With the Premier League season almost wrapped up, Vitor Pereira will start to think about next term.
The Wolves manager arrived in December and made Molineux his home rapidly.
Wolves fans are admirers of Pereira, who has transformed the Old Gold’s fortune after a dire start to the campaign courtesy of Gary O’Neil.
Now that Wolves are almost mathematically safe from relegation, supporters can begin to envisage how next season could look, with it clear that the West Midlands side are in good hands with their Portuguese coach.
Premier League clubs appreciate Wolves starlet Mateus Mane
Aside from getting his squad in a better position in the Premier League table, Pereira is also eager to develop the academy.
Wolves have a poor record of promoting academy players to the first team, but it’s something Pereira’s willing to change, with a plan in place for one starlet in particular.
Mateus Mane is making waves at Wolves since signing for the club from Rochdale in 2024.
Earlier in the season, Pereira spoke highly of Mane and has since named the 17-year-old on the bench in the Premier League.
To get an understanding of how Wolves feel about the upcoming talent, Molineux News spoke to TBR’s Graeme Bailey, who gave us the lowdown.
“He’s a terrific player, Wolves beat a lot of clubs to get him from Rochdale,” Bailey said.
“There are a lot of clubs who like him, Premier League rivals who like him, but I believe he’s happy, he’s where he wants to be in terms of progress, I’m told.”
The transfer expert then thwarted the idea of interest developing into a premature exit for the teenager, revealing the Old Gold’s plan for the youngster.
“I fully expect him to have the chance. The way I’ve heard it described is that he will have the chance to stay close to the first team squad next season, it’ll be up to him to take it, they [Wolves] believe he can be [a first team player].”
What position does Mateus Mane play?
Amid Wolves’ high hopes for Mane, let’s see what the forward has been doing this season.
Playing either as a centre-forward or on the flank, Mane has earned high praise from academy coach Richard Walker due to his ability to rise above the rest.
In the U18 Premier League, the Portugal-born England U18 international has contributed to 10 goals in 14 appearances, scoring six times and assisting four.
Though the 17-year-old is yet to make his senior debut, he is playing above his age group, making his Premier League 2 debut for Wolves in April against Manchester United.
The exciting forward is certainly one for Wolves fans to watch ahead of pre-season, a period that could see Pereira hand his prospect a first chance to shine among the first team.