1. Early Life and Playing Career
Pita's early life saw him develop into a notable football talent, leading to a distinguished professional career across multiple countries and top-tier clubs.
1.1. Early Life and Background
Edvaldo Oliveira Chaves was born on August 4, 1958, in Nilópolis, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. He became widely known by his nickname, Pita. During his playing career, he stood at 5.6 ft (1.72 m) tall and weighed 150 lb (68 kg).
1.2. Club Playing Career
Pita's extensive club career began in Brazil. He played for Santos FC from 1977 to 1984, where he notably won the Campeonato Paulista in 1978. Following his successful stint at Santos, he moved to São Paulo FC, playing there from 1985 to 1988. At São Paulo, he achieved significant success, winning two more Campeonato Paulista titles in 1985 and 1987, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 1986.
In 1988, Pita ventured abroad, joining French club RC Strasbourg where he played until 1989. After his time in France, he returned to Brazil to play for Guarani FC from 1989 to 1990. His career then took him to Japan, where he played for Fujita Industries (now known as Shonan Bellmare) from 1991 to 1992, and later for Nagoya Grampus Eight in 1993. During his time in Japan, he made 8 appearances and scored 2 goals in the J1 League. He concluded his playing career in 1994 with Inter de Limeira.
1.3. National Team Career
Pita represented the Brazil national football team from 1980 to 1987. During this period, he earned 7 international caps, although he did not score any goals for the national team. A significant achievement with the national squad was winning the gold medal at the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis.
2. Managerial Career
After retiring as a player, Pita transitioned into a coaching and managerial career, taking on various roles with Brazilian and Japanese clubs.
Pita began his coaching career in 1996, serving as the youth team coach for São Paulo FC until 1998. In 1999, he briefly managed the senior team of São Paulo FC as a caretaker. The following year, in 2000, he managed Santos FC. In 2001, Pita moved to Japan to become a coach for Kawasaki Frontale from February to July. In August 2001, he joined Urawa Red Diamonds as a coach. Later that year, following the resignation of then-manager Tita, Pita was promoted to head coach. Although the team's performance improved, they were still involved in a struggle for J1 League survival, which they ultimately achieved thanks in part to the contributions of Emerson, a player who admired and followed Pita from São Paulo. Pita resigned from his position at the end of the 2001 season and returned to Brazil, ending his coaching relationship with Emerson. He currently serves as the General Manager for Desportivo Brasil.
3. Honors and Achievements
Pita accumulated several honors and achievements throughout his career, both as a player and as a manager.
3.1. As a Player
- Campeonato Paulista
- 1978 (with Santos FC)
- 1985, 1987 (with São Paulo FC)
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
- 1986 (with São Paulo FC)
- Pan American Games
- Gold Medal: 1987 (with Brazil)
Individual
- Bola de Prata: 1982, 1983, 1986
3.2. As a Manager
- Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior
- 2000 (with São Paulo FC)
4. Career Statistics
The following tables provide an overview of Pita's playing and managerial career statistics.
4.1. Club Statistics
Pita's career statistics reflect his extensive play in Brazil, France, and Japan. The English source indicates 243 total appearances with 49 goals, while the Japanese source states 276 total appearances with 57 goals.
| Club performance | League | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
| Brazil | League | |||
| 1977 | Santos | Série A | 3 | 1 |
| 1978 | 13 | 3 | ||
| 1979 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1980 | Série A | 18 | 1 | |
| 1981 | 4 | 1 | ||
| 1982 | 15 | 3 | ||
| 1983 | 24 | 4 | ||
| 1984 | 17 | 3 | ||
| 1985 | São Paulo | Série A | 20 | 4 |
| 1986 | 30 | 5 | ||
| 1987 | 14 | 2 | ||
| 1988 | 0 | 0 | ||
| France | League | |||
| 1988/89 | Strasbourg | Division 1 | 20 | 6 |
| Brazil | League | |||
| 1989 | Guarani | Série A | 15 | 0 |
| 1990 | Série B | 0 | 0 | |
| Japan | League | |||
| 1991/92 | Fujita Industries | JSL Division 2 | 27 | 12 |
| 1992 | Football League | 15 | 4 | |
| 1993 | Nagoya Grampus Eight | J1 League | 8 | 2 |
| Country | Brazil | 173 | 27 | |
| France | 20 | 6 | ||
| Japan | 50 | 16 | ||
| Total | 243 | 49 | ||
4.2. National Team Statistics
Pita's appearances for the Brazil national team were spread across several years in the 1980s.
| Brazil national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1980 | 2 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | 2 | 0 |
| 1984 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 7 | 0 |
4.3. Managerial Statistics
Pita's managerial record includes stints with São Paulo FC and Urawa Red Diamonds.
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | |||
| São Paulo | 1999 | 1999 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Urawa Reds | 2001 | 2001 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 25.00 |
| Total | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 28.57 | ||
(For Urawa Reds in 2001, Pita managed the team from the 4th matchday of the 2nd stage, and they finished 12th in the J1 League that season.)