Vitor Pereira bids fond farewell to Al Shabab | OneFootball

Vitor Pereira has expressed his gratitude to Al Shabab following his decision to leave the Roshn Saudi League for an anticipated move to the English Premier League.

Pereira, 56, called time on his 10-month tenure at the capital club on Wednesday, with the understanding he will soon be appointed manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Posting on his Instagram account, Pereira wrote: “The time has come to say goodbye to Al Shabab, every day here has been a lesson. Every challenge, an opportunity to grow. Even though the passage was short, we achieved important goals and milestones, overcame obstacles and created memories that will never fade.

“On behalf of myself and my coaching staff, I sincerely thank the players, the staff, the managers and the fans, who have always supported us unconditionally. I take with me the pride of having been part of this club and the certainty that I gave everything, every day!

“Special thanks to [Al Shabab] president [Mohammed Al Munajem] for the friendship, respect and gratitude you have always shown us throughout this journey. This is not only a farewell, but also a reflection on the importance of each step on our path. Now, it's time to look to the future, always with gratitude for what the past has given me.

"Thank you, Al Shabab! I WISH the club much success for the rest of the season!"

Pereira, who in the past also managed fellow RSL outfit Al Ahli, was installed at Al Shabab in February of this year, with the Riyadh side sitting 11th in the RSL after 19 rounds. He represented their third manager of the season.

However, the Portuguese tactician proved a hit, guiding the club to an eighth-placed finish. He departs with Al Shabab sixth in the 2024-25 RSL having won six of their 13 matches.

In a statement on their official X account, Al Shabab said Pereira had made the decision to leave “despite the management’s efforts” for him to continue. The club added that they have already begun the search for Pereira’s replacement and are “studying the files of a number of coaches”.