Wolves intend to appoint Portugal coach Vitor Pereira as his successor within the next 24 hours fired Gary O’Neil.
O’Neil was fired Sunday morning after Saturday’s game a humiliating 2-1 home defeat By Ipswich This left Wolves five points adrift of safety.
Pereira, who coaches Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab, has never coached in the Arab league First league earlier, although he was close to joining Everton before they appointed Frank Lampard in January 2022. Wolves are ready to pay the release clause included in his contract.
Just last Thursday, Wolves president Jeff Shi wrote an op-ed in a local newspaper in support of O’Neil.
However, the manner of the defeat against Ipswich convinced that a change in the hierarchy was necessary.
Wolves conceded a goal from a set piece in stoppage time – their 16th goal conceded this season – and Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri got into a fight after the final whistle. Ait-Nouri received a second yellow card and will miss Sunday’s game against fellow rivals Leicester, while Cunha could also face a retroactive ban.
Wolves want to appoint Vitor Pereira to replace Gary O’Neil within the next 24 hours
Wolves sacked O’Neil on Sunday morning after a humiliating defeat to Ipswich
Although he never worked in England, Pereira won league titles with European giants FC Porto and Olympiacos.
Pereira, who speaks excellent English, also prefers to work with a back three, which makes him a good fit for Wolves.
This is Wolves’ first appointment in Portugal since Bruno Lage replaced Nuno EspÃrito Santo in 2021. Wolves have had close ties with Portugal over the past decade thanks to the strong relationship between owners Fosun and super-agent Jorge Mendes, although it is unclear whether Mendes played part of this agreement.
Wolves are expected to make funds available to new players in January, with a centre-back expected to be at the top of their list or priority.
