Early career Born in
Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Nunes was a youth player at hometown side
Riograndense; initially a
midfielder, he switched to
central defender before ending his playing career due to a
knee injury. He then began his career as a fitness coach in the early 2003, and worked at hometown side
Inter de Santa Maria, Clube Atlético Camponovense,
São Luiz-RS (two spells),
Santo Ângelo,
Pelotas,
Bacabal,
Luverdense (two spells) and
Novo Horizonte. Nunes' first managerial experience came in 2010, with
Rio Branco-AC, where he won the year's
Campeonato Acreano. In June, he became the assistant of
Tarcísio Pugliese in the
Série C. On 7 November 2010, Nunes was appointed Luverdense manager in the place of departing
Lisca, but was sacked after only three matches. He was subsequently in charge of
Sapucaiense,
Riograndense,
Bagé and
União Frederiquense before being named
Grêmio's under-15 manager in 2013. After working for
Juventude,
Brasília and
Ferroviária's under-20 sides, Nunes was announced as
São Paulo-RS manager on 3 May 2016. On 17 October, he was named at the helm of
Veranópolis for the following campaign.
Atlético Paranaense On 21 April 2017, Nunes joined
Atlético Paranaense as manager of the under-19 squad. The following 4 January he was appointed manager of the under-23s, and won the year's
Campeonato Paranaense. On 27 June 2018, he was named first-team interim manager in the place of
Fernando Diniz. Still an interim, Nunes led the club to an impressive run in the league, finishing seventh (two points shy of a
Copa Libertadores qualification spot) and winning the
2018 Copa Sudamericana. On 11 January 2019, he signed a new one-year contract with the club, being definitely appointed as manager.
Corinthians On 5 November 2019, Nunes was dismissed after accepting an offer from
Corinthians. He was sacked on 11 September 2020 due to poor form and bad results.
Grêmio On 21 April 2021, Nunes returned to Grêmio, being appointed first team manager in the place of longtime incumbent
Renato Gaúcho. He was dismissed on 4 July, after seven winless league matches.
Ceará Nunes took over fellow Brazilian top-tier side
Ceará on 30 August 2021. On 25 March 2022, after two eliminations in the
Cearense and the
Copa do Nordeste, he was sacked.
Sporting Cristal On 17 November 2022, Nunes was named manager of Peruvian club
Sporting Cristal for the upcoming season. On 11 November 2023, after missing out a place in the finals, he left amidst rumours to take over
Botafogo.
Botafogo On 16 November 2023, Nunes was named head coach of
Botafogo on a contract until 2025. He was sacked the following 22 February, after a 1–1 draw against Bolivian club
Aurora.
Universidad Católica On 22 March 2024, Nunes was announced as manager of
Chilean Primera División side
Universidad Católica. He was sacked the following 25 May, with the club in the eighth place.
LDU Quito On 6 June 2025, Nunes switched teams and countries again, after being presented as manager of
LDU Quito in Ecuador. ==Managerial statistics==