Born in Rio de Janeiro, Souza was known as Maurício during his playing days, and was an America-RJ youth graduate.
[1] Souza's first managerial role back in football occurred in 2010, after Botafogo established a partnership with his futsal side Casa d'España; he was appointed in charge of the youth teams.
[5] Souza was named interim head coach of Fla on 9 November 2020, after the dismissal of Domènec Torrent,[6] but his spell only lasted one day as the club signed Rogério Ceni.
He was also an interim when Ceni was sacked in July 2021, and was named at the same role until the end of the season on 29 November 2021, after Renato Gaúcho was dismissed.
[10] On 2 May 2023, Souza moved abroad for the first time in his career, after being appointed in charge of Indonesian Liga 1 side Madura United.