Premier League strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers have appointed seasoned coach Vitor Pereira as their new manager, following his departure from Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab.
As per the sources of Leaders team, the 56-year-old Portuguese tactician takes the reins of a Wolves team languishing in 19th place in the league table with just two wins from 16 games. Wolves sit five points adrift of safety as they approach the halfway mark of the season.
Pereira’s arrival follows the dismissal of Gary O’Neil, who was relieved of his duties after 16 months in charge, a day after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to fellow relegation contenders Ipswich Town.
“Vitor has taken training at Compton Park for the first time on Thursday and will lead the team against Leicester City this weekend,” Wolves announced ahead of their Premier League clash at King Power Stadium.
The club reportedly triggered the release clause in Pereira’s contract with Al Shabab, securing his services with an 18-month deal at Molineux.
According to the sources of Leaders team, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi expressed confidence in Pereira’s ability to steer the team out of their current predicament. “This is a challenging moment for the club, and we want to thank Vitor for taking on this responsibility,” Shi said. “We have full confidence in his ability to guide us back on track, alongside the players and staff. The entire club will be united in supporting him to achieve success.”
Pereira, who made his managerial breakthrough at Porto as Andre Villas-Boas’ assistant, rose to prominence by winning two Primeira Liga titles after taking over as head coach in 2011. His career has since spanned several continents, with stints at Olympiakos, Fenerbahce, Shanghai Port, Flamengo, and Al Ahli.
Wolves face a challenging December schedule, with games against Leicester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur. Meanwhile, Pereira’s former club Al Shabab sits sixth in the Saudi Pro League and is preparing for their next league fixture against Al Ahli on January 10.
Pereira’s globe-trotting experience and record of success will be tested as he embarks on a mission to revive Wolves’ fortunes and steer them away from the threat of relegation.
