When Vítor Pereira was appointed Wolverhampton Wanderers’ head coach in December 2024, the club faced a grim outlook. Struggling for form and flirting with the relegation zone, Wolves needed more than just a new face in the dugout—they needed a transformation.
In a few short months, Pereira has delivered precisely that, instilling a new tactical identity, lifting player performance, and guiding the team to safety with a style that suggests long-term progress is possible.
Solid Foundations: The Tactical Shift
Pereira’s first order of business was stabilizing a leaky defence. His solution was to introduce a back-three formation, offering the team a solid foundation. This switch allowed Wolves to better manage space in wide areas while also allowing wing-backs to support attacks – a hallmark of Pereira’s coaching style. It also enabled more defensive security, something Wolves had been sorely lacking earlier in the campaign.
Matt Doherty, often used in more advanced roles in the past, often from the bench, has slotted seamlessly into this new defensive setup, bringing experience and reliability.
Smarter Pressing, Sharper Play
One of the defining characteristics of Wolves under Pereira has been their improved pressing structure. Rather than a high-risk, high-line press, Pereira’s system emphasises a mid-block with specific pressing triggers. When the opposition misplaces a pass, takes a poor touch, or plays backward, Wolves pounce—not chaotically but in a coordinated, intelligent way. This controlled aggression has helped turn defence into attack quickly and effectively while maintaining the team’s compact shape and discipline.
Key Players Stepping Up
Several players have flourished under Pereira’s stewardship. Matheus Cunha has been a talismanic presence this season, scoring fifteen goals and providing four assists. His energy, creativity, and end product have made him one of the Premier League’s standout performers this season. His return from suspension this weekend is pivotal as Wolves face a testing run-in, with games against Spurs, Manchester United, and Manchester City coming up. Jørgen Strand Larsen has also stepped up in Cunha’s absence, hitting form at the perfect time.
The Norwegian striker scored four goals in his last three appearances, including a victory against Ipswich Town to take the club 12 points clear of the relegation zone and a brace in a crucial 2-1 win over Southampton. Strand Larsen’s mix of physicality and movement has been central to Wolves’ improved attacking threat.
In Midfield, João Gomes, who recently committed his future to Wolves, has been one of the most consistent performers under Pereira. Tireless in his pressing and composed on the ball, the Brazilian has become the team’s engine—breaking up play, driving forward in transition, and setting the tempo with his aggression and energy. He embodies the balance Pereira demands between discipline and intensity.
Another bright spark has been André, who was often left out of the team under Gary O’Neil. He has emerged as a promising creative outlet. Usually drifting between the lines, André brings vision, flair, and a willingness to take risks in the final third. His link-up play with Cunha and Strand Larsen has given Wolves a sharper attacking edge, and his confidence grows with each appearance.
Fresh Faces Making An Impact
In January additions, Marshal Munetsi and Emmanuel Agbadou have quietly brought balance and bite to a Wolves side that needs depth and resilience. Munetsi, a versatile Zimbabwean midfielder signed by Reims, brought physicality and energy to the forward line. His ability to win duels, intercept passes, and carry the ball forward has added a new dynamic to Wolves’ midfield, especially in games where breaking up play and regaining control has been crucial.
Meanwhile, Ivorian centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou has added height, strength, and aggression to the backline. Slotted into Pereira’s back-three, he’s proven reliable in aerial battles and composed under pressure. Both players represent shrewd, low-risk signings that have already begun paying off, giving Pereira the tools to rotate and adjust tactics as needed.
Climbling The Table: Results And Momentum
Perhaps the biggest compliment to Pereira’s impact is the turnaround in results. His reign began with a dominant 3-0 win over Leicester. Since then, the team has built on that momentum, with the club undefeated in their last four fixtures and three back-to-back wins. As of early April, Wolves sit on 32 points, 12 points clear of the relegation zone. Considering the club’s position just a few months ago, it is a remarkable turnaround.
The remaining fixtures are far from easy – trips to Manchester City and Manchester United and a visit from Spurs will test Wolves’ resolve. But under Pereira, the team looks organised, confident, and capable of taking points off anyone. If this form continues, the conversation around Wolves could soon shift from survival to ambition – and Vítor Pereira would be at the heart of that transformation.
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