'I believe that we will stay in the Premier League'published at 17:04 22 December
17:04 22 December
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Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after picking up his first Premier League win of his managerial career: "I asked them to be proud of our work at the end of the game and to make the supporters proud of our work.
"In three days, to organise the team and give them confidence to play - that is hard.
"I believe that this team will be more comfortable with the ball, with more possession and also creating more situations to score.
"I believe that we will stay in the Premier League and we will play at a better level than we saw today.
"Today I am happy, as the team showed spirit and that spirit is what Wolves supporters want to see."
Sutton's predictions: Leicester v Wolvespublished at 12:06 22 December
12:06 22 December
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 17, he takes on Reverend & the Makers singer Jon McClure.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Wolves have just appointed Vitor Pereira as Gary O'Neil's replacement but they could be without their best attacking player, Matheus Cunha, through suspension, and he would be a huge miss.
They will be hoping for the same bounce in results that Leicester got when they appointed Ruud van Nistelrooy as manager a few weeks back but I think the Foxes were quite fortunate in some of those games.
Leicester have shown some spirit under Van Nistelrooy, but they are still heavily reliant on Jamie Vardy up front and still leaking goals too.
Wolves have even bigger problems at the back so Pereira might come in and try to shut up shop, but I don't know if they are capable of doing that - they are still the same players that conceded so many goals under O'Neil.
McClure's prediction: 1-1
Wolves have got enough quality to nab a draw here.
Artist Pereira wants to paint a new picture at Wolvespublished at 10:56 22 December
10:56 22 December
Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
New Wolves boss Vitor Pereira is ready to create a Molineux masterpiece.
The 56-year-old takes charge for the first time on Sunday, when second from bottom side Wolves travel to fellow strugglers Leicester City.
The Foxes, currently in 17th place, will open up an eight-point lead on Pereira's new side with victory, with the Portuguese manager facing a battle to keep Wolves in the Premier League.
But Pereira is ready to paint a new picture at the club.
"I like the [Leonardo] Da Vinci managers, the managers who are a step forward than the others. They create things - new things - because the beautiful things in football are the things we haven't made yet," he said.
"Every time football surprises me, because someone has come and done something different. [Pep] Guardiola came and did something different, [Jurgen] Klopp did something different and [Arne] Slot is now.
"I'm a very creative guy and I need to express [myself]. Football is to paint and create something new.
"It's what I feel inside of me. I came here to create something new and beautiful."
Pereira had been close to joining Everton three times since 2010, and Wolves is his 10th managerial job in the past 11 years.
He joined from Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab, having also managed in Turkey, Greece - where he won the title with Olympiakos - China and Brazil since leaving Porto in 2013 as a two-time title winner.
"I'm responsible for my career. I used to say football is my air to breathe. I can spend hours thinking about football because I'm a man of detail," he said.
"A lot of times my decisions don't allow me to get the right job.
"When I go one month without football, after two months I need to get on the pitch. A lot of times, I lost my patience to wait for the right opportunity. It's why I went to a lot of countries."
'A positive first impression'published at 17:03 20 December
17:03 20 December
Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
"I'm just Vitor," replied Vitor Pereira when asked to describe himself during his first Wolves press conference.
There were no bold declarations of being a special one like Jose Mourinho and the 56-year-old did not offer any guarantees of survival.
But the will to succeed is there and there is confidence in his own ability having waited 14 years to realise a dream of working in the Premier League.
His press conference lasted 46 minutes. How he wants to play, how long it might take to see his Wolves identity, the transfer window, the squad's recent indiscipline and his varied club history were among the many topics.
Pereira apologised for his English - which was excellent - before and after the press conference and only twice did he need a question repeating. Courteous and friendly, he even took a question about his salary in Saudi in his stride.
It was a positive first impression, the former Porto manager has a clear way of working but will need time - like any new manager - for his influence to sink in.
He will have had just three days to prepare for Sunday's trip to Leicester and after four straight defeats - 11 in 16 Premier League games - maybe an instant impact cannot be expected.
The self belief Pereira showed when facing the media for the first time will be needed if he is going to pull off a successful survival fight.
Pereira on why he took Wolves job, transfer window and Leicesterpublished at 14:24 20 December
14:24 20 December
Sarah Rendell BBC Sport journalist
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Leicester City (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Pereira was asked why he took the Wolves job: "Because it is the Premier League and in my opinion the Premier League is the best league in the world. Something that was my target for a long time. It means that I am in the right place with high-level players and managers. I am very happy to be here."
He added Jose Sa is unavailable and he was unsure if Matheus Cunha will feature in Sunday's game after he was charged by the Football Association with misconduct.
On if Nelson Semedo will remain captain: "Nelson is a very good boy, a good personality and now I am trying to understand where the leadership is on the pitch. It is important. It is not time to decide - it is time to study, to get information. After that we will decide the captain."
