Wolverhampton Wanderers are working on a deal to appoint Vitor Pereira as their new head coach following the departure of Gary O’Neil.
The Premier League club are ready to pay the release clause in the 56-year-old’s contract with Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab.
Personal terms are not expected to be a problem, given Pereira is thought to be keen on a move to Molineux and is excited by the quality of the squad.
The Portuguese and his backroom staff are vastly experienced having operated together in multiple countries and secured league titles at Porto, Olympiacos and Shanghai SIPG.
Pereira has built a strong reputation for his ability to handle big names and improve players, while he speaks multiple languages including very strong English.
If the points-to-games ratio he has achieved in most of his managerial career is replicated at the West Midlands side, it should be sufficient to retain their top-flight status.
Among the other factors thought to have led Pereira to being targeted are the discipline and emotional understanding he is said to apply to his work, both of which are particularly important in light of Wolves’ recent troubles.
Pereira enjoyed a successful spell at Porto (Miguel Riopa/AFP via Getty Images)
He was a candidate to replace Rafa Benitez at Everton in 2022 only for criticism from supporters ultimately ending with Frank Lampard being appointed instead.
Pereira joined Al Shabab in February of this year before guiding them to an eighth-placed finish. This season they sit sixth in the Saudi Pro League table after seven wins from 13 games.
O’Neil led Wolves to a 14th-placed finish in his first season in charge, recording victories over Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. He also guided the side to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
The 41-year-old signed a new four-year deal with the club in August but this season has been far more disappointing with just two league wins coming before the decision to relieve him of his duties following defeat by Ipswich Town on Saturday.
That result — sealed by a 94th-minute winning goal — came five days after the 2-1 defeat at West Ham United on Monday. In 16 Premier League games they have conceded 40 goals.
Wolves are next in action against Leicester City on Saturday.
‘Pereira will arrive with a daunting challenge to meet’
Analysis from Wolves correspondent Steve Madeley
Vitor Pereira will arrive at Molineux with a daunting challenge to meet.
The experienced Portuguese manager not only had to work with Wolves to rebalance a squad that has been found wanting badly in the final weeks of O’Neil’s reign, he must also help revitalise a talented group whose discipline and confidence has evaporated in recent weeks.
If Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich proved anything, both before and after the final whistle, it is that even the best players in the team are no longer operating with clear heads.
Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha are among the most important players in Pereira’s new group but both lost all composure and neither looked comfortable during the game, even before they blew up emotionally after the final whistle.
Restoring an emotional equilibrium will be the new man’s most pressing task.
But then, with the January transfer window just a few weeks away, he will need to work with the club to identify players to bolster the squad.
Without one or two additions in defence, it is hard to see any manager turning Wolves’ season around.
(Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images)
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