's college contacts, he received an invitation to become the Cayman Islands national football team's head coach in 2003.
[2] Accepting the offer, the Brazilian faced obstruction in selecting players due to the small population and the lack of enthusiasm for football.
Next, Tinoco continued his managing career and assumed the role of head coach of the TT Pro League's United Petrotrin F.C.
in 2009;his aim was to take charge of the senior squad, to expedite a developmental program,[4] and to gain entry into the 2009 CFU Club Championship.
[6] The team also went on a two-week preseason camp in Colombia, where they played four friendlies – winning one, tying one, and losing the other two under Tinoco.