 In January 2012, de Paula returned to Badajoz, where he was hired as youth system coordinator.In April 2013, he started working with the Extremaduran Football Federation as a regional coach in the sub'12 and sub'16 categories, also being head director of its football academy.On 11 June 2015, de Paula was appointed head coach of Badajoz ahead of the season in Tercera División, declaring the side's intentions to promote.