Pereira’s journey to Wolves

As Vitor Pereira is confirmed as Wolves’ new head coach, wolves.co.uk reflects on the Portuguese’s career in the dugout which has seen him oversee more than 600 senior matches.

A pictorial journey guides supporters through the highlights of the former Porto manager’s career so far, which has seen the 56-year-old travel from Portugal to Greece, China and Brazil among other destinations.

17th May 2011 | After a 10-year playing career, Pereira began his coaching journey with the youth set-ups of Padroense and Porto, before taking over at Sanjoanense, Espinho and Santa Clara. He returned to Porto in the summer of 2010 as assistant to Andre Villas-Boas.

25th August 2011 | On 21st June 2011, he was promoted to first-team manager, winning his debut match – and trophy – with a 2-1 victory over Vitoria in the Supertaca Candido de Oliveira.

25th August 2012 | Pereira led a Porto side which included the likes of Joao Moutinho to the league title in his first campaign in charge, as his team lost just once in the league throughout the 2011/12 season.

14th March 2013 | A second league title followed in his next season in charge, as Pereira went one better and led Porto to an undefeated campaign, winning 24 of their 30 league fixtures.

19th February 2015 | Following a spell with Saudi club Al Ahli, Pereira headed to Greece where he joined Olympiacos. During six months in Piraeus, the Portuguese led the club to the league and cup double.

22nd February 2015 | It was the fifth year in succession Olympiacos had claimed the Greek Super League title, while they also reached the last 32 of the Europa League.

28th July 2015 | Pereira added Turkey to the list of countries he’s managed in when he moved to Fenerbahce in summer 2015, leading the club to second in the Super Lig and the last 16 of the Europa League.

28th July 2015 | During his season at the helm of Fenerbahce, Pereira signed the likes of Robin van Persie, Simon Kjaer and Nani, but fell short by just five points to eventual champions Besiktas.

13th February 2018 | Following a stint in Germany with 1860 Munich, Pereira headed to China in December 2017 where he reunited with his former Porto striker, Hulk, as he replaced Villas-Boas once more at Shanghai SIPG.

28th November 2020 | In his debut campaign in Shanghai, Pereira claimed the club’s first ever league title, while following it up by claiming the Chinese FA Super Cup in 2019.

4th December 2020 | Pereira also led Shanghai to the 2019 and 2020 AFC Champions Leagues following their impressive league displays, falling in the quarter-finals and last 16 respectively.

10th April 2022 | A short stint back at Fenerbahce followed for Pereira in 2021 before heading to Brazil the subsequent year, initially joining Corinthians in February 2022 until the end of the year.

1st May 2022 | While at Corinthians, the team reached the knockout stages of the Brazilian Campeonato Paulista after topping the Group A standings, which ultimately ended in semi-final defeat to Sao Paulo.

17th May 2022 | Pereira also led Corinthians in the Copa Libertadores – the South American Champions League – as his side finished second in their group behind Argentinian giants Boca Juniors.

2nd August 2022 | The team eventually made it through to the quarter-finals of the competition where they came up against Joao Gomes’ Flamengo. However, it was the midfielder’s side who claimed the victory before going on to lift the trophy.

12th October 2022 | It was a similar story in the Copa do Brasil final later in 2022, as Corinthians and Flamengo went head-to-head, and once again it was Gomes’ side who claimed the win – this time on penalties.

7th February 2023 | Pereira crossed over to Flamengo the following January, where he led the team to the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco, before departing in April.

12th December 2023 | The Portuguese took part in a Masterclass for The Coaches Voice 12 months ago, where he outlined how his Porto team of 2011 to 2013 claimed successive Primeira Liga titles.

24th August 2024 | At the start of 2024, Pereira returned to the Saudi Pro League. He took charge of an Al Shabab side which was just four points above the relegation zone, before leading them to eighth place.

18th October 2024 | Pereira started the current season well with Al Shabab, with the Portuguese departing for the Premier League after his side won seven of their opening 12 matches.