AliousNearly two months have passed since Vitor Pereira took over from Gary O’Neil as Wolves’ head coach, and his tenure has already brought noticeable changes.
While Wolves remain just two points clear of the relegation zone, there’s been significant progress under Pereira’s leadership. The Portuguese manager has introduced a tactical approach that the players have embraced, helping to rejuvenate the form of individuals like Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Rodrigo Gomes, who previously struggled to make an impact.
On the pitch, Wolves’ performances have improved, with the team securing three clean sheets and earning crucial victories against Leicester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa. These results have boosted fans’ confidence in the club’s ability to maintain its Premier League status, with Pereira’s influence behind the scenes playing a key role in this transformation.
### **The Behind-the-Scenes Changes Driving Wolves’ Turnaround**
Pereira’s impact extends beyond tactics and matchdays. He has made subtle yet effective changes to the team’s culture and environment, which have significantly improved morale. According to *The Telegraph*, one of his first initiatives was to require all players to eat meals together in the club’s canteen—a practice reminiscent of Nuno Espirito Santo’s successful era at Molineux. This has helped foster unity within the squad.
Additionally, Pereira introduced pre-match overnight stays in hotels before home games. This strategy aims to strengthen team spirit and ensure better focus ahead of fixtures. These seemingly small adjustments have created a more cohesive and motivated group, evident in the team’s spirited 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, where the players displayed determination and passion that had been missing in the latter stages of O’Neil’s tenure.
### **Pereira vs. O’Neil: A Statistical Comparison**
At the time of O’Neil’s dismissal, some questioned the decision to replace him with Pereira, who had no prior Premier League experience. However, Pereira has quickly adapted to the demands of English football, winning over fans and making an immediate impact on the squad.
In fact, Pereira has already recorded more wins in just eight matches (three) than O’Neil managed in his first 16 games of the 2024/25 season (two). This improvement, coupled with the strategic deadline day signings of Nasser Djiga and Marshall Munetsi, has reignited hope that Wolves can avoid relegation.
If Pereira’s current win rate of 37.5% continues, it should be enough to keep Wolves in the Premier League. His fresh approach, both tactically and culturally, has breathed new life into the club—proving that the managerial gamble may well pay off.
Alious
