Wolverhampton Wanderers are on the hunt for a new manager after a rocky start to the 2025-26 Premier League season.
The club parted ways with Vitor Pereira following a disastrous run that has left them at the bottom of the table, sparking speculation about potential replacements to steer the team away from relegation danger.
Erik ten Hag Emerges as a Surprising Candidate
Among the frontrunners to take over at Molineux is Erik ten Hag, the Dutch manager currently out of work.
Ten Hag has been without a club since September 1, when he was dismissed by Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen after just three matches in charge.
Interestingly, Wolves are considering him alongside former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, who managed the club from August 2023 to December 2024.
Ten Hag’s potential move would mark a stark contrast to his previous experiences, as he has predominantly managed top-tier sides and is untested in a relegation battle.
A Return to the Premier League
Ten Hag may feel he has unfinished business in England after being sacked by Manchester United last October.
During his time at Old Trafford, he lifted two domestic cups but struggled in the league, leaving United 14th after just four wins from the first 14 matches.
His departure came despite the club activating a one-year contract extension the previous summer.
Joining Wolves, who are currently eight points from safety, would provide a completely new challenge for the Dutchman, testing him in a high-pressure relegation scrap unlike anything he has faced before.
Pereira’s Short-Lived Tenure
Pereira’s time in Wolverhampton was also turbulent. The former Fenerbahce and Corinthians boss had only signed a three-year deal in September, with chairman Jeff Shi expressing confidence that he needed time to build squad chemistry.
However, Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Fulham proved to be the final straw, forcing the club’s hand.
Pereira had initially guided Wolves to a 16th-place finish in his debut season after arriving in December, but significant squad changes over the summer—including the departures of Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Nelson Semedo—left the club in a vulnerable position.
A poor start to the current season left Wolves rock bottom and six points from safety, ultimately ending Pereira’s stint at Molineux.
What Lies Ahead
If Ten Hag were to accept the Wolves job, it would mark a dramatic return to the Premier League and a sharp departure from his usual managerial challenges.
With the club desperate to escape relegation, the new appointment will need to hit the ground running and bring stability to a team struggling to find form.