Who will take charge of Wolves against Chelsea today after Vitor Pereira sacking?

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Evening Standard

·8. November 2025

Who will take charge of Wolves against Chelsea today after Vitor Pereira sacking?

Vitor Pereira took just two points from his first ten Premier League outings this season

Wolves are yet to confirm a permanent replacement for Vitor Pereira after the Portuguese manager was sacked ahead of Saturday’s trip to face Chelsea.

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Pereira signed a new three-year contract in September, but was relieved of his duties after a 3-0 defeat by Fulham left Wolves winless in their first ten Premier League matches of the season.

A club statement confirming the decision said "results and performances this term have fallen below acceptable standards and as a result a change in leadership was deemed necessary.”

Wolves are not rushing to appoint his successor ahead of this weekend’s rematch with Chelsea, who knocked the Midlands club out of the Carabao Cup in a seven-goal thriller last month.

They were reported by the BBC to be in talks with Gary O’Neil, who they had sacked last December, but he pulled out of the running with talks at an advanced stage.

With no permanent appointment yet made, though, two Wolves academy coaches will take to the dugout at Stamford Bridge.

After being called up to lead training following Pereira’s departure, James Collins will take charge in west London.

Speaking on Friday afternoon, Collins said: "What I have been told is that I'll be taking the game this weekend. The likelihood is that it will be one, one week only, but you never know in football.

“Last time we were told it could be a week or two, and it ended up being six. My focus is on the team and our week's work."

The likelihood is that it will be one, one week only, but you never know in football

James Collins

Collins, a former player with Crewe Alexandra and Kidderminster Harriers, heads up Wolves’ Under-21 side.

Under Collins' leadership, Wolves’ U21s currently sit 8th in Premier League 2, with four wins from seven matches played. They have also bested PSV Eindhoven and drawn with RB Leipzig in the Premier League International Cup, a continental youth tournament.