VITOR PEREIRA’S PRESS CONFERENCE: WOLVES V BRENTFORD

How are you feeling ahead of the final match at home?

Trying to play a good game, to win, and at the end to be proud of our work on the pitch and make the supporters proud.

How proud are you of the efforts of everyone here at the club since you became head coach?

I know the last few results haven’t gone your way, but overall it looks really impressive.

I feel proud of everyone because it’s teamwork. I’m proud of the players, the staff, everyone at the club. We struggled a lot to finish the season and keep our spot in the Premier League. I’m very proud of our supporters because, in my opinion, the work we did together was incredible.

Speaking of the staff, it was nice for them to have a party.

Yes, it was nice. I feel like part of a big family. They make me feel included.

I know you like music, but I didn’t know you were a DJ as well.

No, no, no. I like music and I like to dance.

Was that a chance to get to know people better?

Yes, exactly. Many times we don’t have time to meet, and yesterday I realised how many people work behind the scenes to help us. I’m very grateful to them.

Have you been able to process the Crystal Palace result and performance? I know you were disappointed after the game, but have you moved past it now?

No, because in that game we made many mistakes. Not usual mistakes. To compete in this league, you must defend well with good organisation. We can’t lose our balance when we have the ball because they are dangerous on the counterattack. Brentford is a dangerous team on the counterattack too. We can’t lose duels. We have to play at our best level to face teams like this.

Can I ask about your team news ahead of the game? Any new injuries?

Larsen is doubtful. We’ll see tomorrow how he’s feeling. That’s the only doubt.

Anyone else?

No.

After the final game, what do the next few days look like before you fly off and take a well-deserved holiday?

My focus is on the game because the last impression is important for us. The team deserves to finish with a win. We must show our quality and be mentally ready on the pitch. Sometimes the mind is already on the holidays because the players need rest. Many go to the national team, so there’s a short break after the last game. We need one more effort to compete and try to get three points.

Brentford could still finish eighth and qualify for Europe, so you’re facing another hungry team.

Of course. The last four teams are fighting for European spots. They are strong and consistent. Their manager has worked with the players at the club for a long time. But it’s not about them, it’s about us.

Next season, this is the competition you want to be part of, right? Would it have helped to have something left to fight for in these last few weeks to keep motivation high?

We tried our best, but it’s not easy. I know it’s important for the club because of the money involved. I understand the club needs money to invest in new players. But for us, it’s about competing and getting the best position possible in the league. This is for the team—to compete for the best spot.

You mentioned new players arriving and players leaving. With this being the last game, many clubs use the chance to thank players who might be leaving and to say goodbye to the fans. Will that happen with any of your players this Sunday?

To be honest, I don’t know which players will leave. I’m waiting to find out. But we play at home in front of our supporters. It’s a good time to thank them because they were fantastic in the last month. They helped us turn around a tough situation. Now, it’s the last game, and we’ll try our best to win and thank them.

How important is it for you and the club to get quick decisions from players who might stay or go? We’re talking about Samedo and Sarabia, and we don’t know what’s happening with Cunha. You’ll need clarity soon.

We need to start working as soon as possible with a clear picture of the squad. If we lose quality players, and I don’t know yet if we will, we have to replace them. We want to compete next season and do better than this year.

You’ve worked with Matt Hobbs and the recruitment team, and we saw how well January signings worked. Are you happy they’re ready if you have to look for replacements?

Now is the time to understand the players we need to balance the squad. Then we start looking for players. They’ve done good work during the season, suggesting players for me and my staff to check. In the end, we decide. It’s not about money—I don’t handle that—but about player quality.

That worked well in January.

You said the club feels like a family, and you seem to appreciate that. That’s a big selling point when you and Matt Hobbs are bringing new players. Can you speak to that family aspect?

It’s important to bring players who want to come and live in Wolverhampton. They want to play in the best league in the world. We want players with character and personality who fit into a simple but beautiful city with great nature and tough competition.

This league is, in my opinion, the best in the world. We want players who really want to come, like me.

Are you good at persuading them?

Many players want to come to the Premier League. Players who have worked with me, agents—they’re sending many players. It shows they want to come.

But they probably send those players to other Premier League clubs too, right?

Yes, but we need players hungry to play here and achieve something special. Everything you do in this league has a huge impact worldwide. That’s what attracts players—the league and the people here. I like the people here. They are a bit like me—simple. I like simple people.