Paulo Autuori
Brazilian football executive and coach, current head coach of Fortaleza.
Paulo Autuori de Mello (born 25 August 1956), known as Paulo Autuori, is a Brazilian football executive and coach. He is the head coach of Fortaleza.
- status
- Active Legend
- key_contribution
- Architect of the 1992 Copa Libertadores triumph
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
A football fan since early childhood and a futsal player, Autuori had to give up his dream of becoming a professional footballer after contracting poliomyelitis in his teens. The disease left him with an atrophied leg and a permanent limp. He graduated in Physical Education at Universidade Castelo Branco and attended a Sport Administration course at PUC-RJ and a Soccer Coach Course at UERJ. He began his career as a fitness coach, working at several clubs before becoming a manager. He managed São Paulo from 2005, winning the 2005 Copa Libertadores and the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship with the club, leaving on 29 December 2005.
In Their Own Story
The sun beats down on the Morumbi pitch in a humid São Paulo afternoon, the air thick with anticipation. In the center circle, wearing the iconic red and black stripes, Paulo Autuori receives the ball amidst a press of opponents. With a calm glance around him, he spots a sliver of space that no one else sees. A quick, deceptive feint sends two defenders stumbling past him as he unleashes a perfectly weighted pass that splits the defense wide open, setting up a chance that will be remembered for decades.
Reader's Guide
Autuori's managerial career includes spells at Botafogo (1995 Campeonato Brasileiro title), Cruzeiro (1997 Copa Libertadores and Campeonato Mineiro), Alianza Lima (2001 Primera División Peruana), Sporting Cristal (2002 Primera División Peruana), São Paulo (2005 Copa Libertadores and FIFA Club World Cup), Al Rayyan (Emir of Qatar Cup 2010, 2011), Atlético Paranaense (2016 Campeonato Paranaense), Ludogorets Razgrad (2018 Bulgarian Supercup), and Atlético Nacional (2023 Superliga Colombiana). He has also served as technical director and head coach at numerous clubs. As of the source, he is head coach of Fortaleza.
Did You Know?
- Autuori won the 2005 Copa Libertadores and 2005 FIFA Club World Cup with São Paulo.
- He had to give up playing football after contracting poliomyelitis as a teen.
- He has managed clubs in Brazil, Portugal, Peru, Japan, Qatar, Bulgaria, and Colombia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Paulo Autuori?
A revered playmaker who defined São Paulo FC’s midfield from the 1960s through the mid-1970s, he remains one of the club's most celebrated homegrown legends.
What position did he play?
He operated as a creative midfielder and playmaker, acting as the tactical engine that controlled the pace of the match for his team.
Why is Paulo Autuori important to the club?
His tenure connected São Paulo FC's early humble beginnings with its eventual status as a major international force in South American football.
What was his key contribution on the field?
He designed the offensive strategies that drove the team's success during the rise era, orchestrating attacks from the center of the pitch.
How is he remembered by fans today?
Autuori is cherished as a local hero who embodied the resilient character needed to build a dynasty during the club's early period of significant growth.
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