Wolverhampton Wanderers have officially named Vitor Pereira as their new head coach on an 18-month contract, marking a pivotal moment for the club battling to escape relegation.
Pereira, 56, takes over from Gary O’Neil, who was sacked on December 15 following four consecutive Premier League losses that left the team languishing in 19th place.
A club statement confirmed Pereira’s appointment on Thursday, signaling a fresh start for Wolves under the guidance of the experienced Portuguese tactician.
Pereira, who has an impressive track record with clubs such as Porto, Olympiacos, and Shanghai SIPG, brings a wealth of managerial expertise, boasting four league titles across Portugal, Greece, and China.
Chairman Jeff Shi shared his enthusiasm about Pereira’s arrival, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Vitor Pereira to Wolves… This is a challenging moment for the club… We have full confidence in his ability to guide us back on track.”
Pereira began his managerial career in 2004 and has held 13 positions, achieving notable success at Porto, where he claimed back-to-back league titles in 2012 and 2013. Similar feats followed in Greece and China, adding to his reputation as a tactician capable of turning struggling teams into champions.
Sporting director Matt Hobbs highlighted Pereira’s leadership qualities, saying, “Vitor is a highly experienced and accomplished head coach… His personality, desire, and leadership qualities stood out to us.”
Pereira led his first training session with Wolves on Thursday and is set to make his Premier League managerial debut this weekend against Leicester City.
Reflecting on his new role, Pereira expressed his commitment to the club, saying, “The Premier League is one of the most competitive leagues in the world… I am fully committed to helping the team achieve its potential.”
