Maurício Souza (footballer)

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Born in Rio de Janeiro, Souza was an America-RJ youth graduate. After three years in the main squad, he switched to futsal and played the remainder of his career in the sport.^[1]

Souza's first managerial role back in football occurred in 2010, after Botafogo established a partnership with his futsal side Casa d'España; he was appointed in charge of the youth teams.^[1] In 2014, already in charge of the under-20s, he became Eduardo Hungaro's assistant in the main squad.^[2]

On 25 February 2016, Souza was dismissed at Bota.^[3] Shortly after he joined Flamengo; initially a coordinator of the futsal squad of the club, he took over the under-17 side in 2017.

Promoted to the under-20 squad in the end of 2017, Souza was also an assistant coach of Maurício Barbieri and Dorival Júnior in the main squad during the 2018 campaign; he was also an interim head coach during two Copa Libertadores matches, as Barbieri was suspended.^[4] He was also in charge of the main squad for the four first matches of the 2020 Campeonato Carioca, as head coach Jorge Jesus and the entire first-team squad was given an extended holiday period.^[5]

Souza was named interim head coach of Fla on 9 November 2020, after the dismissal of Domènec Torrent,^[6] but his spell only lasted one day as the club signed Rogério Ceni. He was also an interim when Ceni was sacked in July 2021, and was named at the same role until the end of the season on 29 November 2021, after Renato Gaúcho was dismissed.

Souza was fired by Flamengo on 10 January 2022,^[7] and moved to Athletico Paranaense roughly one month later, also as an assistant coach.^[8] He left the latter club after the departure of Alberto Valentim in April.

On 13 June 2022, Souza was named head coach of Série B side Vasco da Gama.^[9] He was sacked on 24 July, after just eight matches.^[10]

On 2 May 2023, Souza moved abroad for the first time in his career, after being appointed in charge of Indonesian Liga 1 side Madura United.^[11] He left on 10 May 2024 after the season ended,^[12] and joined Red Bull Bragantino eight days later, as head coach of the under-23 team.^[13]

Souza won the 2024 Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-23 with Bragantino, before leaving on 4 December of that year.^[14] Just hours later, he agreed to become Guarani's head coach for the upcoming season.^[15]

Souza was sacked from Guarani on 22 April 2025, after a poor start in the year's Série C.^[16]

On 27 May 2025, Souza was announced as Persija Jakarta new head coach, thus returning to Indonesia.^[17] On 26 May 2026, Souza left Persija, as his contract was not renewed.^[18]

As of 31 May 2026

Flamengo U20

• Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior: 2018

Red Bull Bragantino U23

• Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-23: 2024

Individual

• Liga 1/Super League Coach of the Month: August 2023, August 2025,^[19] November 2025^[20]