Now the legendary goalkeeper hopes to acheive the same effect with Sao Paulo and feels ready to guide a new generation of Brazilian talents.
“Our obligation is to always prepare the future [of the club]," said Leão to Brazilian news agency Terra. “The future is sometimes also in the present.
“They have worked with the national team, they are not boys really."
Among the youngsters at São Paulo are Lucas Moura, Casemiro and Wellington, all of which have shot to prominence or excelled this campaign.
But, beyond that, Bruno Uvini, Henrique, Rodrigo Caio, Henrique Miranda and Willian José have all received experience with the junior national sides and are considered to have bright futures ahead of them.
“They have a long way to go," said the experienced coach. “If you look at the ages of these players, you will see that they are learning and that any help is beneficial.
“We are here to help them."
The coach will take charge of his firt game for Sao Paulo on Wednesday, in the return leg of the last sixteen Copa Sudamericana tie with Libertad of Paraguay. Wellington and Lucas look set to start, Terra reports.
