Wolverhampton Wanderers have announced the appointment of Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira as their new head coach. Pereira joins the club on an 18-month contract after leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab, with Wolves reportedly paying £825,000 in compensation.
Pereira replaces Gary O’Neil, who was dismissed following Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Ipswich on Saturday. The loss left the club in 19th place in the Premier League, with just two wins from 16 games this season. The Portuguese coach began training with the team on Thursday, preparing for a crucial fixture against Leicester City, who are 17th and five points ahead of Wolves.
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi expressed confidence in Pereira’s ability to steer the team away from relegation. “Vitor is a highly respected and experienced coach who has achieved success across different leagues. This is a challenging moment for the club, and we have full confidence in his ability to guide us back on track,” Shi said.
Pereira, 56, boasts an impressive managerial record, including back-to-back Primeira Liga titles with Porto in 2012 and 2013 and a Greek Super League title with Olympiakos in 2015. His recent stint with Al-Shabab saw the Saudi club reach sixth place in the league.
Wolves reportedly considered other candidates, including former West Ham manager David Moyes, before settling on Pereira as their preferred choice. His appointment marks a pivotal moment for the club as they seek to extend their seven-year stay in the top flight.
Sunday’s clash against Leicester represents a crucial test for Pereira, who is tasked with revitalizing Wolves’ season. With the team in dire need of points, fans and management hope his wealth of experience can deliver a turnaround and restore stability at Molineux.
