Fernandes subsequently worked for Surubim and Unibol before moving to the São Paulo state, where he led Primavera to the Campeonato Paulista Série B2 title in 2001.

He began the 2002 season with Independente de Limeira,[1] later working with Linense (where he was stabbed by a player whom he released)[2] and Londrina's under-20 squad; he was appointed manager of the first team in the latter club for the ensuing campaign on 14 November 2002.

[4] On 23 December 2004, Fernandes left União São João without managing a single match for the club, after accepting an offer from Ceará.

[11] He resigned from Náutico on 20 May 2008, despite leading the Série A at the time,[12] and was named at the helm of Atlético Paranaense just hours later, replacing Ney Franco;[13] he was himself dismissed by Furacão on 4 August.

[32][33] Fernandes returned to Náutico for a fourth spell on 1 August 2017,[34] after previously working at Bangu[35] and Confiança in the campaign.