Dorival Júnior

Known only as Júnior during his playing days, he was born in Araraquara, São Paulo, and made his debuts as a senior with hometown's Ferroviária in 1982. Two years later, after a brief stint at Marília (club he also represented in the youth setup), he moved to Guarani. In 1985, Júnior began playing in the state of Santa Catarina, first for Avaí and later for Joinville. In 1988, he went back to his native state, representing São José, but during the same year he moved to Coritiba. In 1989 Júnior joined Palmeiras, remaining with the club until 1992. In the following year he was sold to Grêmio, and subsequently joined Juventude in 1994. Júnior had subsequent spells at Araçatuba, Matonense and Botafogo-SP, retiring with the latter.

Early career

After retiring, Júnior immediately started working as an assistant of Luiz Carlos Ferreira at Matonense in 1999. He followed Ferreirão to the likes of Inter de Limeira, Atlético Sorocaba, Guarani, Paulista and Santo André, always as his assistant.

Ferroviária

In April 2002, while an assistant coach at Figueirense, Júnior was named head coach of his first club Ferroviária. He left in May of that year to return to Figueirense, as a director of football.

Figueirense

In September 2003, Júnior was named head coach of Figueira in the place of Ferreira. He won the 2004 Campeonato Catarinense with the side, but was sacked on 20 December of that year.

Fortaleza

Three days after leaving Figueirense, Júnior was appointed Fortaleza head coach, replacing Zetti. He was dismissed on 30 March, after a 2–2 draw against rivals Ceará.

Criciúma and Juventude

In May 2005, Júnior took over Criciúma, but left the club on 8 July after accepting an offer from Juventude. He was dismissed from the latter on 29 July, after just four matches.

Sport Recife

On 8 November 2005, Júnior agreed to become Sport Recife's head coach for the upcoming season. He won the 2006 Campeonato Pernambucano, but was relieved from his duties on 15 August, being subsequently replaced by Givanildo Oliveira.

Avaí and São Caetano

On 6 September 2006, Júnior was appointed Avaí head coach. He left the club on 17 October to take over São Caetano, but…

Júnior is the nephew of the former Brazilian player Dudu. His son, Lucas Silvestre, is also his assistant since 2010. In September 2019, Júnior was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which he had removed in the following month.

Player

Joinville

Campeonato Catarinense: 1987 Grêmio

Campeonato Gaúcho: 1993 Juventude

Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 1994

Coach

Figueirense

Campeonato Catarinense: 2004 Sport Recife

Campeonato Pernambucano: 2006 Coritiba

Campeonato Paranaense: 2008 Vasco da Gama

Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2009 Santos

Copa do Brasil: 2010 Campeonato Paulista: 2010, 2016 Internacional

Recopa Sudamericana: 2011 Campeonato Gaúcho: 2012 Athletico Paranaense

Campeonato Paranaense: 2020 Flamengo

Copa do Brasil: 2022 Copa Libertadores: 2022 São Paulo

Copa do Brasil: 2023 Corinthians

Copa do Brasil: 2025 Supercopa do Brasil: 2026