Goiás state champion with Vila Nova, Rafael Lacerda takes over Vitória on deal until 2027
Former Vila Nova and Atlético-GO coach has four games to steer Vitória away from relegation in Brazil's Série A.
By gnews Newsroom 3 min read
Vitória announced on Tuesday (10) Rafael Lacerda as their new head coach. The 42-year-old from Rio Grande do Sul, who led Vila Nova, a club from Goiânia (capital of Goiás state in central Brazil), to the 2025 Campeonato Goiano (Goiás state championship) title and later coached Atlético-GO (Atlético Goianiense, another Goiânia side), signed with the Salvador-based club until the end of 2027. His immediate task is to keep the team in Brazil's top-flight Série A, which has just four rounds remaining.
Lacerda takes over from Jair Ventura, who was dismissed on November 2 after a poor run in the league. He brings assistants João Antônio and Mateus Bolívar. The coach was introduced at a press conference at the Barradão, Vitória's home stadium in Salvador, Bahia, alongside president Fábio Mota and football director Sérgio Papellin.
Vitória's Situation in the Série A
Vitória sits 15th with 38 points and is winless in five games. Their last match was a 3-0 home loss to Fluminense on Friday (6). They are one point ahead of Corinthians, the first club inside the relegation zone.
Lacerda's debut will be on Thursday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m. Brasília time, against Red Bull Bragantino at the Barradão, for the 35th round. After that, Vitória faces Internacional away, Santos, and Vasco. The FIFA international break gives the new coach a few training days before the match.
During his presentation, Lacerda said he won't look for excuses for the team's situation. "I'm not going to sit here lamenting; I like to find solutions. I'm not going to make excuses," he stated, according to the club's official website. He also addressed the relationship with the fans: "We'll work to give a response to the supporters."
Stints in Goiás and at Chapecoense
Lacerda is a familiar name to soccer fans in Goiás state. He was a defender for about 15 years and had Goiás, a club from Goiânia, among the teams he played for. As a coach, he led Vila Nova to the 2025 Goiás state crown, ending the club's 20-year drought in the competition. He then took over Atlético-GO and reached the final of the 2026 Goianão (as the state championship is known), losing to Goiás.
In May 2026, he moved to Chapecoense, a club from Chapecó in Santa Catarina state, for his first Série A experience. They had 20 matches and four wins, including victories over São Paulo, Fluminense and Corinthians. The Santa Catarina side failed to avoid relegation, and the coach left the club on Monday (9) after receiving the offer from Vitória.
Before arriving in Goiás, Lacerda worked at Caxias, Aimoré, ABC, and Barra-SC, and had two stints with Amazonas, where he won the 2023 Campeonato Amazonense (Amazonas state championship) and national-level promotions.
What Lies Ahead
With four games remaining and a one-point gap to the relegation zone, every round could change Vitória's situation. The long-term contract indicates the board wants to keep the coach for the 2027 season, regardless of which division the club is in.
Meanwhile, Vila Nova, Goiás, and Atlético-GO — clubs Lacerda formerly coached — are deciding their promotion chances to the top division on the final round of the Série B, Brazil's second tier.
Sources: Site oficial do Esporte Clube Vitória, CNN Brasil, bahia.ba, Diário de Goiás
Frequently asked questions
Who is Vitória's new head coach?
It's Rafael Lacerda, 42, who left Chapecoense and has previously coached Vila Nova and Atlético-GO. His contract runs until the end of2027.
When does Rafael Lacerda make his debut for Vitória?
On November 19, at 7:30 p.m. Brasília time, against Red Bull Bragantino at the Barradão, in the 35th round of the Série A.
Has Rafael Lacerda won a title in Goiás?
Yes. He won the 2025 Goiás state championship with Vila Nova, ending the club's 20-year drought in the competition.
