Manager Vitor Pereira defiant as Wolves' winless run deepens

Manager Vitor Pereira defiant as Wolves' winless run deepens

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Vitor Pereira has remained defiant despite growing pressure after his side's 3–2 defeat to Burnley at Molineux left them bottom of the Premier League and still searching for their first win of the season.

The late loss, sealed by Lyle Foster's 95th-minute strike, stretched Wolves' winless run to nine league matches and left them six points adrift of safety.

However, club sources have indicated that Pereira's position is not under immediate threat, with the board maintaining faith in the Portuguese coach who signed a new three-year deal in September.

Speaking after Sunday's defeat, Pereira admitted results have been hard to take but insisted he remains focused on turning things around.

"It's normal in football. If we win two or three games in a row, everything changes," Pereira said. "Two months ago, they sang my name for the work we did last season to stay in the Premier League. Now maybe they sing my name to sack me.

"I'm not worried about my job. It's about helping the players stay mentally strong for the next fight."

Wolves were undone by a combination of missed chances and defensive lapses against newly-promoted Burnley, who claimed their first away league victory of the season. Zian Flemming struck twice in the first half, converting from Quilindschy Hartman's crosses, before Wolves fought back through Jorgen Strand Larsen's penalty and Marshall Munetsi's header just before the break.

Both sides pushed for a late winner, but Burnley held their nerve as Hannibal Mejbri slipped Foster through on goal in stoppage time to snatch all three points.

Pereira now faces a crucial week that could shape his future. Wolves meet Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before a Premier League trip to Fulham at the start of November, followed by another clash with Chelsea in the league.

A first victory under Pereira could calm the storm, but another setback may intensify the pressure on the Wolves boss as his side fight to avoid being cut adrift at the bottom.

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