Júnior Rocha subsequently moved toUlbra[3] before returning to 15 de Novembro in 2007, but was announced atLuverdense in November of that year.[4] In 2009, he helped the latter to win the year'sCampeonato Mato-Grossense, being the competition's top scorer with eight goals; later in that year, he also played in theCopa FMF withSinop.[5]
Júnior Rocha began the 2011 campaign withCoruripe,[6] but subsequently returned toLEC for the remainder of the year. After being released prior to the2011 Série C, he retired at the age of 30.[2]
Shortly after retiring, Júnior Rocha began his coaching career after being named coach of Chimarrão FC, a popular youth club in his native state.[2] He subsequently worked in the youth sides of Aimoré andNovo Hamburgo before returning to Luverdense on 14 January 2013, as head coach of the under-19 team.[7]
In April 2013, Júnior Rocha became an assistant of Luverdense's main squad, before being appointed interim head coach on 29 June 2013, after the departure ofRoberval Davino.[8] Permanently named head coach in July,[9] and led the club to apromotion to theSérie B.
On 13 October 2014, Júnior Rocha was dismissed fromLEC after a 3–0 loss toParaná.[10] The following 23 February, however, he returned to the club, replacing sackedLeandro Niehues,[11] and led them to the Mato-Grossense title.
On 14 November 2016, Júnior Rocha was announced as head coach ofNovorizontino for the upcoming season.[12] Dismissed on 5 March of the following year, after just seven matches,[13] he returned to Luverdense twelve days later,[14] and won the2017 Copa Verde with the side.
Júnior Rocha left Luverdense by mutual consent on 21 November 2017, after the club'srelegation to the third division was confirmed.[15] On 7 December, he took overSanta Cruz for the ensuing campaign.[16]
On 15 April 2018, Júnior Rocha left Santa after receiving an offer from another club,[17] and was announced at the helm ofCRB.[18] He was relieved from his duties at the latter on 27 June, after just 15 matches.[19]
On 2 November 2018, Júnior Rocha returned to Luverdense for his fourth spell as head coach.[20] He was sacked on 16 August, after the club'srelegation to theSérie D.[21]
On 25 January 2021, Júnior Rocha was appointed head coach ofYpiranga-RS in the third division.[25] After narrowly missing out promotion, he left on 19 November,[26] and took over fellow league teamFigueirense four days later.[27]
Júnior Rocha leftFigueira on 2 November 2022, as his contract was not renewed.[28] The following 22 March, he replacedPintado asInter de Limeira head coach.[29]
Júnior Rocha qualified Inter to the2024 Campeonato Paulista quarterfinals, where they were knocked out byRed Bull Bragantino. On 2 May of that year, he left after accepting an offer fromGuarani in the second level,[30] but was dismissed from the latter after just 38 days.[31]
On 20 July 2024, Rocha replacedVinícius Bergantin as head coach ofFerroviária in the third division.[32] He led the club to a promotion to the second tier after a 30-year absence, but was sacked the following 16 February after a poor start of the season.[33]