On if he believes he can Wolves up given they are currently second bottom in the Premier League: "Of course, it is a responsibility but a good responsibility. 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, to face with confidence and to play with courage."
On the Leicester game: "I think every game in the Premier League is very important. A good result brings confidence and this is important for us at this moment. We come with an idea and a style to play - and the results will bring them confidence to believe in the idea."
On plans for the January transfer window: "I think the club is open to do it but in this moment it is important with new ideas to understand the players on the pitch."
Full commentary of Leicester v Wolves on the BBC Sport website from 14:00 GMT on Sunday
Leicester City v Wolves: Did you know?published at 11:42 20 December
11:42 20 December
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The six Premier League meetings between Leicester City and Wolves at the King Power Stadium have seen just seven goals scored, compared to 21 in the six meetings between the sides at Molineux.
Pereira's priorities: Sign centre-backs and 'get defence organised'published at 10:31 20 December
10:31 20 December
Image source, Wolves via Getty Images
We asked for your views on new Wolves boss Vitor Pereira and his first priorities will be.
Here are some of your comments:
Finlay: An OK appointment - bit risky though. The aim should be to stay up, become more defensively organised on set-pieces, improve the defensive tactics, sign two monster centre-backs in January that are suited to the Premier League, still make sure we keep scoring, keep our star players like Matheus Cunha, Joao Gomes and Rayan Ait-Nouri, and also sign some experience. Boy, sounds tough!
Amar: Wolves need revitalising. Maybe a manager with vigour and aggression will get us moving up the table. It is time for the club to spend some money or seven years will have been wasted. All eyes are firmly on the board. Signings need to come at the start of the window and not the end.
Simon: The new manager needs to get his style and formation across to the players fast, back to basics and no more information overload as under Gary O'Neil. Get the defence organised and playing as a unit. I'm hoping he picks a system and sticks to it, giving players the time to grow into the new approach. I'm hopeful of this appointment.
Stuart: As everyone at the club knows, additional defensive strength is paramount, with perhaps two or three of the current squad playing in a different position.
Mike: Priorities are to strengthen the defence, with probably two centre-backs needed, and to get a grip on the lack of discipline shown by some players at the end of the last two games. We need passion in the team but it must be shown in the correct manner.
Luke: Priority number one is sorting the defence and set-piece defending. Then addressing this terrible lack of discipline which has crept in to the squad. Can he keep us up? As Nuno once said: "To dream is for free." We live in hope but I don't think any Wolves fans expect us to be a Premier League side next season.
How can Wolves improve?published at 10:08 20 December
10:08 20 December
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I think the Wolves squad is the squad for the incoming manager and they will not be making too many changes to that.
That is one of the main reasons they have not done as well as they would have hoped in terms of replacing some of the bigger names and significant players who have left them over the past couple of seasons.
I think to start with, the new manager will have to make them better defensively as a collective. I'm not saying it is just the backline but they are conceding too many goals and as a consequence there is too much pressure on them to score a lot of goals to get results.
To make them more competitive and solid from the get-go is huge. From there, if you have that, maybe you get one or two results start to go your way and the belief will increase. A new manager coming in and telling you to have belief does not mean you will on your own because the players are far more jaded.
In terms of set-up, making them more solid is key and trying to get rid of some of those individual errors which have been costing them. From then, go back to believing in themselves as a team because they are not too far away from being outside the bottom three.
I think he just needs to remind them of that fact and that little changes can make a big difference. If he can do that as a point of emphasis, I think they will be in a better position in the coming weeks.
Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
Gossip: Wolves could move for Lens' Danso in Januarypublished at 07:18 20 December
07:18 20 December
Wolves could target a January move for 26-year-old Austria centre-back Kevin Danso, who Lens may look to sell. (L'Equipe - in French), external
Pereira needs to work fast to heal Molineux rift published at 16:03 19 December
16:03 19 December
Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi calling their current situation a "challenging moment for the club" feels like a bit of an understatement.
Vitor Pereira is walking into a club needing to quickly repair the fractures that have become more visible this season.
Results cover over a multitude of problems and if teams are winning then any issues can fade into the background, but Wolves' position and form this season has exacerbated the divide between ownership and supporters.
Discontent during Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Ipswich - Gary O'Neil's final game in charge - was evident.
On the pitch, they could fall eight points behind Leicester with defeat at King Power Stadium on Sunday and Pereira will need a fast start to heal Molineux.
He took training for the first time on Thursday, with just three days to prepare for a crucial game at the 17th-placed Foxes.
'Personality, desire and leadership qualities' - Hobbs on Pereirapublished at 15:17 19 December
15:17 19 December
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Sporting director Matt Hobbs says he will be working with new head coach Vitor Pereira to "strengthen the squad and achieve our collective goals", as the club look to climb out of the relegation zone under his leadership.
