Revealed: Wolves Manager was Sacked for ‘Wanting to Manage Liverpool’ | OneFootball

Wolves Boss Vitor Pereira’s Past Comments Add Extra Edge to Anfield Clash

Liverpool’s relentless fixture schedule continues this weekend with Wolves visiting Anfield in what promises to be an intriguing encounter. Arne Slot, despite the red card controversy in the Merseyside Derby, is set to lead the Reds from the touchline. However, the spotlight may well fall on his opposite number, Vitor Pereira, whose historical comments about Liverpool add a fascinating subplot.

Pereira’s Liverpool Ambition: A Statement That Sparked Outrage

Vitor Pereira’s managerial journey has taken him across continents, from Portugal to China, Greece, Turkey, and Brazil. However, it was during his short-lived stint at Corinthians in 2022 that he made headlines with an eyebrow-raising statement about Liverpool.

Speaking during a period of internal criticism at the Brazilian club, Pereira openly admitted his desire to one day manage the Reds. “If you ask me, I wanted to coach Liverpool, with all the respect I have for Corinthians,” he revealed, as reported by Globo. The candid nature of his remarks did not sit well with Corinthians’ passionate supporters, who felt disrespected by their manager’s overt expression of ambition elsewhere.

The fallout was swift and unforgiving. Brazilian journalist Menon dismissed Pereira’s aspirations, stating, “With a CV like that, he’ll never make it to Liverpool. Never.” For Corinthians fans, Pereira’s comments symbolised a lack of commitment, and his departure from the club followed not long after.

Photo: IMAGO

Wolves’ New Direction Under Pereira

Fast-forward to February 2025, and Pereira finds himself at the helm of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Despite his nomadic coaching career, the 56-year-old has made a solid start at Molineux, registering five wins in his first 10 Premier League matches.

His tactical flexibility and emphasis on positional discipline have brought a renewed sense of structure to Wolves. Nevertheless, the team’s inconsistency remains a concern, with recent defeats exposing their vulnerability when pressed high.

Anfield Awaits: A Different Kind of Liverpool Experience

As Pereira steps onto the Anfield touchline this Sunday, his past comments will undoubtedly resurface. While he once harboured dreams of managing Liverpool, this visit will offer him a different kind of experience – trying to mastermind an upset against a team led by Arne Slot.

Slot, who took charge last summer, has steadied Liverpool amid a transitional period, blending attacking flair with tactical pragmatism. Pereira’s task will be to disrupt the Reds’ rhythm while motivating his players to capitalise on any post-derby fatigue.

A Match Defined by Subplots

Beyond the tactical battle, the narrative surrounding Pereira’s past comments adds an extra layer to this fixture. From his public Liverpool ambitions to his struggles in Brazil, Pereira’s journey has been anything but conventional.

For Liverpool, the focus remains on maintaining momentum in their pursuit of silverware. For Wolves and Pereira, it’s about resilience, ambition, and perhaps a touch of redemption for a coach whose words once sparked outrage thousands of miles away.