Wolves Eye Pereira as Next Manager Following O'Neil's Departure

 

Wolves Target Vítor Pereira as Replacement After Gary O’Neil's Departure

Premier League strugglers Wolves are moving quickly to appoint a new manager following Gary O’Neil's dismissal. Former Porto and Olympiakos boss Vítor Pereira has emerged as the frontrunner, with the reported £800,000 compensation required to release him from Al Shabab not considered an obstacle.

While Wolves have explored other options, including former West Ham and Manchester United manager David Moyes, club sources indicate Pereira is the preferred candidate.

Pereira, 56, has been managing Al Shabab since February, leading them to an eighth-place finish in the Saudi Pro League last season. This campaign, his side currently sits sixth with seven wins from 13 matches. His résumé includes two Primeira Liga titles with Porto (2012, 2013) and a Greek Super League crown with Olympiakos (2015).

The Wolves squad is scheduled to return to training on Tuesday, and negotiations are reportedly advancing to have Pereira in place for Sunday’s crucial trip to Leicester City.

O’Neil’s dismissal came on Sunday morning after a 2-1 loss to Ipswich left Wolves second from bottom in the league, four points adrift of safety. His backroom staff, including Tim Jenkins, Shaun Derry, Ian Burchnall, Neil Cutler, and Woody Dewar, have also departed.

In a statement, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi expressed gratitude to O'Neil, saying:
"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."

O’Neil’s sacking comes just days after Shi publicly backed him, following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham. However, Wolves’ poor form this season — with only two wins and 11 defeats in 16 Premier League games — forced the club to act.

O’Neil had taken charge in August, just days before the start of the 2023-24 season, and guided Wolves to a 14th-place finish last term.