Wolves are five points off safety in the Premier League, having already played 16 games this season.
"Vitor is a highly experienced and accomplished head coach, who has demonstrated his ability to succeed at the highest level," Hobbs said. "His personality, desire and leadership qualities stood out to us during this process, and we are excited to see how he applies his expertise here at Wolves.
"I'm looking forward to working closely with Vitor and his team on a daily basis, supporting them in every way possible - from getting the maximum out of our staff at Compton to recruitment in the upcoming transfer window."
It will be the Portuguese manager's first time taking charge of a Premier League side, having previously won Primeira Liga titles with Porto in 2012 and 2013 plus the Greek Super League with Olympiakos in 2015.
He arrives at Molineux after leaving his managerial post at Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab.
Pereira joins Wolves - What are the priorities for the new boss?published at 14:34 19 December
14:34 19 December
Image source, Getty Images
Wolves have confirmed the appointment of Vitor Pereira as the club's new head coach on an 18-month deal.
The 56-year-old, who was managing Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League, replaces Gary O'Neil after he was sacked following the side's 2-1 defeat by Ipswich on Saturday.
Pereira arrives at Wolves with the side languishing 19th in the Premier League, five points off safety.
The former Porto boss has never previously managed in English football but has won four league titles in three countries.
"We are delighted to welcome Vitor Pereira to Wolves," said chairman Jeff Shi. "Vitor is a highly respected and experienced coach who has achieved success across different leagues and will bring a new approach for the test ahead.
"This is a challenging moment for the club, and we want to thank Vitor for taking on this responsibility. We have full confidence in his ability to guide us back on track, alongside the players and staff, and the entire club will be united in supporting him to achieve success."
What do you make of this appointment, Wolves fans?
Is Pereira the right man to bring stability?published at 12:59 19 December
12:59 19 December
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Former Aston Villa and Leicester City midfielder Marc Albrighton says that changing manager "gives time" to Wolves as they bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
"The change has probably come at the right time," Albrighton told BBC Radio WM.
"Whatever Gary O'Neil was doing it wasn't working, he wasn't getting a reaction out of the players – or the right reaction, anyway.
"I do think that this gives them time. I think everybody who has watched football over the years knows that this is a crucial period whichever end of the table you're at."
Premier League winner Albrighton does not believe Pereira is the man to bring long term stability back to the West Midlands club.
"I look at his track record and it doesn't strike me as long-term. I think the longest he's been in a job is three years," Albrighton added.
"I think the club needs stability over the next few years and I just don't think he brings that."
Brazilian journalist on Pereira's temper and 'extraordinary heart'published at 09:12 19 December
09:12 19 December
Marcus Alves BBC Sport
Image source, Getty Images
Vitor Pereira's explosive nature and 'my way or the highway' approach have not gone down well with some of his players in the past.
Pereira can be hot-headed and he says whatever he thinks he has to say to whoever needs to hear it. It is part of his personality he credits to his humble roots, but it is also a mechanism of self-defence
He has also said he does not know how to deal with "spoiled players" - "rich kids that have never suffered, and don't know how to suffer in life".
Several Corinthians players publicly welcomed his departure from the club after just 10 months in 2022.
"We were happy that he was leaving, I don't need to lie," said winger Roger Guedes.
Controlling his passionate nature will be key if he is to succeed with Wolves in his first Premier League adventure.
"Sometimes he goes overboard with the amount of time he spends worrying about things related to the team and the players," said former right-hand man Rui Quinta.
"I've told him this a few times: it's important to step away occasionally, take a breather, and come back with full energy. He's a coach who has an extraordinary heart."
'Wholly unacceptable' loss of discipline shows Wolves 'at rock bottom'published at 16:06 18 December
16:06 18 December
Image source, Getty Images
In my opinion, I do not think some of the loss of discipline from Wolves players was on Gary O'Neil.
It shows a great sense of frustration with the position they are in. It is their belief that they should be doing better and some of the results that are going against them are in games they would be going into having earmarked three points from them.
To not come away with no points and for performances to be the way that they were, such as losing at home in the last minute to Ipswich, you cannot condone what happened but I have seen people get that angry before.
They are struggling to control their emotions. It is the type of thing they will apologise for with huge regret because it will not represent who they are the majority of the time but it shows a place in crisis.
There are teams losing the same amount of games as them who are not having those moments. When that starts to happen, it puts a different type of pressure on the manager and the coaching staff. That is because for a long time you could say the performances were all right, they still had their discipline and there was a sense of hope. But it changes the conversation when the players who you are in charge of are doing things like they did.
I would not say O'Neil had to stop the players from doing it but they are probably in the worst position they have been in their careers which is why they are acting how they are.
The new manager coming in is losing out on players through suspension who could make a big difference. It shows emotionally where that team was at.
I would say those reactions show a team that has not given up - but is at rock bottom.
Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
Image source, Getty Images
