Wolves SACK Vitor Pereira! Rock-bottom Premier League strugglers make huge call despite handing manager new contract in September

In what has turned out to be Pereira’s final game in charge, Wolves suffered a 3-0 defeat against Fulham on Saturday. Strikes from Ryan Sessegnon and Harry Wilson, as well as an own goal from defender Yerson Mosquera, consigned Pereira’s men to another defeat.

Following the game, Pereira said he was “trying everything” to arrest Wolves’ slide, telling the club’s official website: “I’m trying everything to mentally keep the team in conditions to compete. I had very good feelings from the last game, especially the second half, but I don’t think two days was enough to recover for this game. But it’s my responsibility.

“I’m not a manager to put the responsibilities on the players, but together, we need to have a talk, and to assume the responsibilities together as a group because we cannot accept this level that we played today.

“I understand [fans’ frustration] because if I’m not proud with what we did today, they – for sure – will not be. I must accept it because they are frustrated and I’m frustrated too.

“I’m suffering because it’s my work and I do my best every time, as I did last season, but today, technically, physically and practically, we didn’t play in our level. It means that they come here to support us and thanks for them, but in the end, I understand their frustration.

“I’m a fighter. I never give up. I’m not this kind of person. I will try my best in the next training to mentally recover the team, to tactically recover the organisation that we need for the next game.”

Pereira was only handed a three-year contract in September as the club stressed the importance of stability. Following Nuno Espirito Santo’s four-year spell in charge between 2017 and 2021, Wolves employed managers Bruno Lage, Julen Lopetegui and Gary O’Neil but none of them were able to achieve two years in charge of the club.

The new deal was also seen as a reward for Pereira after the former Porto boss helped the club avoid relegation to the Championship last season. Succeeding O’Neil in December 2024, the 57-year-old steered Wolves to 16th in the table, 17 points clear of the drop.

Speaking after signing his new contract, Pereira said: “I’m very proud to be Wolves head coach. It's an honour for me. This is the club that gave me the chance to come to the Premier League, the best league in the world. The people here embraced me as a member of the family, me and my staff we feel very good in the city, among the supporters.

“This is the moment that we need to be united. We are a one club city, and this city loves football. It is a passion. This is the spirit that we need to create together, to face and to compete with the best teams in this league.”

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