New boss Vitor Pereira says he wants to restore Wolverhampton Wanderers’ confidence

Wolverhampton Wanderers have the worst defence in the Premier League after conceding 40 goals. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED Dec 21, 2024, 11:14 AM

Thanks for sharing!

LONDON – New Wolverhampton Wanderers coach Vitor Pereira said on Dec 20 that he wants to help the players to regain their confidence with positive results, as the struggling side seek to avoid English Premier League relegation.

The 56-year-old Portuguese joined from Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab on a 18-month deal, and will take charge of his new team for the first time when they make the trip to Leicester City on Dec 22.

Pereira, who has won the Primeira Liga twice with Porto and the Super League Greece once with Olympiacos, has a huge task at hand with Wolves rooted second-bottom of the table with just nine points from 16 matches.

Under former manager Gary O’Neil, the team managed just two league wins this season and Pereira will need to get their campaign back on track with Wolves having the worst defence in the league after conceding 40 goals.

“Of course it is a responsibility but a good responsibility,” he said when asked if he thinks he can keep Wolves safe from relegation. “Now is the time to give confidence to them, to guide them like a tactical GPS.

“To put them in the same direction, to connect them and to face with confidence, to play with courage.

“Every game in the Premier League is very important. A good result brings confidence and this is important for us in this moment. We have an idea with a style to play and the results will bring them the confidence to believe in the idea.”

Pereira, a former midfielder, has held 13 managerial positions since beginning his coaching career with Portuguese side Sanjoanense in 2004. But he also said that was always not the plan.

“I remember the first step outside the country was to Saudi Arabia and when I left Porto my target was a club in England which means I had a meeting at that time to come to England,” Pereira said.

“But after a prince went to my home and knocked on my door and convinced me, I didn’t get the job in England but I went to Saudi Arabia.

“I had some approaches from clubs in England but Wolves did the step forward to finish. I had a project in Saudi Arabia but with this opportunity you cannot think twice. Because it’s (the) Premier League and in my opinion the Premier League is the best in the world.” REUTERS, AFP

More on this Topic

Join  ST's Telegram channel  and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Thanks for sharing!