Wolves fans were left surprised on Saturday after Vitor Pereira was linked with the Benfica job.
Fans are hoping to see Vitor Pereira backed in a big way this summer, after he guided Wolves to a 16th place finish in the Premier League table.
Pereira did a superb job after replacing Gary O’Neil back in December.
He made Wolves more solid at the back and was able to win games and get points on the board – and the connection he struck with the fans has been fantastic to see. Wolves fans have absolutely loved Pereira’s passion, and there have been Nuno Espirito Santo comparisons.
He’s been totally transformational – and given how well things have gone, there has actually been some concern.
Concern over the possibility that he would depart if Fosun do not give him the tools he needs to help the team kick on.
And on Saturday, fans were left worried when Pereira was linked with Benfica.
And now the truth has been shared.
Benfica deny Vitor Pereira links via official statement
It was a poor end to the season for Benfica under Bruno Lage.
Lage could have won the league title with Benfica, but they were edged out by Sporting CP on the final day.
They were then also beaten by Sporting CP in the Taca de Portugal final.
Supposedly, Benfica are not 100% set on Lage.
However, in what will come as a major relief to Wolves fans, they have distanced themselves from the links to Pereira, taking the unusual step of sharing the truth about the situation through an official statement.
A Bola reports they issued a statement on their website saying the Reds deny ‘vehemently that Vítor Pereira or any other coach are being considered to replace Bruno Lage’. They consider the claims to be ‘false information’ with the purpose of “destabilising the club and its professional football team’.
Wolves must not let history repeat itself
Thankfully there is nothing in the Benfica links to Pereira.
But certainly, Wolves officials must be wary of there being a repeat of the Julen Lopetegui situation a couple of years ago.
| Vitor Pereira as Wolves manager |
| Games managed – 25 |
| Wins – 12 |
| Draws – 3 |
| Losses – 10 |
| PL points taken – 39 |
The Spaniard famously walked away from Wolves just days before the new season started after growing frustrated over player recruitment. Lopetegui felt that Fosun had moved the goalposts on him a couple of times.
But that seems unlikely to happen with Pereira, especially since the recent restructure means he will have more of a say over transfers working closely with Jorge Mendes and Valdir Cardoso.
Simply put, Fosun must back Pereira to avoid any scenario of this hugely popular manager leaving the football club.