Former Wolves Boss Vitor Pereira Emerges as Frontrunner for Leicester City Vacancy
Leicester City have reportedly identified former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Vitor Pereira as a leading candidate to fill their managerial vacancy following the dismissal of Martí Cifuentes after just six months at the King Power Stadium helm.
Pereira's Availability Following Wolves Departure
The 57-year-old Portuguese manager has been without a club since November when he was relieved of his duties at Wolves following a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Fulham that left the club bottom of the Premier League table with only two points from their opening ten matches. Despite this disappointing conclusion to his tenure, Pereira's reputation remains intact among football circles.
Pereira's managerial career spans several prestigious clubs including Olympiacos, FC Porto, Flamengo, and Al Shabab, demonstrating his extensive experience across multiple footballing cultures. His time at Molineux lasted eleven months and began promisingly before deteriorating results led to his departure.
Mixed Success During Wolves Tenure
When Pereira took charge at Wolves in December 2024, he inherited a team languishing in 19th position with just nine points from sixteen matches. His debut match resulted in an impressive 3-0 victory over Leicester City, setting the tone for what would become a remarkable turnaround.
Under his guidance, Wolves achieved a commendable 16th place finish, accumulating thirty-three points from twenty-two matches. This period included a six-match winning streak – the club's best top-flight run since 1970 – showcasing Pereira's ability to inspire significant improvement.
The Portuguese manager successfully revitalised players including Jorgen Strand Larsen, Matheus Cunha, and Rayan Ait-Nouri while boosting the confidence of Brazilian midfielders Andre and Joao Gomes during the latter half of the campaign. His popularity among supporters was further enhanced by his tradition of celebrating victories with fans at local pubs.
Leicester City's Current Situation
Ironically, Wolves' survival under Pereira came at Leicester City's expense, with the Foxes suffering relegation under Ruud Van Nistelrooy with a meagre twenty-five points. Despite entering the Championship season as promotion favourites, Leicester have struggled to meet expectations.
Currently positioned 14th in the Championship table, the Foxes have managed only one victory in their previous five league matches. They find themselves six points adrift of the play-off positions and just nine points above the relegation zone, despite maintaining one of the division's largest wage budgets.
Other Contenders and Pereira's Credentials
While Pereira's availability, experience, and demonstrated passion make him an attractive candidate for the Leicester City hierarchy, he faces competition from several other managers. Russell Martin, Robbie Keane, and Lee Carsley have all been linked with the vacancy as the club seeks stability following Cifuentes' brief tenure.
Pereira's proven ability to orchestrate dramatic turnarounds and his familiarity with the challenges of English football could prove valuable assets as Leicester City attempt to revive their promotion ambitions during the remainder of the Championship season.
