Wolverhampton Wanderers sack head coach Vitor Pereira following a winless start to the Premier League season with just two points from 10 games
LONDON: Wolverhampton Wanderers have sacked head coach Vitor Pereira after the club failed to win any of their opening 10 Premier League games.
Pereira had signed a new three-year contract in September after guiding the team to safety last season.
The club’s return of just two points this campaign now seriously threatens their eight-year stay in the top flight.
A 3-0 defeat at Fulham on Saturday left Wolves eight points from safety at the bottom of the table.
Wolves confirmed the decision in a statement announcing they had parted ways with their head coach.
The statement acknowledged Pereira’s immediate impact upon his arrival last December when he guided the team to a successful second half of the Premier League campaign.
However, the club stated that recent results and performances had fallen below acceptable standards.
The decision for a leadership change was therefore deemed necessary by the club’s hierarchy.
Pereira faced significant challenges after last season’s 16th-place finish, losing key players during the transfer window.
Talismanic forward Matheus Cunha departed for Manchester United while full-backs Rayan Ait-Nouri and Nelson Semedo joined Manchester City and Fenerbahce respectively.
Fan frustration has been building toward the club’s Chinese owners Fosun over perceived lack of squad investment.
Pereira had initially been a fan favourite, often celebrating victories with supporters in pubs near Molineux.
That relationship deteriorated this season, culminating in an angry confrontation with fans after last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Burnley.
Wolves executive chairman Jeff Shi expressed disappointment with the season’s start despite the club’s desire to give the coach time to find improvement.
Shi confirmed the club had reached a point where change became necessary for the team’s future. – AFP
