Wolves are in talks to appoint Vitor Pereira as Gary O’Neil’s successor at Molineux.
The Portuguese is currently manager of Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab, coaching former Wolves star Daniel Podence.
Wolves want to hire Pereira this week, in a prompt turnaround at the helm following O’Neil’s dismissal after losing to Ipswich Town.
It’s all systems go for the Old Gold to appoint a new leader of the struggling squad, who are desperate to turn their relegation form around.
Vitor Pereira’s managerial record against Premier League managers
As Pereira edges closer to becoming O’Neil’s successor, Wolves fans are eager to learn more about the man who could replace the Englishman.
The 56-year-old Al-Shabab manager has previously coached in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Brazil, Greece, Germany and China, winning titles on four occasions.
Most prominently, Pereira won the league with Porto in both the 2012/13 and 2011/12 seasons, bolstering his managerial CV.
In his career, the possible next Wolves manager has faced five coaches who currently manage in the Premier League, including former Old Gold boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
| Manager | Clubs | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| Marco Silva | Porto vs Estoril | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Nuno Santo | Porto vs Rio Ave | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Ange Postecoglou | SH SIPG vs Yokohama | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Oliver Glasner | Fenerbahce vs Frankfurt | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Pep Guardiola | Porto vs Barcelona | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Nuno might be cautious of seeing Pereira make a move to England, given that the ex-Wolves manager has never beaten his countryman.
The same could go for Fulham’s Marco Silva, who has also never got the better of Pereira, and neither has Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner.
It makes for encouraging reading for Wolves fans, who are focused on seeing their club rise out of the relegation zone before it’s too late.
What Pereira has said about the Premier League
Having been tested against several coaches who have succeeded in the Premier League, it could now be Pereira’s chance to have a shot at the English top flight himself.
While Wolves’ plan to hire the Portuguese came as a surprise, a move to the Premier League has always been in Pereira’s plans, as he told journalist Ben Jacobs.
“My career so far has been a big journey, and I am in love with beautiful football. I really believe my next move will be to a top league in the world,” Pereira said in September 2024.
“The Premier League, LaLiga, or Serie A – one of these places. This is my target for the future and I think it’s just a question of time.
“I was so close to being a Premier League manager on three different occasions. Small things stopped it from happening each time, but in the future I believe I will be there.”
Only time will tell how O’Neil’s possible successor fares in England, in what could be an exciting hire for Wolves.
