Al-Shabab manager Vitor Pereira is in talks with Wolves over becoming the Old Gold’s new manager.
Moments after Wolves sacked Gary O’Neil, it became clear that Pereira was in line to be the Englishman’s replacement.
Wolves are in talks with Pereira over the job at Molineux, with it expected that the coach will leave his current position at Al-Shabab.
It’s a trialling but exciting time for Wolves, who are in desperate need of change being so deep into the relegation zone.
When Vitor Pereira faced Pep Guardiola
While the Portuguese has never managed an English club, Pereira has faced several Premier League managers over the years.
The list includes Molineux icon Nuno Espirito Santo, who came up against Pereira three times during his career at Rio Ave.
Another name on the list of Premier League coaches to have faced the rumoured next Wolves boss is Pep Guardiola, in what was a battle for silverware back in 2011.
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13 years ago in the 2011 UEFA Super Cup, Guardiola and Pereira went head to head, with the Spaniard managing Barcelona at the time.
Head coach Vitor Pereira (C) of FC Porto talks besides his players Hulk (L) and Helton (R) during a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Super C...
Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images
The Catalan giants were the Champions League holders, giving Porto a significant task to attempt to get the better of Guardiola’s star-studded XI.
That was the view from the outside anyway, as Pereira refused to paint Barcelona in an admirable light prior to kick-off.
“We know Barcelona are a great team, but we are not here to see them play,” he said in the pre-match press conference.
“We came here to win this game, so we have the ingredients for a great spectacle. You will see our own game plan and identity; it won’t be about adapting to your opponent.”
Wolves fans will love the lack of fear shown by the manager, who was preparing to battle one of the best teams Europe has seen in recent years.
How Pereira’s Porto fared against Guardiola’s Barcelona
Porto showed no fear however, the scoreline failed to reflect the Dragons’ effort to win the game.
Barcelona won 2-0 courtesy of goals from Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas, with the game ending in defeat for Pereira.
FC Porto’s lineup vs Barcelona 2011 UEFA Super Cup final
That being said, the manager’s side certainly did as asked, refusing to go down without a fight, even though the match ended with only nine Porto players on the pitch.
Still, the Portuguese side recorded more corners than Barcelona and managed to fire eight shots on goal, via UEFA, standing strong despite being the underdogs.
Personality is a big part of Pereira’s profile, with hope there that the coach can make magic happen at Molineux in the near future.
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