Vitor Pereira: Wolves' New Manager Ready for Premier League Challenge

Vitor Pereira has taken the reins at Wolves, aiming to draw on his experience managing top clubs in Europe to steer the team clear of relegation.

Vitor Pereira has expressed his delight at realizing his long-held ambition of managing in the Premier League, following his appointment as the new head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Pereira, 56, takes the reins at Molineux, replacing Gary O'Neil, who was sacked after a disappointing run of results.

Pereira's appointment was confirmed on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in his managerial career. The Portuguese tactician joins Wolves from Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab, where he had been in charge since February.

Vitor Pereira will make his Wolves debut as manager against fellow relegation strugglers Leicester City this weekend. Wolves are currently second from bottom in the Premier League, five points away from safety.

Pereira's decision to join Wolves was driven by his long-held ambition to manage in the Premier League. When asked about his motivation for joining the Midlands club, Pereira explained, “Because it's (the) Premier League and in my opinion the Premier League is the best in the world. It's something that was my target for a long time.”

Pereira is thrilled to be part of the Premier League, citing the high level of players, managers, and organizations as a major draw. “It means that I'm in the right place, with top, high-level players, high-level managers, organisations and I'm very happy to be here,” he said.

Pereira's managerial experience includes winning the Portuguese Primeira Liga title with Porto in 2012 and 2013, as well as the Greek Super League with Olympiakos in 2015. However, he faces a tough challenge at Wolves, who are struggling to avoid relegation. The team's recent 2-1 loss to Ipswich led to the sacking of former manager Gary O'Neil.

A defeat against Leicester on Sunday would leave Wolves eight points behind their opponents, who are currently just outside the relegation zone. Pereira is well aware of the task ahead and will be looking to make a positive impact from the outset.

Vitor Pereira's managerial career has taken him to various clubs around the world, including 1860 Munich and Brazilian powerhouses Corinthians and Flamengo. This diverse experience has prepared him for the challenges of managing in the Premier League. “I have had different experiences with different levels of players and leagues but this is important,” Pereira said, reflecting on his past experiences.

Pereira believes that his wealth of experience will serve him well in his new role at Wolves. He views his appointment as a significant responsibility, but one that he is eager to embrace. “I'm sure everything will help me to do my job. Of course, it is a responsibility, but a good responsibility,” Pereira explained. He also outlined his approach to motivating and guiding his players, saying: “Now is the time to give confidence to them, to guide them like a tactical GPS. To put them in the same direction, to connect them and to face with confidence, to play with courage.”