Rafael Paiva

Cledson Rafael de Paiva (born 26 August 1984) is a Brazilian football coach, currently the head coach of Atlético Mineiro's under-17 team.

Career Born in Cambuí, Minas Gerais, Paiva began his career as a fitness coach at Guarani before becoming an under-15 coach at Mogi Mirim in 2013. He subsequently worked under the same role at Desportivo Brasil and São Paulo, before being named in charge of the latter's under-17 team in March 2018.

On 2 November 2021, after a period in China, Paiva was named under-17 coach of Vasco da Gama. He left the club on 11 January of the following year, and was announced at Palmeiras the following day, as an under-15 coach.

In March 2022, Paiva was promoted to Palmeiras' under-17 side, and led the side to two consecutive Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-17 and Copa do Brasil Sub-17 titles. On 23 January 2024, he returned to Vasco after being named in charge of the under-20 squad.

On 27 April 2024, Paiva was named interim head coach of Vasco, after the departure of Ramón Díaz. He led the club in four matches (which included a qualification in the 2024 Copa do Brasil) before returning to his previous role after the appointment of Álvaro Pacheco on 21 May; on 20 June, however, he returned to an interim role, after Pacheco was sacked.

On 24 November 2024, Paiva was sacked from Vasco during a press conference by club president Pedrinho. In May 2025, he moved to Mexico and worked as an assistant to compatriot André Jardine, before returning to his home country on 2 February 2026 after being named head coach of the under-17 team of Atlético Mineiro.

Managerial statistics

+ Managerial record by team and tenure Team Nat From ToRecordVasco da Gama (interim)30 April 202420 May 2024Vasco da Gama (interim)21 June 202424 November 2024 Career total

Honours São Paulo U17 2019

Palmeiras U17 Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-17: 2022, 2023 2022 Copa do Brasil Sub-17: 2022, 2023