Paulo Comelli (footballer) explained

Paulo Sérgio Comelli (born 5 June 1960) is a Brazilian football coach and former player who played as a centre-back. He is the current head coach of Noroeste.

Playing career

Born in Novo Horizonte, São Paulo, Comelli began his career with Joinville in 1980. He moved to Botafogo-SP for the 1986 season, and later played for Brasília and Matsubara before retiring at the end of the 1989 season, aged 29.

Coaching career

Shortly after retiring Comelli took up coaching, being named Grêmio Maringá head coach in 1990. In 1992, he was in charge of and later, achieving a first-ever promotion to the Campeonato Paranaense with the latter (which was later replaced by Francisco Beltrão FC).^[1] He repeated the feat with Coronel Vivida in the following year,^[2] after a short stint at Jaboticabal.

Comelli would continue to coach in both São Paulo and Paraná states in the following years, being in charge of Mirassol, Batel, União Mogi (two stints)^[3] and União Bandeirante. In 1997, he was named head coach of Tuna Luso in the Série B,^[4] and led the club to the third stage of the competition.

In the 1998 campaign, Comelli coached Ponta Grossa in the Paranaense,^[5] was Gama's third coach of the season but only lasted three matches, led Taubaté to the finals of the Campeonato Paulista Série A3 (missing out promotion after losing the title to São Caetano),^[6] and ended the year at Vila Nova.

After spending the 1999 season at the helm of Londrina,^[7] Comelli coached São Bento for a short period in 2000 before joining União São João.^[8] Sacked on 4 September,^[9] he returned to São Bento in 2001, winning the year's Paulista A3.^[10] In the remainder of the year, he was also in charge of XV de Piracicaba^[11] and Sampaio Corrêa^[12] in the second division.

In 2002, Comelli became União Barbarense's third head coach during the 2002 Campeonato Paulista, and managed to avoid relegation. He was named Criciúma head coach in May of that year,^[13] but was sacked on 1 July.^[14]

Comelli subsequently returned to Sampaio, winning the 2002 Campeonato Maranhense but was later replaced by Arturzinho. He returned to Barbarense for the 2003 campaign, but resigned on 19 February to join Marília,^[15] where he was dismissed in October.

Comelli began the 2004 season in charge of Ituano,^[16] but was hired by Portuguesa on 29 March.^[17] Sacked on 12 August,^[18] he replaced Dorival Júnior at Figueirense on 21 December.^[19]

Sacked by Figueira in March 2005,^[20] Comelli led Noroeste to the finals (and promotion) of the Campeonato Paulista Série A2. He left for Ceilândia for the year's Série C, before returning to his previous club in December.^[21]

On 8 April 2007, Comelli returned to Marília,^[22] but left to join São Caetano on 3 July.^[23] Dismissed on 16 August,^[24] he returned to Marília four days later.^[25]

Comelli resigned from MAC on 18 September 2007,^[26] and replaced Nelsinho Baptista at the helm of Ponte Preta six days later. He was sacked from the latter on 20 November,^[27] and was announced as Bahia head coach on 4 December.^[28]

Sacked by Bahia on 3 June 2008,^[29] Comelli was named Paraná head coach on 7 August.^[30] He resigned from the club on 8 March 2009,^[31] and returned to Bahia on 8 July,^[32] but was again dismissed on 2 August.^[33]

After beginning the 2010 season in charge of Oeste, Comelli was dismissed on 3 February of that year, during the half-time of a match against Paulista.^[34] The following day, he was named Sertãozinho head coach,^[35] but was unable to avoid relegation from the 2010 Campeonato Paulista, and subsequently only lasted three matches in charge of Vila Nova.^[36]

On 1 December 2010, Comelli was named head coach of Remo,^[37] but was sacked the following 16 May.^[38] Named in charge of CRB on 19 September 2011,^[39] he left the club to return to Criciúma on 19 April of the following year.^[40]

Dismissed by Tigre on 3 March 2013,^[41] Comelli was appointed América Mineiro head coach nine days later,^[42] but was also sacked on 4 September.^[43] He then moved abroad for the first time in his career, joining UAE Pro League side Emirates Club in December.

After leaving Emirates in June 2016, Comelli agreed to become Dibba Al Fujairah manager on 12 December,^[44] being sacked on 26 October 2018. He later took over Khor Fakkan on 17 July, but was also dismissed on 30 October.

