We bring you the full transcript of Vitor Pereira's press conference including team news and thoughts ahead of Wolves trip to Old Trafford
Vitor, good to see you. How’s your week been? Have you had the points, then the pints song, in your head every day?
It was a good week. A very good week. We relaxed a bit and kept working to improve the team.
How proud were you of that performance and how you felt on the day?
It was a special afternoon. The energy was fantastic. The connection with the supporters and the team was amazing. We could see the happiness on people’s faces. That’s why I like being with the people—to see that smile.
Another evening out for you?
Just a bit. Here, we can’t do much, just spend time with the supporters and enjoy a bit. Then we went home.
How did training look this week? You said relaxed, smiles on faces. Have you tried to ease the pressure on the players?
They’ve been under a lot of pressure this season and many questions about staying in the Premier League.
Last week, after the game against Ipswich, I felt the team was a bit relaxed. Just one day of training, we had a talk and corrected the feeling. This week, I didn’t feel that. The team is committed. They know we have a lot of work to do. The job isn’t finished. We have many points still to fight for. We’re ambitious. I believe we’ll compete in every game until the end.
That ambition—you said after the game you didn’t want to talk about feeling safe because that’s not why you came. Do you share that ambition with the players? Are many players aiming for bigger things?
Yes. I think we’ve built this spirit in the players. They take in a bit of the manager’s personality. I’m ambitious. I want more because I’m not satisfied. I believe we can improve every day with our work. I want to see better football because I appreciate good football.
We’re about to interview João Gomes. What have you seen in him since working together? His improvement, confidence, leadership?
Not just João. If I look at my players, they all have more confidence with the ball. We’re consistent when defending. We know exactly what to do. The team has made a step forward in tactical maturity. But we need to keep improving.
Injuries—can you update us on players who might be doubtful? Jean Ricner Bellegarde, how is he?
Bellegarde, Doherty, and Her-Chan are trying to come back. They don’t have serious injuries but are working to help in the game. We’ll see. We have one more training session tomorrow, and I must decide then.
Is Hee-Chan a new injury?
No. Even in the last game, he felt something in his muscle. At the end of the week, we decided to have him play, but he still feels it. The medical team is trying to help. We’ll see.
Pedro Lima, Sam Johnstone?
No issues with Pedro; he’s not training with the team yet but should return in a few days. Sam isn’t training with the team. He still has a small old injury. He’s trying to manage it, but we talked, and it’s better to clear the injury fully before coming back.
Manchester United? Did you watch their game last night?
Of course. A massive win. Wins like that build confidence. I believe we’ll face a more confident team. But, like I’ve said from the start, it’s about us. Not Manchester United, but how we do our work, keep our identity and ambition, believe in ourselves and our work, and compete for the three points.
You could finish above Manchester United and Tottenham this season. Is that an ambition?
No. The ambition is to do our best, fight for the three points every game, compete when defending and attacking, and respect our identity every time.
It will be a different atmosphere than last night. Watching that game, even though you weren’t involved, does it make you love football more and what it can do to you?
Football is a passion for me. I like good football, good players, and good games. Sometimes the game is one way, sometimes another. That’s why in one minute, everything can change. Last night, there were two Portuguese managers—very good managers. I know them well. It was nice to watch two Portuguese managers on the pitch, with great players and atmosphere, not knowing until the last minute who would win. That’s football. That’s passion. I don’t know any other sport like it. You can be the best team until the last minute and still lose.
Where did you watch the game, if you don’t mind?
There. Yes.
You really felt that?
Of course.
You mentioned Ruben Amorim—you know him well. He’s a talented manager, right?
He is. But when we come to this league, we face bigger problems. We need to find ways to handle those problems. That pushes us to improve. Amorim is talented but faces challenges that help him grow. That’s what the Premier League brings us.
Was that a late night for you? I heard the game finished around 11 p.m.
At Old Trafford, yes. It was fantastic. The traffic was a problem, but in the end, it was a great game. A proper football game, with all the emotion. I like matches like that.
Good luck this weekend.
Thank you.