Pereira happy to achieve Premier League 'target' with Wolves

The 56-year-old, previously at Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab, was confirmed Thursday as the new boss at Molineux, replacing the sacked Gary O'Neil. He will take charge for the first time at fellow relegation candidates Leicester at the weekend.

Wolves are second-bottom of the Premier League, five points from safety, but former Porto and Olympiakos boss Pereira said the lure of the English top flight meant he had no hesitation in joining the Midlands club.

"Because it's (the) Premier League and in my opinion the Premier League is the best in the world," said Pereira when asked by reporters on Friday why he had made the move.

"It's something that was my target for a long time. It means that I'm in the right place, with top, high-level players, high-level managers, organisations and I'm very happy to be here."

Pereira, who won the Portuguese Primeira Liga title with Porto in 2012 and 2013 and the Greek Super League with Olympiakos in 2015, has a tough job on his hands at Molineux.

O'Neil was sacked after last week's 2-1 loss at home to Ipswich and defeat on Sunday would leave Wolves eight points adrift of Leicester, who are just outside the drop zone. The much-travelled Pereira's previous clubs as manager include 1860 Munich and Brazil's Corinthians and Flamengo.

"I have had different experiences with different levels of players and leagues but this is important," he said. "I'm sure everything will help me to do my job.

"Of course it is a responsibility, but a good responsibility. Now is the time to give confidence to them, to guide them like a tactical GPS. To put them in the same direction, to connect them and to face with confidence, to play with courage."

 

December 20, 2024