Vitor Pereira trained for the first time as Wolves manager on Thursday after agreeing an 18-month deal to take charge of the Premier League strugglers.
The Portuguese coach has signed a contract at Molineux until the end of next season. The Wolves moved on to Pereira, a client of influential agent Jorge Mendes, shortly after firing Gary O’Neil on December 15.
Wolves will invest in the January transfer window with central defense as a priority, but it will still be a difficult task for Pereira to keep up with them. They have nine points from 16 games and after Sunday’s trip to Leicester, who are also battling relegation, Wolves’ next six league games will be against Manchester United, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Chelsea and Arsenal.
They could also be without their star attacker Matheus Cunha for a significant period. The Brazilian was charged by the FA over an altercation with a member of the Ipswich staff after Wolves lost 2-1 to Kieran McKenna’s side in O’Neil’s final match. Cunha had until Thursday to respond to the accusation.
Wolves president Jeff Shi said: “This is a challenging time for the club and we want to thank Vitor for taking on this responsibility.”
“We have every confidence in his ability to guide us back on the right path, along with the players and staff, and the entire club will be united in supporting him to achieve success.”
Wolves have confirmed the appointment of Vitor Pereira (above) as their new manager
Former boss Gary O’Neil sacked after disappointing defeat to Ipswich
Pereira may have to do without star player Matheus Cunha for a significant period after the striker was charged following an altercation with a member of the Ipswich staff on Saturday.
Sporting director Matt Hobbs added: “I look forward to working closely with Vitor and his team on a daily basis and supporting them in every way possible – from getting the most out of our staff at Compton to recruiting in the upcoming transfer window – as we work together. to strengthen the team and achieve our collective goals.
It is Wolves’ first Portuguese appointment since Bruno Lage replaced Nuno Espirito 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 Mendes.
Last Thursday, Wolves president Jeff Shi wrote an article in the local newspaper supporting O’Neil.
But the manner of the defeat to Ipswich on Saturday convinced the hierarchy that a change was necessary.
Wolves conceded a set-piece in injury time (their 16th set-piece this season) and 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.