Sky Sports News understands that Vitor Pereira’s appointment as Wolves manager is safe for the time being, despite growing discontent among fans that erupted at Molineux after the 3-2 defeat to Burnley.
Pereira implored Wolves fans to stay with the team, who have fallen to the bottom of the Premier League after clashing with supporters at Molineux in the aftermath of Sunday’s defeat.
Wolves put in a spirited performance and goals from Jorgen Strand Larsen and Marshall Munetsi looked to have secured a draw, but Lyle Foster’s last-gasp winner broke Wolves’ hearts.
Boos rang out around Molineux as Wolves remained the only team in England’s top four divisions without a win, and Pereira was greeted with chants of “fired in the morning”, just a month after signing a three-year deal, before an uproar between the team and supporters.
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Watch for free: Premier League highlights from Wolves vs. Burnley
“I understand the frustration of the people and the supporters, but I have to say: if we fight together with them, we will win games, we will compete and we will achieve our goals. It would not be possible without them,” Pereira said at the post-match press conference.
“If we win two or three games in a row, things will change.
“Two months ago they sang my name because, along with what we achieved last season, we are playing in the Premier League and not in the Championship. Now they are singing my name to sack me.
“If I were a supporter, I would be proud of my team because they showed the spirit, mentality and ambition to win the game and worked hard, even if they were down 2-0 (after 30 minutes).”
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Marshall Munetsi equalized for Wolves just before half-time.
“If you fight for 90 minutes to win a game and at the last moment when the other team is trying to draw, you waste time trying to finish the game and defend with a low block to protect the result, it’s not fair even if you draw.
“We deserved the three points, but this is football. I’m proud of the players because they showed in a very difficult situation the mentality, the team spirit and the organization to work until the last moment to win the game.”
Pereira isn’t worried about his future
Pereira, whose position is not under immediate threat, remained steadfast when asked about his future even after nine Premier League games without a win.
In response, the player said: “I’m not worried. It’s not about me. It’s about the club, the team and the players. My job is to help them get mentally strong again for the next fight.”
Pereira reacts to fans after defeat to Burnley
“Sometimes in life you have very difficult moments where you have to suffer. What I saw in the dressing room was the team suffering. They did everything to get more out of this game.
“What I told them was today is the day we have to suffer, but tomorrow we have to get back up and ready to fight. That’s the mentality of this group. They deserve more than what we’re getting in this league.”
“I believe that a win can change everything and I feel that today was that day, but in the end it wasn’t. We have to be ready to fight again and we need our supporters again.”
Strand Larsen: we need to accept fans’ complaints
Wolves players speaking to fans after the final whistle
Unlike the head coach, Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen shared the fans’ frustration and admitted that the team had not been good enough so far this season.
“Nothing happened. As a player sometimes you have to accept the complaints of the fans. You have to listen,” the Norwegian told Sky Sports.
“I’ve been in this situation before. The only way to get out of this is to try to make some connections. I understand the frustration for me and my teammates.
“We are really sad at this moment. We were unlucky, but at the same time we weren’t good enough. We almost conceded a goal in the first half and it completely ruined the game.
“We’re not the same as last year. We’re trying to get back there as soon as possible. We just listened. Now we want to put it behind us and try to win the next game.”
Kara: Passion is growing.
Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports:
“Whether you win or lose, you should always show respect to your supporters by going to their side, but incidents like this are increasing now and all that happens within hours is the players apologizing on social media. “Wolves in the Carabao Cup. That was the case with Jarrod Bowen at West Ham in the defeat. Yes, players should go to the side, but they shouldn’t stay there for too long. Passions are running high among everyone, especially those in the stands, and that’s what leads to incidents like this.”
