New Wolves boss Pereira says he will guide Premier League strugglers to safety like ‘tactical GPS’

New Wolves boss Vitor Pereira is confident he can guide the Premier League strugglers to safety.

The Portuguese manager was named as Gary O’Neil’s successor on Thursday, with the Midlands club currently five points from safety in 19th.

Pereira joins from Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab on an 18-month contract, with Wolves reported to be paying £825,000 in compensation.

His first game in charge is against Leicester on Sunday and the 56-year-old is relishing the chance to preserve Wolves’ Premier League status.

“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.

“I studied before I accepted the job. Of course we need to improve some aspects of the game. But we have good players, a player with confidence can do a lot of things, it can change everything.

“My idea is to create an identity, a tactical identity. First training we started to work for this identity, the way of playing.”

Welcome to Wolves, Vitor 🤝

— Wolves (@Wolves) December 19, 2024

Premier League a big draw

Pereira has his work cut out to guide Wolves to safety, with the club losing 11 of their 16 league games so far and each of their last four games.

And the former Porto boss admitted the opportunity to manage in the Premier League was a big draw.

On why he was attracted by the Molineux job, he added: “Because it is the Premier League and in my opinion the Premier League is the best league in the world. Something that was my target for a long time.

“It means that I am in the right place with the top, high level players, league and managers. I am very happy to be here.”

Cunha to play?

Pereira said he did not know if key forward Matheus Cunha would be available after being charge by the FA for an altercation with an Ipswich staff member last week.

On whether he would feature, Pereira added: “I am not sure because we haven’t decided. He is an important player in our team. My first impression [of the squad] is I am very happy.

“Of course every team can improve and we will try and improve. It is important to get the confidence again and the results.

“The results will bring confidence and give them motivation and clear ideas.”

Wolves January plans

Pereira did not rule out Wolves being active in the January transfer window but said he would need time to assess the squad first.

He said: “I think the club is open to do it but in this moment it is important with new ideas to understand the answer of the players on the pitch.

“It is important I have at least one week to understand what I can do with our players, to study the personality and what we need. After this we will decide.”

Nelson captaincy

Pereira was asked whether Nelson Semedo would remain Wolves skipper, with O’Neil handing the armband to the right-back after stripping Mario Lemina of the captaincy.

He said: “Nelson is a very good boy, a good personality and now I am trying to understand where the leadership is on the pitch.

“It is important on the pitch. For now I am studying. It is not time to decide, it is time to study, to get information, After we will decide the captain.”