Seven weeks ago, Vítor Pereira signed a new three-year deal with Wolves, confidently assuring fans that the team’s performance would soon improve. However, after a poor run of form and the looming threat of another defeat against Fulham, many supporters now believe his position is becoming untenable as results continue to decline.
The mood at Molineux is tense and unsettled. Fans are growing increasingly frustrated with Fosun, the club’s Chinese owners, who are accused of lacking a clear long-term plan. When chairman Jeff Shi announced Pereira’s contract extension, he claimed that “stability” was vital — a statement that felt oddly timed, given Wolves were still winless at the time.
That search for a league victory still goes on, but despite sitting bottom of the table and repeatedly conceding late goals, Pereira’s job does not appear to be under immediate threat. The club hierarchy wants to avoid repeating a pattern in which new managers are hired mid-season, temporarily steady the ship, and then falter at the start of the next campaign.
Pereira insists there’s no reason to panic. “I don’t feel the club is in crisis — only the results are,” he said on Friday. “Everyone here is committed, working hard for the players and the supporters. I understand the fans’ frustration, but when we start winning, everything will change. They must remember that this is our team, our players, and we need their support if we want to stay in the Premier League.”
After last weekend’s painful last-minute loss to Burnley, Pereira was seen passionately confronting angry supporters — a scene many took as a sign of a broken relationship. He later clarified that he wasn’t looking for a confrontation but simply urging unity. “I told them we have to fight together,” he explained. “I was just as frustrated, but I still felt a strong connection between the fans and the team. That’s what matters most.”
As usual, the head coach is bearing the brunt of the criticism, shielding those higher up from scrutiny. Many observers believe Wolves’ real problems lie beyond Pereira’s control.
A few years ago, Wolves’ recruitment — largely shaped by their ties with agent Jorge Mendes — was a key part of their success. They regularly unearthed hidden gems from abroad who went on to thrive in the Premier League. That model of buying low and selling high once worked, but in recent years, it has fallen apart.
Big-money departures worth nearly €400 million have not been replaced with comparable talent. Last summer alone, Matheus Cunha moved to Manchester United, Rayan Aït-Nouri joined Manchester City, Pedro Neto left for Chelsea, Max Kilman signed with West Ham, and earlier exits included Matheus Nunes, Rúben Neves, and Nathan Collins.
Pereira avoided reigniting discussions about Wolves’ difficult summer but hinted at his desire for attacking reinforcements in January — a sign he expects to remain in charge. Yet, he admitted the club’s limited finances may prevent major signings. “I don’t know if we have the funds for that kind of player, but yes, we need one or two,” he said.
For now, Pereira is focused on finding solutions. He spends long days at the training ground experimenting with tactics and team selections, though recent switches — including abandoning last season’s 3-4-3 setup — have yet to yield consistent results. More than tactical fixes, he knows restoring the players’ confidence is essential, and he continues to call on the fans to rally behind the team.
Known for his approachable, pub-going personality, Pereira has always embraced the club’s community spirit. His motto, “points then pints,” once captured that bond with supporters. But lately, he admits, his enthusiasm has waned. “I’m not an actor,” he said. “If I’m happy, I like to go for a beer. If I’m not, I stay home, trying to find solutions.”
He will be given more time to turn things around, but patience is wearing thin. Without a clear improvement soon, the goodwill he’s been afforded could quickly run out.