Muricy Ramalho began his professional football career as a midfielder with São Paulo FC during the 1970s. Over five seasons with the club, he played 177 matches and scored 26 goals. He retired from professional football in 1978 and soon transitioned into coaching.

His coaching career began abroad when he took charge of Mexican side Puebla. In 1994, he returned to São Paulo as head coach of the youth squad. Two years later, he was promoted to manage the first team and led them to the Campeonato Paulista title in 1998—not the national championship title, as often mistakenly attributed to that year.

Stints with Internacional, Palmeiras, and Fluminense

After spells with various clubs, including a successful period at Internacional, Ramalho returned to São Paulo FC in 2006. Under his leadership, the team dominated the national league, winning the Série A title three years in a row. However, in 2009, he was dismissed following a series of unsuccessful campaigns in international tournaments.

Later that year, he joined Palmeiras but left the club in 2010 after a challenging defeat. That same year, he moved to Fluminense, where he eventually guided the team to a stunning Série A title in 2010. The transition initially faced complications due to a recommendation for another coach, Mano Menezes, by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), but Ramalho ultimately assumed leadership and found success with the club.

Neymar’s Transfer and Later Career Moves

In 2011, Ramalho took on the role of manager at Santos FC, leading the team during the early stages of Neymar’s rise. Contrary to claims that he was dismissed due to Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona in 2013, his departure was based on differing managerial directions and health concerns. That same year, he returned briefly to São Paulo before stepping back due to digestive health issues in 2015.

In 2016, Ramalho joined Flamengo in a managerial capacity. Although involved with the club, his exact role has evolved over time due to ongoing health challenges. As of now, his future career intentions remain uncertain, and he has yet to disclose any specific goals or milestones. Similarly, limited information is available regarding his educational background or early football development before joining São Paulo as a player.