Born in Olinda, Pernambuco, Givanildo represented Santa Cruz as a youth and made his first team debut in 1969. A part of the club's five consecutive Campeonato Pernambucano titles, he also became team captain in the process. In 1976 Givanildo moved to Corinthians, but was sparingly used and subsequently returned to Santa in the following year. In 1980, after a short stint at Fluminense, he joined state rivals Sport, eventually retiring with the club in 1983 at nearly 35 years of age.
International
Givanildo represented Brazil on 13 occasions, with his debut occurring on 31 May 1976 in a 4–1 routing of Italy for the 1976 U.S.A. Bicentennial Cup Tournament.
Managerial career
Givanildo's first managerial job came on 1983 at Sport, immediately after retiring. His first accolade as a manager occurred in 1986, as he won the Campeonato Alagoano with CRB. In 1987, while in charge of Paysandu, Givanildo won the year's Campeonato Paraense, and subsequently returned to his first club Santa Cruz in 1989. He left the club in the following year, and was subsequently in charge of CSA, Paysandu, Sport, Central, Ponte Preta, Remo, Bragantino, CRB, Náutico, Guarani, Bahia and América Mineiro; with the latter he achieved promotion to the Série A in 1997. In 1998, Givanildo rejoined Santa after leaving América, and went back to Paysandu in April 2000, leading the latter club to the top tier in 2001 and winning the 2002 Copa dos Campeões, which qualified his side to the 2003 Copa Libertadores. He resigned in September 2002, and subsequently took over Náutico. In April 2003, Givanildo was named manager of Remo, and left the club in December. For the 2004 season, he was named manager five times in four clubs; starting with Paysandu, he only lasted one month before turning out to Fortaleza. He eventually returned to Papão in April, being dismissed in August and taking over Remo, but finished the campaign in charge of Santa Cruz. Givanildo remained in charge of Santa Cruz until April 2006, when he resigned to take over Atlético Paranaense. Dismissed in July, he led Sport to the second place of the Série B. In 2007, Givanildo had unassuming spells at Santa Cruz, Vitória and Brasiliense; at the latter, he was in charge for just three matches, all defeats. He returned to Paysandu for the 2008 season, but stepped down and took over Vila Nova in April, staying at the club until the following February. On 17 March2009, Givanildo was appointed manager of Mogi Mirim, but moved to América Mineiro the following month. On 10 November, after winning the Série C with the latter, he took over Sport. On 19 July 2010, Givanildo returned to Santa. In September he resigned, and took over Ponte Preta on 25 October. On 18 May 2011, Givanildo rejoined Remo for a fourth spell. On 1 August he returned to América Mineiro, and subsequently took over Paysandu, ABC and Treze before rejoining the club on 17 September 2014. On 3 June 2016, Givanildo was sacked by América. On 5 September, he took over Náutico, but was dismissed on 2 December after failing to achieve promotion. On 17 February 2017, Givanildo was announced at Ceará. On 2 July he returned to Santa Cruz for a sixth spell, but was relieved from his duties on 27 August. On 27 February2018, Givanildo rejoined Remo. Sacked on 27 May, he took over América Mineiro for the fifth time on 11 November.
Honours
Player
; Santa Cruz
Campeonato Pernambucano: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1979
