New Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira is confident he can steer the Premier League strugglers to safety.
The Portuguese coach was appointed as Gary O’Neil’s successor on Thursday, with the Midlands club currently five points from safety in 19th place.
Pereira joins from Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab on an 18-month contract, with Wolves reportedly having to pay an £825,000 severance payment.
His first game as manager is against Leicester on Sunday and the 56-year-old is relishing the chance to preserve Wolves’ Premier League status.
“Of course it’s a responsibility, but a good responsibility.
“Now is the time to give them confidence and guide them like a tactical GPS. To guide them in the same direction, to connect them and to face them with confidence, to play with courage.
“I studied before I took the job. Of course we need to improve some aspects of the game. But we have good players, a player with confidence can do many things, he can change everything.
“My idea is to create an identity, a tactical identity. In the first training session we started working on this identity, this style of play.”
Welcome to Wolves, Vitor 🤝
– Wolves (@Wolves) December 19, 2024
Premier League a big draw
Pereira will have his hands full trying to get Wolves to safety as the club have lost 11 of their 16 league games so far and each of their last four games.
And the former Porto boss admitted the opportunity to play in the Premier League was a big attraction.
On why he was attracted to the job at Molineux, he added: “Because it’s the Premier League and in my opinion the Premier League is the best league in the world.” Something that was my goal for a long time.
“It means I’m in the right place with the best players, the league and the managers at the highest level. I’m very happy to be here.”
Cunha to play?
Pereira said he did not know whether key striker Matheus Cunha would be available after he was charged by the FA last week over an altercation with an Ipswich staff member.
On whether he would be there, Pereira added: “I’m not sure because we haven’t decided yet. He is an important player in our team. My first impression (of the team) is that I’m very happy.
“Of course every team can improve and we will try to improve. It is important to regain self-confidence and results.
“The results will give them confidence and motivation and clear ideas.”
Wolves January plans
Pereira did not rule out Wolves being active in the January transfer window but said he would first need time to assess the squad.
He said: “I think the club is open to it, but at this moment with new ideas it is important to understand the response of the players on the pitch.”
“It is important that I have at least a week to understand what I can do with our players, to study the personality and what we need. After that we will decide.”
Nelson captain
Pereira was asked whether Nelson Semedo would remain Wolves captain, 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’m trying to understand where the leadership is on the pitch.”
“It’s important on the pitch. At the moment I’m studying. It’s not time to make a decision, it’s time to study, get information. After that we will decide on the captain.”
