Wolverhampton Wanderers have officially appointed Vítor Pereira as their new head coach, tasking the experienced Portuguese manager with steering the club away from Premier League relegation danger.
Pereira, 56, joins Wolves on an 18-month deal after parting ways with Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab. He replaces Gary O’Neil, who was dismissed following a string of disappointing results.
With a career that includes winning two Primeira Liga titles with Porto and a Greek Super League championship with Olympiakos, Pereira brings a wealth of experience.
The Portuguese coach was also a strong contender for the Everton managerial role in 2022.
Wolves Pay €1 Million for Pereira’s Appointment
Reports suggest Wolves have paid approximately €1 million (£870,000) to secure Pereira’s services, demonstrating their commitment to turning their season around.
Speaking on the appointment, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi said, “We are delighted to welcome Vitor Pereira to Wolves as the new head coach of our men’s first-team. Vitor is a highly respected and experienced coach who has achieved success across different leagues and will bring a new approach for the test ahead.
“This is a challenging moment for the club, and we want to thank Vitor for taking on this responsibility. We have full confidence in his ability to guide us back on track, alongside the players and staff, and the entire club will be united in supporting him to achieve success.”
Immediate Impact Needed
Pereira wasted no time and led his first training session on Thursday. He will be on the touchline for Wolves’ critical fixture against Leicester City on Sunday. The Foxes sit five points ahead of Wolves in the table, making the clash a key opportunity to narrow the gap.
The managerial change comes after Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Ipswich, their fourth consecutive loss, left them second from bottom in the league with just nine points from 16 matches.
A Turbulent Year for Wolves
Gary O’Neil, who was dismissed earlier this week, had taken charge in August 2023 following Julen Lopetegui’s departure. Despite signing a new four-year contract in August, O’Neil struggled to inspire consistent performances.
Pereira now faces the daunting task of reigniting Wolves’ campaign and securing their place in the top flight for another season.
