James Collins is expected to take charge of Wolves' upcoming clash against Chelsea.placeholder image
James Collins is expected to take charge of Wolves' upcoming clash against Chelsea. | Getty Images
The latest on Wolves’ search for a manager as Sam Allardyce puts himself in contention for the vacancy
Premier League strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers are in no rush to name an immediate successor to Vitor Pereira ahead of this weekend’s highly-anticipated contest with Chelsea.
Pereira was appointed by Wolves as Gary O'Neil's replacement in December 2024 when they were second bottom and steered them to a 16th-placed finish, 17 points clear of the relegation zone. He coined the phrase ‘First the points, then the pints’ as he transformed the mood around the club during the second half of last season, but within 45 days of signing a contract extension was dismissed after a ten-match winless start to the campaign.
Wolves have just two points from their opening ten matches - a record no other team has ever stayed up on before as their eight-year status as a top-flight club continues to come under threat. The Old Gold were swiftly linked with a shock move to bring back O’Neil as news of Pereira’s exit unfolded but after initial talks, he decided to distance himself from the process by stating that the timing was wrong for him at this stage of his career.
The Premier League’s basement club are not expected to have a successor named in time for the Chelsea game this weekend as they look to avenge their 4-3 Carabao Cup exit. With that in mind, we take a look at who is likely to be in the dugout for Wolves in the interim and the latest on their managerial hunt.
Who will take charge of Wolves’ match against Chelsea?
Youth team manager James Collins is expected to take charge of Saturday’s game away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge unless a successor is named for Vitor Pereira in the coming days. Collins has been taking charge of first team training alongside Under-18 head coach Richard Walker, with all eight of Pereira's backroom staff leaving with the 57-year-old.
Collins has been at Wolves since January 2020. Prior to Wolves, he enjoyed a playing career with Crewe Alexander as a midfielder between 1997 and 2001 while also having spells with non-league sides such as Kidderminster Harriers and Northwich Victoria. He worked as Crewe Under-23 coach for a year between 2014 and 2015 before assuming the role as assistant coach under current Wolves scout Steve Davis, who was manager of Crewe at the time.
Collins oversees the Under-23 team and has previously worked with Hugo Bueno and Mateus Mané, who have progressed through the academy pathway.
Former West Brom boss emerges as surprise contender for Wolves vacancy
Ex-West Brom and England manager Sam Allardyce appears to have sent Premier League outfit Wolves a ‘come get me’ message as the Midlands outfit looks for a new head coach.
The 71-year-old, who has not been in the dugout for two and half years following relegation with Leeds United, admitted that he would be willing to help Wolves fight the drop in an interview with talkSPORT.
He said: "I suppose the amount of times I've said I might retire, I can never say never the amount of times I've actually bounced back. So, I think that possibly Wolves was one of my childhood favourite clubs that I started watching I suppose, but you know, who knows?
"I think I've heard they're looking for a younger coach anyway, so not too sure my time will ever come round again. But I sit and wait, you never know, I'm not actively searching, if it happens, it happens, if it doesn't, it doesn't. If you're in sunny Dubai like me, you often think, why would you bother?”
If Allardyce was to join Wolves it would be the 10th time that he’s managed a Premier League side. He’s best known for leading Bolton Wanderers to Europe during the mid-2000s, but is also credited with leading West Ham to promotion and steering the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Everton away from danger whilst in precarious positions.
He only lasted six months at Newcastle United during the 2007/08 season and also had half a year with West Brom during the 2020/21 campaign but was unable to rescue them from relegation despite building up a reputation for being a survival specialist. Other names under consideration for the Wolves vacancy are Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards, Ferencvárosi boss Robbie Keane and former FC Porto manager Vitor Bruno.
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