It was inevitable, but Leeds United’s relegation rivals, Wolverhampton Wanderers, have reportedly decided to sack Vitor Pereira, a few weeks after handing him a new contract.
Wolves currently sit rock-bottom of the Premier League after 10 games, with just two points in the bank. On Saturday, Wolves went to Fulham and after being reduced to 10 men, suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat.
A Fulham side that got lucky against Leeds; Marco Silva’s words. Leeds matched Fulham at Craven Cottage earlier this season before Gabriel Gudmundsson headed into his own net, a freak own goal.
But Wolves were outplayed. Leeds target Harry Wilson got his name on the score sheet as Fulham eased to a win without ever getting out of second gear, leading to Wolves fans calling for Pereira’s head.
Vitor Pereira, Wolves manager.
Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
Vitor Pereira only signed a new contract a few weeks ago
Leeds will have been expecting the decision. As things stand, the Midlands outfit are everyone’s favourites to be relegated, which would see the first non-promoted side relegated for the first time in three seasons.
Days before Leeds went to Wolves and won 3-1 thanks to goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach and Noah Okafor, Pereira had signed a new three-year deal. A show of faith from the Molineux board.
Interestingly, Pereira was even considered for the Leeds dugout after Jesse Marsch’s sacking back in February 2023, before Javi Gracia was eventually hired. Of course, Leeds were relegated that season.
But now, just a few weeks later and with clear discontent among fans and team, fans and manager and even players and manager, Wolves have made a decision. Ben Jacobs reports Pereira has been sacked.
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Leeds have benefited from Vitor Pereira’s dismal Wolves run
Pereira had his hands tied, ultimately. He arguably lost his two best players in the summer, with Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha leaving the club, and Wolves struggled to replace them adequately.
Pereira is a manager with huge experience. Porto, Fenerbahce, Olympiacos, Flamengo, Corinthians and Wolves all on his shortlist. A total of 14 different managerial spells across seven different countries.
Pereira’s Wolves numbers:
Games (PL) Wins Draws Losses PL points
38 (32) 14 6 18 35 (out of 96)
Leeds took advantage of a beleaguered Wolves side that needed a change. Now, Wolves are set to hire a new manager, and while Pereira may feel he couldn’t do much else, Leeds have at least secured that win.
For any incoming manager, Wolves is a massive task. Former manager Gary O’Neil is likely to be an option given he remains out of work, while Brendan Rodgers is out of work after resigning as Celtic gaffer.