Inigo Perez, who currently manages La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, is the latest name “under consideration” by Wolverhampton Wanderers to fill their current vacancy in the dugout.
After picking up just two points from an available 30 in their opening 10 Premier League games, Vitor Pereira was dismissed from his post as manager. Wolves have determined who will take interim charge of the club against Chelsea on Saturday, but will no doubt hope for a swift appointment as James Collins took press conference duties on Friday.
Unsurprisingly, a number of managers have been linked with Wolves and it will take a gargantuan effort to lift the Old Gold out of their current slump. Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards appears to be their preferred choice, although Boro are hesitant to let go of the head coach who, hired last summer, has made a strong start at the Riverside Stadium.
Reports from Spain, however, have indicated that Wolves were looking to options from abroad to replace Pereira.
Wolves keen on Perez of Rayo Vallecano
Radio Marca, as per Sport Witness, have stated that Inigo Perez has “received calls from Wolves” about becoming their next manager. A former midfielder, Perez spent a season as Rayo Vallecano’s assistant manager under Andoni Iraola, who is now doing brilliant things with Bournemouth.
Returning to the club in 2024 as manager, Perez guided Vallecano to Conference League football through their eighth-placed finish in La Liga last season. The club are unbeaten in Europe after three matches and with 11 league games played, are 10th in the table.
Perez has since acknowledged that he understands comparisons between Iraola, himself and the way their teams play, a brand of football that is clearly effective.
Interest in Perez is understandable, though Diario de Navarra, once again as per Sport Witness, have claimed that Perez “wants to stay at Rayo Vallecano until the end of this season.” As such, he has “rejected the offers” he has received from Wolves and other interested parties.
It feels imperative that Wolves, who are still without a league win this season, soon find a replacement for Pereira, given the predicament they find themselves in. Perez, however, will seemingly not be that man.
If Perez continues to impress as he has done during his reign so far, then he may soon follow Iraola to the Premier League. It would appear that, for now, Wolves will have to turn to an alternative target.
