Paulo César Turra (born 14 November 1973), known as Paulo Turra, is a Brazilian football coach and former player who played as a central defender. He is the current head coach of Athletico Paranaense. Playing career Born in Tuparendi, Rio Grande do Sul, Turra started playing football with local side Caxias, making his first team debut in 1991. In 1997, he moved on loan to Série A side Botafogo, but only featured rarely. Back to Caxias, Turra helped his the side to win their first-ever Campeonato Gaúcho in 2000, under the management of Tite. On 5 July of that year, he joined Palmeiras in the top tier. In July 2001, after winning the previous year's Copa dos Campeões and Copa Mercosur, Turra moved abroad and signed for Boavista in Portugal. He was runner-up of Primeira Liga once and played against young Cristiano Ronaldo, Sporting CP's player at that time; he also played for Boavista in a 2002–03 UEFA Cup semi-final against Celtic. On 24 August 2004, Turra agreed to a one-year contract with Vitória de Guimarães, also in the Portuguese top tier. In January 2006, after falling down the pecking order, he went on a trial at Scottish side Hibernian, but nothing came of it. In 2006, after his contract with Vitória expired, Turra returned to Brazil and joined Novo Hamburgo. Ahead of the 2007 season, he moved to Sertãozinho, but left the side for Avaí in March of that year. Turra retired in December 2007, aged 34. Coaching career After retiring, Turra returned to Novo Hamburgo in 2008, as an assistant coach. On 27 February 2009, after head coach Gilmar Iser left for Juventude, he was named head coach of the club. Turra was sacked on 26 October 2009, after a 4–1 loss to Brasil de Pelotas. The following January, he replaced Celso Freitas at the helm of Esportivo, but was dismissed on 8 March, with the club in an eight-match losing run. On 15 November 2010, Turra was appointed Brusque manager for the upcoming season, but was relieved from his duties the following 14 February. He then worked at Brasil de Farroupilha before being named in charge of Cianorte on 23 November 2011. Turra was sacked from Cianorte on 18 February 2013, after a poor start of the season. He then took over Paraná state side Operário Ferroviário late in the month, before being moved to Marcílio Dias