The 57-year-old head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers is on a mission. First and foremost, he has to get the team out of the relegation zone, but more importantly, become a stable Premier League club in the long term. Pereira inherited a rudderless squad and found an immediate positive impact on the team. He led Wolves on an astonishing run of six straight wins earlier this season. Under his leadership, he’s been granted a new contract — a signal that the club believes in his vision and is confident in his direction.
With his background as a former public school teacher and administrator, Pereira’s first-season experience will bode well for Wolves. A successful tenure means titles in Portugal, Greece, and China, proving that he can flourish and win in various ecosystems. Yet, he isn’t blind to the challenges ahead. The club’s precarious position underlines how desperately those summer arrivals need to adjust to the Premier League at a rapid pace.
“I am not used to being in this position,” Pereira said, expressing his discomfort with Wolves’ current situation. Through it all, he never loses faith — in himself, or in what he’s been able to build in his players. I have very high faith in us, in me, in my staff, in our work. And I believe strongly in the guys, in the club and in the fans,” he said.
Over the last two weeks, Pereira has been hands on with his players. He’s led a greater focus on identifying each player’s personal strengths and weaknesses. He’s particularly upbeat on the squad’s ability to transform themselves to suit different styles of play. “Now, I think it is possible to play with three or four. We can manage both systems. For us, it is important because we can surprise the opponent,” he explained.
“The coach understands that building that kind of chemistry is a process that takes time. They will become better. They will be in condition to show why we bought them. They need this time. It is not easy. This is the time that we need. We cannot do magic,” he remarked. Pereira’s philosophy is an honest one based on a process of hard work—including learning from mistakes—towards improvement and building towards winning.
Wolves’ displays have been much more encouraging lately, with the players getting applauded off by the home fans after games last week. Pereira’s mantra, “first the points then the pints,” emphasizes his commitment to getting the job done before partying. As of now, he’s very much committed to raising the team’s standard of play and eventually restoring happiness to the fans, but—
“I will work hard, the hours that I need, to increase the level of this team, to see again the happiness in the faces of the supporters.” – Vitor Pereira
Pereira’s style goes beyond tactical flexibility, though — he’s creating the right environment for his players to thrive in. His dedication to creating a more competitive team out of a talent-rich league came through. “We have worked together for two weeks. It is a start. Now I am having good feelings because now I think we can compete,” he noted.
Pereira is very intentional about learning from his players. He knows that each of these competitors has special qualities that will unlock championship fuel within the team. “I need to understand what each one can give me in the system,” he stated. This greater appreciation will be key in figuring out how he should best deploy his roster depending on the scenario within any given match.
Though Wolves have mountains to climb in this very young season, Pereira’s resolve and positive outlook radiate. He’s big on club cohesion and internal collaboration to help improve the status quo. And together we will indeed. Together,” he promised.
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