Wolves are in a time of transition, and Vitor Pereira has stepped up to the challenge as their new head coach.
The Portuguese manager took charge of his first training session on Thursday after signing an 18-month contract with the club.
Pereira will oversee the team’s efforts through the end of next season, with the aim of turning their fortunes around in the Premier League.
A Tough Road Ahead
The club’s management wasted no time in making the change, parting ways with Gary O’Neil on December 15 and swiftly appointing Pereira, a client of renowned agent Jorge Mendes.
While Wolves have committed to strengthening the squad in January, particularly with a focus on central defense, Pereira faces a difficult task ahead.
With just nine points from 16 matches, the team is fighting relegation.
After Sunday’s match against Leicester—another team battling to avoid the drop—Wolves will face a challenging run of fixtures, including games against Manchester United, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Arsenal.
Potential Setbacks
Adding to the pressure, Wolves could be without key attacker Matheus Cunha for an extended period.
The Brazilian forward is facing charges from the FA following an altercation with an Ipswich staff member after Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Kieran McKenna’s side.
Cunha had until Thursday to respond to the charge, and his potential absence could further complicate the team’s fight for survival.
Club’s Support for Pereira
Wolves’ chairman, Jeff Shi, expressed full confidence in Pereira’s ability to lead the team back to safety, emphasizing the collective effort needed from the players, staff, and fans.
“This is a challenging moment for the club, and we want to thank Vitor for taking on this responsibility,” Shi said.
“The entire club will be united in supporting him to achieve success.”
Sporting director Matt Hobbs also voiced his commitment to helping Pereira, saying, “I’m looking forward to working closely with Vitor and his team, supporting them in every way possible—whether that’s getting the maximum out of our staff or strengthening the squad in the upcoming transfer window.”
A Strong Connection with Portugal
This marks Wolves’ first Portuguese managerial appointment since Bruno Lage took over from Nuno Espirito Santo in 2021.
The club has had a strong relationship with Portugal over the past decade, largely thanks to the connections between club owners Fosun and super-agent Mendes.
The Final Straw
Just a week before Pereira’s appointment, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi had publicly supported O’Neil in a local newspaper article.
However, the disappointing loss to Ipswich proved to be the tipping point for the club’s leadership.
Wolves conceded yet another late goal from a set-piece, bringing their total to 16 conceded from dead-ball situations this season.
Tensions flared after the final whistle, with Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri involved in scuffles.
Ait-Nouri, already on a yellow card, received a second and will miss Sunday’s crucial match against Leicester.
What’s Next for Wolves?
As the club embarks on this new chapter under Vitor Pereira, the pressure is on to reverse their fortunes and ensure Premier League survival.
With critical matches ahead and a squad that needs strengthening, it remains to be seen whether the new manager can guide Wolves through this tough period.