Lira was a footballer before going into coaching. He has played for Fluminense and Sport Club do Recife. Due to a consistent injury he retired from playing and went into coaching.[8]
Rafael Everton started his coaching career as an intern at the São Paulo FC in São Paulo, Brazil. He was subsequently the head coach of West Ham Inglaterra. In 2015, he coached Fluminense SC where he helped his team to second place in the Catarinense Serie B.[8]
In 2016, he moved to Nigeria and signed his first Nigerian deal with Nigerian Professional Football League team Ifeanyi Ubah F.C. In November 2016, he coached Ifeanyi Ubah F.C to win the first federation cup title in Nigeria. He is the first youngest club manager to win a Federation cup in Nigeria at the age of 27.[9] Immediately after winning the FA cup for Ifeanyi Ubah F.C. in November 2016, he quit the NPFL team after he was offered a "lesser role" in management.[10] He was offered the role of assistant coach which he rejected and former Accra Hearts of Oak manager Kenichi Yatsuhashi was appointed to replace him.[11][12]
On 6 January 2017, Kenichi Yatsuhashi quit Ifeanyi Ubah F.C. and Lira was re-appointed manager of the NPFL team.[13][14] Barely two months after he was re-appointed head coach, Lira offered his resignation again to the team stating that "Instructions on players selection is forced on the coach and this for me isn't professional. I resigned because I don't like this at all. The current style at IfeanyiUbah is unprofessional."[15] On 12 October 2017, he was hired by Abia Warriors F.C. to replace Abdullahi Biffo.[16][17][18][19]
On 5 November 2018, he was officially unveiled as the manager of Akwa United F.C.[20][21][22]
On 4 July 2019, Everton announced on his official social media page that his contract has been terminated by Akwa United F.C. barely one month after he was suspended. According to media reports, Everton was told to withdraw during the Super 6 playoffs few hours before the match against Enyimba.[23] Everton accused the chairman of Akwa United Paul Bassey for interfering with his duties as coach, saying that the chairman on several occasions chose players for matches. Rafael Everton had earlier planned to resign but was persuaded by players to stay.[24]