Comelli returned to Brazil in September 2020,^[45] and spent a period without a club before returning to the United Arab Emirates on 4 December 2023, to manage UAE Division 1 side Al Dhafra.^[46] On 8 November 2024, he was confirmed as Noroeste's head coach for the 2025 Campeonato Paulista, replacing Moisés Egert.^[47]

Honours

Player

Joinville

• Campeonato Catarinense

1981, 1982, 1983, 1984

Manager

Gama

• Campeonato Brasiliense: 1998

Londrina

• Campeonato Paranaense Série Prata: 1999

São Bento

• Campeonato Paulista Série A3

2001

Sampaio Corrêa

• Campeonato Maranhense: 2002

Figueirense

• Campeonato Catarinense: 2004

CRB

• Campeonato Alagoano: 2012

Notes and References

1. Web site: Real Beltronense e Francisco Beltrão FC, lembranças que não podem ficar apagadas. Real Beltronense and Francisco Beltrão FC, memories that cannot be erased. Jornal Folha do Sudoeste. pt-BR. 25 March 2022. 3 December 2024.
2. Web site: Ex-jogadores do Coronel Vivida Esporte Clube revivem história com réplica de camisa. Former players of Coronel Vivida Esporte Clube relive history with replica shirt. Portal Vividense. pt-BR. 6 August 2020. 3 December 2024.
3. Web site: Em Mogi das Cruzes, quem reinou com a bola nos pés foi o pai de Neymar. In Mogi das Cruzes, the one who reigned with the ball at his feet was Neymar's father. Última Divisão. pt-BR. 26 March 2015. 3 December 2024.
4. Web site: Sem investir, Tuna Luso vira sensação da segundona. Without investments, Tuna Luso become a sensation in the second level. Folha de S.Paulo. pt-BR. 14 October 1997. 3 December 2024.
5. Web site: Ponta Grossa está de volta à Divisão Especial. Ponta Grossa is back to the top tier. Folha de Londrina. pt-BR. 25 January 1998. 3 December 2024.
6. Web site: Taubaté perde e continua na Série A-3. Taubaté lose and remain in the Série A-3. Folha de S.Paulo. pt-BR. 24 August 1998. 3 December 2024.
7. Web site: LEC estréia com derrota em 99. LEC debut with a defeat in 99. Folha de Londrina. pt-BR. 8 February 1999. 3 December 2024.
8. Web site: União estréia com cinco reforços na Copa. União debut with five additions in the Cup. Folha de S.Paulo. pt-BR. 8 August 2000. 3 December 2024.
9. Web site: Heron Ferreira assume União São João. Heron Ferreira takes over União São João. Terra. pt-BR. 4 September 2000. 3 December 2024.
10. Web site: Há 19 anos, São Bento conquistava o título paulista da Série A3. 19 years ago, São Bento would win the Paulista Série A3 title. Futebol Interior. pt-BR. 30 June 2020. 3 December 2024.
11. Web site: XV goleia Botafogo-SP por 4 a 1. XV thrash Botafogo-SP 4–1. Folha de S.Paulo. pt-BR. 30 July 2001. 3 December 2024.
12. Web site: Sampaio Corrêa cheio de dúvidas para pegar Paysandu. Sampaio Corrêa full of doubts to face Paysandu. Terra. pt-BR. 3 October 2001. 3 December 2024.
13. Web site: Paulo Comelli faz mistério para definir o Criciúma. Paulo Comelli makes a mystery to define Criciúma. NSC Total. pt-BR. 31 May 2002. 3 December 2024.
14. Web site: Paulo Comelli é demitido, e Tigre acerta com Edson Gaúcho. Paulo Comelli is sacked, and Tigre sign with Edson Gaúcho. NSC Total. pt-BR. 1 July 2002. 3 December 2024.
15. Web site: Técnico pede demissão do Barbarense. Head coach resigns from Barbarense. Folha de S.Paulo. pt-BR. 19 February 2003. 3 December 2024.
16. Web site: Paulistão 2004 será desafio para técnicos. 2004 Paulistão will be a challenge for head coaches. O Estado de S. Paulo. pt-BR. 24 December 2003. 3 December 2024.
17. Web site: Comelli quer usar a Lusa como vitrine. Comelli wants to use Lusa as a showcase. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 29 March 2004. 3 December 2024.
18. Web site: Comelli deixa a Portuguesa após nova derrota. Comelli leaves Portuguesa after new defeat. Folha de S.Paulo. pt-BR. 12 August 2004. 3 December 2024.
19. Web site: Paulo Comelli é o novo técnico alvinegro. Paulo Comelli is the new white-and-black head coach. NSC Total. pt-BR. 21 December 2004. 3 December 2024.
20. Web site: Figueira e Tigre fazem duelo decisivo em Florianópolis. Figueira and Tigre make a decisive duel in Florianópolis. NSC Total. pt-BR. 19 March 2005. 3 December 2024.
21. Web site: Interior leva "conhecidos" ao Paulista-06. Countryside bring "well-known" names to the 06 Paulista. Folha de S.Paulo. pt-BR. 26 December 2005. 3 December 2024.
22. Web site: Comelli no Marília e ex-técnico do Corinthians no Noroeste. Comelli at Marília and former Corinthians head coach at Noroeste. Futebol Interior. pt-BR. 8 April 2007. 3 December 2024.
