FootyChatter.com

By DOMINIC HOGAN Published: 21: 33 AEDT, 17 December 2024 | Updated: 23: 05 AEDT, 17 December 2024 View comments Wolves have agreed a deal for Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira to become their new head coach The Premier League strugglers parted ways with Gary O'Neil at the weekend, with the club having suffered a rotten run of form at the start of the campaign to leave them in the bottom three.   Wolves are currently in 19th, ahead of only Southampton in the league standings, with just two wins, three draws and 11 defeats after 16 outings.   Their goal difference of -16 is second only to that of the Saints, who also sacked their manager Russell Martin at the weekend following a 5-0 drubbing by Tottenham.    In Pereira, the Midlands-based outfit have reportedly found a manager with vast experience managing all over the world.   The 56-year-old has had stints in his home country of Portugal with FC Porto and Santa Clara, as well as Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Germany, Turkey and China. Wolves have reportedly agreed a deal for Vitor Pereira to become their new head coach Former boss Gary O'Neil was sacked following a disappointing defeat by Ipswich on Saturday Pereira is one of the most well-traveled coaches on the market with stints in seven countries Though he has never worked in England, Pereira has won league titles with European giants FC Porto and Olympiacos. Pereira, who speaks excellent English, also prefers to work with a back three, which would make him a good fit for this Wolves squad. It is Wolves’ first Portuguese appointment since Bruno Lage replaced Nuno Espírito Santo in 2021.   They have had close ties with Portugal in the last decade thanks to strong relations between owners Fosun and super-agent Jorge Mendes, though it is unclear whether Mendes has played a part in this deal. Wolves are expected to make funds available in January for new players, with a centre-back top of their list or priorities. Only last Thursday, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi wrote an article in the local newspaper in which he gave backing to O’Neil. But the manner of the defeat to Ipswich convinced the hierarchy change was needed. Wolves conceded from a set piece in stoppage time - their 16th from a dead ball this term - and Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri were involved in scuffles after the final whistle. Ait-Nouri was shown a second yellow card and will miss Sunday’s trip to fellow strugglers Leicester.   Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group