Wolves target Vitor Pereira as new manager after Gary O’Neil sacked
Wolves are in talks with Al-Shabaab boss Vito Pereira to succeed head coach Gary O’Neill. sacked by the club on sunday.
The Premier League’s struggling sides are looking for a quick appointment and the compensation they would have to pay to secure former Porto and Olympiacos boss Pereira is not believed to be an issue.
Wolves have been assessing their options and have considered other possible replacements, including former West Ham and Manchester United boss David Moyes.
But club sources have told BBC Sport that Pereira is the frontrunner for the job.
Pereira has been in charge of Al-Shabaab since February and finished eighth in the Saudi Professional League last season. They currently sit in sixth place with seven wins from 13 games.
The 56-year-old Portuguese won two Premier League titles with Porto in 2012 and 2013, and won the Greek Super League title with Olympiacos in 2015.
Wolves will not resume training until Tuesday, when Pereira is likely to take charge, with his first game against Leicester on Sunday if negotiations go as planned.
O’Neill was sacked on Sunday morning following Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich Town, which leaves the team second from bottom and four points from safety.
His backroom staff, Tim Jenkins, Sean Derry, Ian Birchnall, Neil Cutler and Woody Duvall, also left.
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi said: “We are very grateful to Gary for all his efforts, dedication and hard work during his time at the club and we wish him and his team all the best for the future.”
41 year old left only three days After Monday’s 2-1 loss to West Ham United, Sy said the club was “united” in supporting O’Neill.
Saturday’s defeat was their 11th in 16 Premier League games this season, with them having won just twice in the top flight.
O’Neill replaced Julen Lopetegui four days before the start of the 2023-24 season, with Wolves finishing 14th.
