Vitor Pereira, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ new head coach, expressed optimism on Friday as he prepares to take charge of his first game against Leicester City on Sunday.
The 56-year-old Portuguese tactician, who recently joined from Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab on an 18-month deal, faces a significant challenge with the struggling Midlands side sitting second-bottom in the Premier League table with just nine points from 16 matches.
Pereira’s Objectives
- Confidence and Tactics: Vitor Pereira emphasized his intention to help the team regain confidence with positive results. Now is the time to give confidence to them, to guide them like a tactical GPS,” he said. “To put them in the same direction, to connect them and to face with confidence, to play with courage.”
- Tactical Approach: The new manager aims to implement a style of play that aligns with Wolves’ strengths. Every game in the Premier League is very important,” he added. “A good result brings confidence and this is important for us in this moment. We came with an idea with a style to play and the results will bring them the confidence to believe in the idea.”
Challenges Ahead
- Wolves’ Struggles: Under former manager Gary O’Neil, Wolves managed just two league wins this season and have the worst defence in the league after conceding 40 goals.
- Premier League Position: Vitor Pereira has a tough task ahead to turn around the team’s fortunes and avoid relegation, with the team currently 17th in the Premier League.
Pereira’s Background
- Managerial Experience: Vitor Pereira, a former midfielder, has held 13 managerial positions since starting his coaching career with Sanjoanense in 2004. His previous success includes winning the Primeira Liga with Porto and the Super League Greece with Olympiacos.
- Journey to Wolves: Pereira noted that his first plan was to move to a club in England, but an opportunity in Saudi Arabia came up first. He described Wolves’ approach as decisive, expressing eagerness to take the job despite previous offers from other English clubs.
With Pereira now at the helm, Wolves will look to build on any positive results they can achieve, starting with their upcoming match against Leicester City as they aim to climb out of the relegation zone.