Cuca leaves Brazilian side, Atlético Mineiro, after beating Guangzhou Evergrande 3-2 and wins third place at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Cuca took over a struggling Mineiro side in 2011 and set on a task to reinvigorate the Belo Horizonte based club.
The 50 year old former player, won the 2012 Copa Libertadores with Atlético to send his team to Morocco to take part in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Before the game Cuca announced he would be leaving the club to set on a challenge with Chinese club Shandong Luneng, and striker Diego Tardelli has spoke of his admiration for his coach.
"We didn’t really speak to him about it [him leaving] in the end, because it was a moment just for us, about wanting to end the competition with dignity," reports FIFA.com.
“But all of this puts an even greater value on the year we’ve all had. That’s why the only thing to say is to thank Cuca for the excellent job he’s done over the past two years. Next year I think we’ll win the Libertadores again and come back here."
Cuca will be replaced by Paolo Autuori in the Atletico Mineiro hot seat for next season.
