Born in Guaporé, Rio Grande do Sul, Renato started his career in Esportivo in Bento Gonçalves where he grew up. He was later signed with Grêmio, where in 1983 he won the Copa Libertadores, beating Peñarol of Uruguay, and the Intercontinental Cup, beating Hamburger SV of Germany, and scoring twice. In 1987, he moved to Flamengo and won the Green Module of Brasileirão Série A in the same year. Then in 1988 Renato moved abroad, signing with Roma. However, he failed to settle in Italy and returned to Flamengo after only one disappointing season, in time to win one more trophy, the Copa do Brasil in 1990. Renato's career in Fluminense is generally associated to his belly goal in the Campeonato Carioca of 1995, against Flamengo, in the year when Flamengo celebrated 100 years. With his goal he was crowned the King of Rio in that year. In the same year, he led Fluminense to the semi-finals of the Brasileirão Série A.
International
Renato appeared 41 times for the Brazilian national team, scoring five goals. In 1986, while preparing for the FIFA World Cup Finals in Mexico, Renato was dropped from the squad by coach Telê Santana for disciplinary reasons, primarily partying late and missing training. As a result, his teammate and close friend Leandro also withdrew from the squad on the eve of Brazil's departure for Mexico. Leandro's replacement at right-back was Edson, who was injured in the second World Cup match and was then replaced by the relatively unknown Josimar of Botafogo, who became one of the stars of the tournament.
Managerial career
Early years
He has been working as a coach since 2000. He was Madureira's coach in 2000 and 2001. Between September 2, 2002 and July 11, 2003, and between October 1, 2003 and December 28, 2003, he was coach of Fluminense. From July 2005 to April 2007 he was Vasco da Gama's coach.
Fluminense
In April 2007, he returned to Fluminense as a manager. On 6 June 2007 he won the Brazilian Cup with Fluminense, his first trophy as a manager. However, he failed to win the Copa Libertadores as Fluminense were defeated in a penalty shootout to underdogs LDU from Ecuador in the final. On 10 August 2008 Renato was sacked as manager of Fluminense Football Club. His sacking followed a 2–1 defeat to the Brasileirão's bottom side, Ipatinga which left them joint-bottom of the table. On 18 September 2008, he was hired as Vasco's manager. Fluminense reappointed Renato Gaúcho on 21 July 2009 to replace Carlos Alberto Parreira, who was sacked in July 2009. Renato returned for a third stint, having already coached Fluminense twice before. On 1 September 2009 Fluminense dismissed him following a series of poor results. Being the first choice of the sponsor, who intervened with the presidency, Renato was chosen again as coach of Fluminense, for a fifth spell at the club from Laranjeiras.
Bahia
chairman Marcelo Guimarães has hired on December 13, 2009 the former Fluminense coach to replace Paulo Bonamigo, for the 2010 season.
Grêmio
On August 10, 2010 Grêmio confirmed Renato was their new coach, two days after the sacking of their former coach Silas. He tried to start a good season, but in his debut the team lost to Goiás and was eliminated from the 2010 Copa Sudamericana on the Second Stage. In the 2010 Brazilian League Grêmio ended in 4th place and consequently qualified to 2011 Copa Libertadores. Afterward, Renato did not do a great season in 2011. His team lost the 2011 Campeonato Gaúcho finals to their rival Internacional and was the runner-up. Grêmio was also eliminated from the 2011 Copa Libertadores on the Round of 16, losing to Chilean club Universidad Católica. All of that disappointed himself and Grêmio's President Paulo Odone. He coached some matches of the 2011 Brazilian League, however their performance wasn't good, and Renato resigned on June 30. Even after being two years without coaching any club, Renato was the first choice of Fábio Koff, president of Grêmio, to succeed Vanderlei Luxemburgo as the new coach of Grêmio. On July 2, 2013 the coach signed with the club and was presented to more than 5,000 supporters in Grêmio Arena. On September 18, 2016 his third passage as commander of the Tricolor Gaúcho was announced, replacing Roger Machado. In the same year, he led the Porto Alegre-based team to their fifth Copa do Brasil trophy. The following year, Renato became the first Brazilian to win the Copa Libertadores as a player and as a manager, with Grêmio beating Buenos Aires side Lanús in the final. In the 2018 season, he helped his team to win the Recopa Sudamericana over Independiente and the Campeonato Gaúcho over Brasil de Pelotas, their first win since 2010.
