Dilceu Rocha Júnior (born 21 April 1981), known as Júnior Rocha, is a Brazilian footballcoach and former player who played as a forward.[1] He is the current head coach of Ferroviária.
Júnior Rocha subsequently moved to Ulbra[3] before returning to 15 de Novembro in 2007, but was announced at Luverdense in November of that year.[4] In 2009, he helped the latter to win the year's Campeonato Mato-Grossense, being the competition's top scorer with eight goals; later in that year, he also played in the Copa FMF with Sinop.[5]
Júnior Rocha began the 2011 campaign with Coruripe,[6] but subsequently returned to LEC for the remainder of the year. After being released prior to the 2011 Série C, he retired at the age of 30.[2]
Coaching career
Shortly after retiring, Júnior Rocha began his coaching career after being named coach of Chimarrão FC, a popular youth club in his native state.[2] He subsequently worked in the youth sides of Aimoré and Novo Hamburgo before returning to Luverdense on 14 January 2013, as head coach of the under-19 team.[7]
In April 2013, Júnior Rocha became an assistant of Luverdense's main squad, before being appointed interim head coach on 29 June 2013, after the departure of Roberval Davino.[8] Permanently named head coach in July,[9] and led the club to a promotion to the Série B.
On 13 October 2014, Júnior Rocha was dismissed from LEC after a 3–0 loss to Paraná.[10] The following 23 February, however, he returned to the club, replacing sacked Leandro Niehues,[11] and led them to the Mato-Grossense title.
On 14 November 2016, Júnior Rocha was announced as head coach of Novorizontino for the upcoming season.[12] Dismissed on 5 March of the following year, after just seven matches,[13] he returned to Luverdense twelve days later,[14] and won the 2017 Copa Verde with the side.
Júnior Rocha left Luverdense by mutual consent on 21 November 2017, after the club's relegation to the third division was confirmed.[15] On 7 December, he took over Santa Cruz for the ensuing campaign.[16]
On 15 April 2018, Júnior Rocha left Santa after receiving an offer from another club,[17] and was announced at the helm of CRB.[18] He was relieved from his duties at the latter on 27 June, after just 15 matches.[19]
On 2 November 2018, Júnior Rocha returned to Luverdense for his fourth spell as head coach.[20] He was sacked on 16 August, after the club's relegation to the Série D.[21]
On 25 January 2021, Júnior Rocha was appointed head coach of Ypiranga-RS in the third division.[25] After narrowly missing out promotion, he left on 19 November,[26] and took over fellow league team Figueirense four days later.[27]
Júnior Rocha left Figueira on 2 November 2022, as his contract was not renewed.[28] The following 22 March, he replaced Pintado as Inter de Limeira head coach.[29]
Júnior Rocha qualified Inter to the 2024 Campeonato Paulista quarterfinals, where they were knocked out by Red Bull Bragantino. On 2 May of that year, he left after accepting an offer from Guarani in the second level,[30] but was dismissed from the latter after just 38 days.[31]