23. Web site: S.Caetano contrata o técnico Paulo Comelli. S.Caetano sign head coach Paulo Comelli. Repórter Diário. pt-BR. 3 July 2007. 3 December 2024.
24. Web site: Paulo Comelli deixa o São Caetano. Paulo Comelli leaves São Caetano. Diário do Grande ABC. pt-BR. 16 August 2007. 3 December 2024.
25. Web site: Técnico Paulo Comelli acerta retorno ao Marília. Head coach Paulo Comelli agrees return to Marília. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 20 August 2007. 3 December 2024.
26. Web site: Paulo Comelli pede demissão no Marília. Paulo Comelli resigns from Marília. NSC Total. pt-BR. 18 September 2007. 3 December 2024.
27. Web site: Ponte Preta dispensa técnico Paulo Comelli. Ponte Preta release head coach Paulo Comelli. Diário do Nordeste. pt-BR. 20 November 2007. 3 December 2024.
28. Web site: Bahia anuncia técnico Paulo Comelli. Bahia announce head coach Paulo Comelli. NSC Total. pt-BR. 4 December 2007. 3 December 2024.
29. Web site: Paulo Comelli não comanda mais o Bahia. Paulo Comelli is no longer in charge of Bahia. GloboEsporte.com. pt-BR. 3 June 2008. 3 December 2024.
30. Web site: Paraná Clube apresenta técnico Paulo Comelli nesta quinta-feira. Paraná Clube present head coach Paulo Comelli this Thursday. Gazeta do Povo. pt-BR. 7 August 2008. 3 December 2024.
31. Web site: Paulo Comelli pede demissão e deixa comando técnico do Paraná Clube. Paulo Comelli resigns and leaves the technical command of Paraná Clube. Gazeta do Povo. pt-BR. 8 March 2009. 3 December 2024.
32. Web site: Paulo Comelli é o novo treinador do Bahia. Paulo Comelli is the new head coach of Bahia. Gazeta do Povo. pt-BR. 8 July 2009. 1 June 2017.
33. Web site: Bahia demite Paulo Comelli e contrata Sérgio Guedes, ex-Santo André. Bahia sack Paulo Comelli and sign Sérgio Guedes, formerly of Santo André. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 2 August 2009. 3 December 2024.
34. Web site: Comelli é demitido no intervalo. Comelli is sacked at half-time. Agora São Paulo. pt-BR. 4 February 2010. 3 December 2024.
35. Web site: Técnico Paulo Comelli assume o Sertãozinho. Head coach Paulo Comelli takes over Sertãozinho. Extra. pt-BR. 4 February 2010. 3 December 2024.
36. Web site: Paulo Comelli pede demissão e deixa o Vila Nova. Paulo Comelli resigns and leaves Vila Nova. O Estado de S. Paulo. pt-BR. 26 July 2010. 3 December 2024.
37. Web site: Paulo Comelli inicia nova era do Leão nesta quarta. Paulo Comelli starts a new era of the Leão this Wednesday. DOL. pt-BR. 1 December 2010. 3 December 2024.
38. Web site: Givanildo deve chegar hoje para assumir o Remo. Givanildo may arrive today to take over Remo. DOL. pt-BR. 16 May 2011. 3 December 2024.
39. Web site: Paulo Comelli, ex-técnico do Remo, é o novo técnico do CRB. Paulo Comelli, former Remo head coach, is the new head coach of CRB. Alagoas 24 Horas. pt-BR. 19 September 2011. 1 June 2017.
40. Web site: Técnico Paulo Comelli deixa o CRB e acerta com o Criciúma. Head coach Paulo Comelli leaves CRB and signs with Criciúma. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 19 April 2012. 3 December 2024.
41. Web site: Após derrota, Rodrigo Pastana e Paulo Comelli estão fora do Criciúma. After defeat, Rodrigo Pastrana and Paulo Comelli are out of Criciúma. NSC Total. pt-BR. 3 March 2013. 3 December 2024.
42. Web site: Paulo Comelli é o quinto treinador do América em pouco mais de sete meses. Paulo Comelli is the fifth head coach of América in a little more than seven months. Super Esportes. pt-BR. 12 March 2013. 3 December 2024.
43. Web site: Paulo Comelli é demitido do América-MG após derrota para lanterna ABC. Paulo Comelli is dismissed from América-MG after defeat to last-placed ABC. UOL Esporte. pt-BR. 4 September 2013. 3 December 2024.
44. Web site: Paulo Comelli acerta com Dibba Al Fujairah-UAE. Paulo Comelli signs with Dibba Al Fujairah-UAE. Futebol Interior. pt-BR. 12 December 2016. 3 December 2024.
45. Web site: Após seis anos no exterior, ex-técnico de Criciúma, CRB e Ponte Preta volta ao Brasil. After six years abroad, former Criciúma, CRB and Ponte Preta head coach returns to Brazil. Futebol Interior. pt-BR. 8 September 2020. 3 December 2024.
46. Web site: الظفرة يتعاقد مع المدرب البرازيلي كاميلي خلفاً لمسفر. Al Dhafra sign Brazilian coach Comelli to replace Misfer. Al Bayan. ar. 4 December 2023.
47. Web site: Noroeste anuncia Paulo Comelli como técnico para o Paulistão. Noroeste announce Paulo Comelli as head coach for the Paulistão. ge. pt-BR. 8 November 2024. 3 December 2024.