Wolves are in advanced talks with Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira over their vacant head coach position, the PA news agency understands.
The Premier League club are looking to move fast after sacking Gary O’Neil on Sunday following the 2-1 home defeat by fellow strugglers Ipswich.
It is understood Wolves hope to make an appointment early next week as they move on from O’Neil.
Defeat.
🐺⏱️ pic.twitter.com/QsM7p4B0dP
— Wolves (@Wolves) December 14, 2024
Former Porto, Olympiacos and Fenerbahce manager Pereira is currently in charge of Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab.
The 56-year-old has won league titles in Portugal, Greece and China during an extensive managerial career and was close to replacing Rafael Benitez as Everton manager in 2022.
On that occasion, he lost out to Frank Lampard after fans protested against his reported appointment, with the message ‘Pereira out, Lampard in’ being painted on a wall at Goodison Park.
But it appears he is now set for a Premier League job and would become the third Portuguese manager to take charge of Wolves following Nuno Espirito Santo and Bruno Lage.
O’Neil was sacked after Saturday’s defeat – Wolves’ fourth in a row – left them second bottom of the Premier League with nine points from 16 games.
Emotions spilled over at full-time as Rayan Ait-Nouri was shown a second yellow card and Matheus Cunha also had to be restrained.
That came days after Mario Lemina was stripped of the captaincy following his post-match clash with West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen after the midlands club’s defeat in London on Monday night.
O’Neil was appointed in August 2023 following the departure of Julen Lopetegui and signed a new four-year deal with the club in August this year.
In a statement on the club website, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi said: “We’re very grateful to Gary for all of his effort, dedication and hard work during his time at the club, and we wish him and his team the best of luck for the future.”
