Wolverhampton Wanderers have officially parted ways with head coach Vitor Pereira, just weeks after handing the Portuguese manager a new three-year contract. The decision follows a disastrous start to the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, which sees Wolves rooted to the bottom of the table without a single league victory.
Pereira’s final game in charge was a decisive 3-0 loss to Fulham on Saturday, a defeat that confirmed the club’s grim standing: two points from 10 games, eight losses, and the unwanted title of being the only winless side across England’s top four divisions. Wolves have scored only seven goals while conceding a league-high 22.
The club, which stated that results and performances had “fallen below acceptable standards,” was compelled to act despite executive chairman Jeff Shi’s desire for stability. Pereira, who successfully steered the club away from relegation trouble last season, ultimately paid the price for a rapid and alarming collapse in form.
The Search Begins: Candidates to Replace Pereira
The priority for the Molineux hierarchy is to find a leader capable of engineering an immediate turnaround and securing the club’s Premier League status. Two familiar names have emerged as strong, immediate targets in the search for the new Wolves Head Coach:
Gary O’Neil: In a remarkable turn of events, O’Neil is being seriously considered for a shock return. He was the man Pereira replaced in December 2024. O’Neil guided Wolves to a 14th-place finish in his only full season and remains well-regarded by some within the club despite his previous dismissal.
Rob Edwards: A former Wolves player and youth coach, Edwards has strong Molineux ties and a proven track record. He guided Luton Town to promotion in 2023 and is currently doing well at Middlesbrough in the Championship. Appointing Edwards would require Wolves to negotiate compensation due to his current contract.
High-Profile Outsiders in the Mix
In addition to the immediate favorites, several high-profile names are being linked with the vacancy, suggesting the club may be exploring options with significant Premier League or European pedigree:
Erik ten Hag: The former Manchester United manager, recently dismissed from Bayer Leverkusen, is considered an early bookmakers’ favourite.
Brendan Rodgers: Available after leaving Celtic, Rodgers has a strong Premier League resume, including saving Leicester City from relegation.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are also names reportedly in the discussion.
Wolves face a challenging run of fixtures, starting with an away trip to Chelsea this weekend, meaning the new Wolves Head Coach will have a baptism of fire. Under-21 coach James Collins and Under-18 coach Richard Walker will oversee training until a permanent appointment is made.
Who among the candidates—O’Neil, Edwards, or a high-profile outsider—do you think is the best fit for the Wolves job right now?
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