WOLVES WIELD AXE AS VITOR SACKED AFTER WINLESS RUN

WOLVES have sacked Vitor Pereira weeks after he signed a new long-term contract.

- By JONATHAN VEAL

Pereira took over from Gary O'Neil last December and guided the Molineux club away from the relegation zone before he secured a 16th-placed finish after a notable double over Manchester United.

Matheus Cunha joined United in the summer and, despite a poor start to the new campaign, Pereira put pen to paper on a new deal on September 16.

However, results failed to improve and 57-year-old Pereira has been dismissed following Saturday's 3-0 loss at Fulham.

Executive chairman Jeff Shi said: "Vitor and his team worked tirelessly for Wolves and helped guide us through a challenging period last season, for which we are grateful.

"Unfortunately, the start to this season has been a disappointment and, despite our strong desire to give the head coach time and matches to find an improvement, we have reached a point where we must make a change.

"We thank Vitor and his staff for their efforts and wish them the very best for the future."

Youth-team coaches James Collins, who leads the Under-21 team, and Under-18 boss Richard Walker will take training while the club searches for Pereira's replacement.

Pereira and Wolves players clashed with home fans at Molineux last weekend after a 3-2 loss to Burnley.

It was followed by another defeat at Fulham, which Pereira described as the worst performance of his 38-game tenure.

That loss proved the final straw for Wolves and Pereira is on the hunt for another job, but his preference is to remain in the Premier League.

Pereira was informed yesterday morning that he would be relieved of his duties. He will not be paid the entire length of his contract, though, as a clause was inserted in his new deal which stipulated this.