The Wolves intend to hire Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira in the next 24 hours to replace the fired Gary O’Neil.
O’Neil was sacked on Sunday morning after Saturday’s humiliating 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich left Wolves five points adrift of safety.
Pereira, who coaches Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab, has never coached in the Premier League before, although he came close to joining Everton before Frank Lampard was appointed in January 2022. Wolves are willing to pay the clause of termination of your contract.
Last Thursday, Wolves president Jeff Shi wrote an article in the local newspaper supporting O’Neil.
But the manner of the defeat against Ipswich convinced that a change in hierarchy was necessary.
Wolves conceded a set-piece in injury time (their 16th set-piece this season) and Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri were involved in scuffles after the final whistle. Ait-Nouri received a second yellow card and will miss Sunday’s trip to Leicester, while Cunha could also be retrospectively banned.
Wolves intend to appoint Vitor Pereira in the next 24 hours to replace Gary O’Neil
Wolves sacked O’Neil on Sunday morning following the humiliating defeat to Ipswich.
Although he has never worked in England, Pereira has won league titles with European giants FC Porto and Olympiacos.
Pereira, who speaks excellent English, also prefers to work with a back three, making him a good fit for this Wolves team.
Pereira has previously coached clubs such as Fenerbahce, Porto and Olympiacos.
He is Wolves’ first Portuguese appointment since Bruno Lage replaced Nuno Espírito Santo in 2021. They have had close links with Portugal over the last decade thanks to the strong relationships between owners Fosun and super-agent Jorge Mendes, although it is unclear whether Mendes has played. a part in this deal.
Wolves are expected to make funds available in January for new players, with a centre-back at the top of their list or priorities.