[1] Born in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, Mauro Fernandes started his career with Corinthians in 1970.

After representing other clubs in the São Paulo state, he moved to Mexico and Greece before returning and finishing his playing career with CSA, Treze and Campinense.

In 1986 he moved to Série A club Botafogo-PB, winning two Campeonato Paraibano titles during his tenure.

On 3 December 2014, however, he stepped down from retirement to take over Caldas Novas Atlético Clube,[25] but his reign only lasted three months.

[26] On 21 February 2017, after nearly two years without a club, Mauro Fernandes was named manager of Treze.