New Wolves boss Vitor Pereira says he is chasing his 14-year dream of working in the Premier League after several near misses with the Everton job.
The Portuguese coach arrived at Molineux on an 18-month contract on Thursday.
Pereira came close to joining the Toffees on three occasions but achieved his goal of success in the Premier League this week by replacing Gary O’Neil at Wolves, his 10th club in the last 11 years.
“Three times with the same club,” he said after leaving the Saudi Al-Shabab camp.
“Everton 14 years ago, before going to Brazil, I had three or four more meetings (in 2013). Two or three years ago, I had two or three meetings – that means that There were a lot of meetings with Everton!
“For the last 14 years of my career my goal was to come to England. To compete with the best coaches, that’s the seat I want to be in. I want to be in this league to compete, challenge myself and I’m ready.
“I remember my first step out of the country (Portugal) was to Saudi Arabia (Al-Ahli) 14 years ago. When I left Porto, my goal was a club in England.”
Pereira takes over with Wolves second and five points behind 17th-placed Leicester, who they face at the King Power Stadium on Sunday (2:00 p.m. GMT).
He said he never lost hope of making it in the Premier League.
“No, I’m a confident guy, I believe in my work and in my team,” he said. “From a young age, one day I decided I would be a coach. Then I thought I would be champion in Portugal and I was (with Porto).
“Then I wanted to be champion in another country and the team (Olympiakos) was champion. One day my goal was England. That means when you think a lot, even if you have to work, and work, and work and you have to go to Brazil, Turkey and Arabia, and you will be there.”
Wolves have lost 11 of their 16 games this season and have conceded a league-high 40 goals, although Pereira will not be rushing to do business in the January transfer window.
He said: “The club is willing to do it, but at the moment it is important to understand the players on the pitch.
“It’s important, I have a week to understand what I can do with the players, to study their personality and what we need. After that we will decide.”
But the 56-year-old wants to shape his team quickly and will look to guide them with his methods.
“It’s a responsibility but a good one. In my opinion, it’s about giving them confidence, guiding them, like a tactical GPS, pointing them in the same direction,” Pereira added.
“It is very important to link tactical quality and technical quality because I like my teams to play good football but with tactical organization and courage to play our game.”
Wolves expect Matheus Cunha to be available on Sunday after being accused by the Football Federation of misconduct, no final judgment is expected until next week.
