Rafael dos Santos Lacerda

Rafael dos Santos Lacerda (; born 12 June 1984) is a Brazilian football coach and former player who played as a centre-back. He is the current head coach of Chapecoense.

Playing career

Born in São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul, Lacerda began his career with local Ulbra, and continued to appear in his native state until 2008, representing Brasil de Farroupilha and Sapucaiense. After a brief period in Paraná, playing for Toledo CW, he returned to Sapucaiense, and signed with Caxias shortly after.

In August 2009 Lacerda signed with Joinville. In June of the following year, he finally left his native region and signed with Luverdense.

After loan stints to ASA (where he failed to make a single appearance) and Red Bull Brasil, Lacerda returned to Caxias in December 2011.

On 15 May 2012 Lacerda signed with Série B side Goiás. He made his professional debut on 7 July, starting in a 3–3 away draw against Bragantino, and contributed with six appearances (five starts) as his side achieved promotion as champions.

On 6 September 2013, after just one match for Goiás during the year, Lacerda signed with Portuguesa. After only one unused substitute appearance, he was presented at Paysandu on 4 February 2014.

After a spell at Aimoré, Lacerda returned to Caxias for his third spell in July 2015. After leaving the latter at the end of the 2016 season, he moved to São Paulo-RS.

On 28 July 2017, Hong Kong Premier League club Yuen Long announced on Facebook that they had signed Lacerda. However, he left the club the following month, and signed for São Luiz.

On 1 February 2018, Concórdia confirmed the signing of Lacerda. He then played in the year's Copa FGF for Aimoré before retiring at the age of 34.

Coaching career Shortly after retiring, Lacerda returned to his first club Caxias as an assistant coach, before being named head coach of the side on 30 July 2019. He left the post on 9 May 2021, after the club's elimination from the Campeonato Gaúcho.

On 27 July 2021, Lacerda was appointed head coach of another club he represented as a player, Aimoré. He left the club by mutual consent the following 14 March, and took over Amazonas twelve days later.

Lacerda led Amazonas to a first-ever promotion to the Série C, and won the 2023 Campeonato Amazonense with the club, their first title in the top tier. On 11 September 2023, after losing the first two matches of the 2023 Série C second stage, he was dismissed.

On 25 November 2023, Lacerda was confirmed as head coach of ABC for the upcoming season. He left the club by mutual consent the following 10 March, and was announced at the helm of Barra-SC on 2 April 2024.

On 24 May 2024, Lacerda left Barra after paying for his release clause by himself, and was announced back at Amazonas just hours later. On 19 November, after avoiding relegation, he left by mutual consent, and took over fellow second division side Vila Nova seven days later.

Despite winning the 2025 Campeonato Goiano, Lacerda was sacked by Vila on 11 June 2025. On 19 July, he moved to rivals Atlético Goianiense.

On 7 March 2026, after losing the first leg of the 2026 Campeonato Goiano finals, Lacerda was sacked. On 30 May, he was named in charge of Chapecoense in the Série A.

Managerial statistics

Honours Player Ulbra Campeonato Gaúcho Segunda Divisão: 2003

Sapucaiense Campeonato Gaúcho Segunda Divisão: 2007

Joinville Copa Santa Catarina: 2009

Goiás Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2012

Coach Amazonas Campeonato Amazonense: 2023

Vila Nova Campeonato Goiano: 2025