In 2007, Neném entered international management after accepting an offer to coach Japan at that year's Mundialito tournament which included a 4–0 loss against his native Brazil, an experience he described as "difficult" and "weird"; he was given a contract until the end of the year. During this time he also oversaw the team at the 2007 World Cup. Meanwhile, he continued to play club beach soccer, including in Japan, but failed to be recalled to the national team. In 2008, however, after three years an absentee, he did return to the Brazilian squad for a special testimonial match marking the retirement of his long-time teammate, Júnior Negão, in which he took the opportunity to add another goal to his record tally.