Fabiano Soares Pessoa, known simply as Fabiano, is a Brazilian former footballer who played as an attacking midfielder, and is a manager. His professional career was mostly associated with Compostela, as both a player and manager. During 11 seasons, he played 361 competitive matches for the club and scored 46 goals. In 2006, Fabiano started working as a coach.
In 1992, after two additional campaigns in Segunda División, Fabiano signed with neighbouring SD Compostela also in that level. He helped to a first-ever promotion for the Galicians in 1994 and, over the course of the following four seasons, was a midfield mainstay, notably netting in consecutive home draws against Real Madrid and contributing with one goal in a 6–2 away routing of Deportivo de La Coruña for the local derby in May 1998. At the end of 2002–03, Compos was relegated to Segunda División B for financial irregularities. Fabiano subsequently left and joined another team in that region, Racing de Ferrol, retiring at the end of the season at the age of 38.
Coaching career
Fabiano started working as a coach in 2006, with former club Compostela in the regional leagues. From 2008 to 2011 he was in charge of amateurs Bergantiños FC, Compostela again – taking the reins of the team at the end of the ninth round, he eventually failed to prevent relegation from division three, as dead last– and CD Estradense. In summer 2011, Fabiano was appointed assistant coach at G.D. Estoril Praia from Portugal, going on to work under several managers including compatriot Vinícius Eutrópio and Marco Silva. In March 2015, following José Couceiro's departure, both he and former club player Hugo Leal took the reins until the end of the season, eventually leading the team to the 12th position in the Primeira Liga; in July, he was appointed the sole head coach. On 11 December 2016, after only 15 points in 13 matches during the campaign, Fabiano was relieved of his duties. The following 11 July, he returned to his home country after being named Clube Atlético Paranaense manager; he was sacked on 4 December, with his side having finished in 11th position. In January 2019, Fabiano was hired at K League 2 title favourites Jeonnam Dragons. He was dismissed in July, with the team third from bottom.
