From Perfect Match to Sudden Split: Examining Vitor Pereira’s Departure from Wolves

Pereira only signed a new three-year deal 45 days ago after guiding Wolves to safety last season.

He replaced Gary O’Neil last December – O’Neil having presided over another 10-game winless start – and oversaw a six-match winning streak between March and April. It was the club’s best top-flight run since 1970.

It looked like a perfect match – Pereira nominated for Premier League manager of the year – but cracks started to appear in the summer, which grew to a point where Pereira now regrets not walking away from Molineux at the start of the season.

The former Porto manager, who won the Portuguese title twice, wanted to continue last season’s success after finishing 17 points above the relegation zone in 16th.

The draw to do that was too big, yet he was unhappy with the planning over transfers and Wolves signed five senior players, spending around £100m, but none had Premier League experience and Pereira was disappointed not to land first-choice targets.

He ultimately sanctioned those who did arrive though, including striker Tolu Arokodare, and they were generally his picks, including driving the signing of winger Jhon Arias.

They lost significant top flight know-how in the summer when captain Nelson Semedo left on a free and Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri joined Manchester United and Manchester City respectively, meaning Wolves brought in nearly £120m, including other departures.

Cunha’s £62.5m transfer was a club record, after United triggered his release clause, but Wolves have been unable to replace his 15 goals and all-round talent.

Wolves scored 63 goals last season but the players who scored 32 of them are no longer at the club.

The club is looking to change strategy and will target more homegrown players in the future, to help their quota, and feel they are at the start of a new cycle, aware of the risks it brings.

There is a long-term view at Molineux that Wolves can succeed and even if they are relegated it can be handled, with owners Fosun not looking to sell the club, instead being open to minority investment into Fosun Sports Group.

But perhaps the long-term planning has seen them distracted from the short term and has left the club facing another battle against relegation, one which looks terminal this time.

Players have become mentally drained after conceding late goals which denied them wins over Tottenham and Brighton.

Last week’s late 3-2 defeat by Burnley, in which fans turned on Pereira for the first time, displayed Wolves losing to a team that appeared to be playing for a point with 15 minutes left.

Those results were fatal for the confidence of the side and the Clarets’ win at Molineux meant Pereira had lost to all of the promoted sides this season.

The fact the players were unable to respond under Pereira is believed to be one of the factors behind the decision to sack him, along with the obvious issue of poor results.

At Craven Cottage on Saturday the sight of Joao Gomes casually walking the ball back into his own half late on or Ki-Jana Hoever booting the ball across the pitch and into touch pointed to the players’ mindset.

How did pre-existing relationships with players like Matheus nunes and Fábio Silva influence expectations for Vitor pereira’s success at Wolves?

The Initial Promise: A Tactical Revolution at Molineux

When Vitor Pereira arrived at Wolverhampton Wanderers in November 2022, replacing the recently sacked Bruno Lage, the appointment felt…right. A manager with a proven track record in Portuguese football – notably with Porto and Olympiacos – and a history of implementing structured, attacking football, Pereira was seen as the ideal candidate to revitalize a struggling Wolves side. The initial optimism stemmed from several key factors:

* Familiarity with Key Players: Pereira had previously managed several Wolves players during his time at Porto, including Matheus Nunes (who woudl later move to Manchester City) and Fábio Silva. This pre-existing relationship was expected to accelerate integration and improve team cohesion.

* Tactical Flexibility: Known for adapting his formations – frequently utilizing 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 systems – Pereira promised a more dynamic and proactive approach than Lage’s frequently enough cautious style. Fans craved attacking football and a return to the exciting play that characterized Wolves’ early Premier League years.

* A Reputation for Development: Pereira had a history of nurturing young talent, a crucial aspect given Wolves’ reliance on developing players and their strong ties to super-agent Jorge Mendes.

Early signs were encouraging. A 1-1 draw against Leicester City showcased glimpses of the attacking intent fans had been longing for. The hope was that Pereira could unlock the potential within the squad and steer Wolves clear of a relegation battle. The focus was on improving the team’s Premier League performance and securing their top-flight status.

The Cracks Begin to Show: A Run of Poor Results

Despite the initial promise, the honeymoon period proved short-lived. A concerning run of form quickly followed, with Wolves failing to consistently translate promising performances into victories. Key issues began to emerge:

* Defensive Fragility: While aiming for attacking flair, Wolves’ defense became increasingly vulnerable. Conceding goals became a recurring problem, undermining any attacking progress. The team struggled with defensive organization and individual errors.

* Lack of goals: Despite the tactical shift, Wolves continued to struggle in front of goal. A reliance on individual brilliance rather than cohesive attacking movements hampered their ability to consistently find the back of the net. The goalscoring drought became a major talking point.

* Player Discontent: Reports surfaced of growing unrest within the squad, with some players reportedly questioning Pereira’s tactics and training methods. this internal friction undoubtedly impacted team morale and performance.

A especially damaging sequence of losses against Arsenal, Manchester United, and West Ham City piled the pressure on Pereira. The narrative shifted from potential salvation to impending crisis. The Wolves squad appeared increasingly demoralized.

the Mendes factor: Influence and Interference

The role of super-agent Jorge Mendes in Wolves’ managerial appointments has always been a subject of intense scrutiny. While Mendes’ connections have undoubtedly brought talented players to Molineux, his influence on managerial decisions has often been questioned. In Pereira’s case, the situation appeared particularly complex.

* Mendes’ Endorsement: Pereira was heavily backed by Mendes, who saw him as the ideal candidate to oversee a long-term project at Wolves. This strong endorsement initially provided Pereira with significant support.

* Allegations of Interference: However, reports emerged suggesting Mendes was overly involved in team selection and tactical decisions, potentially undermining Pereira’s authority. This alleged interference created a fractured relationship between the manager and the club’s hierarchy.

* The Search for Alternatives: As results deteriorated, Mendes reportedly began exploring alternative managerial options, further destabilizing Pereira’s position. The club ownership and Mendes’ influence became central to the narrative.

The Abrupt Dismissal and its Aftermath

On March 21, 2023, after just 89 days in charge, Vitor Pereira was sacked as Wolves manager. The decision, while not entirely unexpected given the team’s form, was still met with surprise due to Mendes’ strong backing.

* Julen Lopetegui’s Arrival: Wolves quickly moved to appoint Julen Lopetegui as Pereira’s replacement. Lopetegui, a highly respected coach with a proven track record in Spanish football, promptly instilled a sense of discipline and tactical clarity.

* Immediate Impact: Lopetegui’s arrival had an immediate positive impact, with Wolves embarking on a remarkable run of form that ultimately secured their Premier League survival. This stark contrast highlighted the failings of Pereira’s tenure.

* Lessons Learned: The Pereira experiment served as a cautionary tale for Wolves, highlighting the dangers of prioritizing connections over managerial competence and the importance of allowing managers autonomy. The managerial change proved pivotal for the club’s future.

Analyzing the Failure: Key Takeaways for Wolves

The swift and ultimately unsuccessful reign of Vitor Pereira at Wolves offers several valuable lessons for the club moving forward:

* Clear Vision & Strategy: Wolves need a clearly defined footballing philosophy and a long-