Jeff Shi sets 'difficult challenge' for new Wolves boss Vitor Pereira
Wolverhampton Wanderers chairman Jeff Shi has set a challenge for the newly-appointed head coach Vitor Pereira.
Wolves have announced the arrival of Pereira as the club’s new manager, taking over from Gary O’Neil who was sacked last Sunday.
Pereira, 56, joins on an 18-month contract after just under a year in the Saudi Pro League with Al Shabab. Wanderers agreed to pay just under £1million in compensation to secure the Portuguese ahead of the vital trip to Leicester City this weekend.
Matt Hobbs, Wolves’ sporting director, is delighted to welcome Pereira to Molineux. Reacting to the new manager’s appointment, Hobbs said: “Vitor is a highly experienced and accomplished head coach who has demonstrated his ability to succeed at the highest level. His personality, desire and leadership qualities stood out to us during this process, and we’re 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 - as we work together to strengthen the squad and achieve our collective goals.”
It’s an uphill task for Pereira to keep Wolves in the Premier League but that’s the undisputed target with relegation likely to result in his dismissal. Wanderers are currently 19th in the top flight on nine points after 16 matches. Leicester, this weekend’s opponents, are in 17th on 14 points.
Jeff Shi has outlined this very challenge for the new boss. “We are delighted to welcome Vitor Pereira to Wolves as the new head coach of our men’s first-team,” Shi said. “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.”