Vitor Pereira pleaded with Wolves fans to get behind the team after clashing with fans following their 3-2 defeat by Burnley.
Wolves produced a spirited performance and goals from Jorgen Strand Larsen and Marshall Munezzi looked to have secured a draw, but Lyle Foster’s late winner broke Wolves hearts and sent Pereira to defeat.
Boos rang out around Molineux as Wolves remained the only team without a win in England’s top four divisions and Pereira was greeted with chants of “sacked in the morning” before a furor broke out between the squad and the fans.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Wolves v Burnley in the Premier League
“We understand the frustration of the people and the fans, but what I have to say is, if we fight united with them, we can win and compete and achieve our goals – without them it’s impossible,” Pereira told a post-match press conference.
“If we win two or three games in a row, things will change.
“Two months ago they were chanting my name because together with the work we did last season we are competing in the Premier League, not the Championship. Now they are chanting my name to get me fired.
“If I was a fan, I feel proud of my team because they worked and showed the spirit, mentality and ambition to win, even losing 2-0 (after 30 minutes).”
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Marshall Munezzi equalized for Wolves before halftime
“If you fight for 90 minutes to win the game and in the last minute when the other team was trying to draw, you waste time to finish the game, defend in the low block to defend the result, even if we drew, it was not fair.
“We deserved three points, but that’s football. I’m proud of my players because in a very difficult moment they showed mentality, team spirit, organization to try to win until the last minute.”
Pereira is not worried about his future
Pereira was firm when asked about his future even after nine games without a win in the Premier League.
He replied: “I’m not worried. It’s not about me. It’s about the club, the team and the players. My job is to help them come back mentally strong for the next battle.”
Pereira reacts to the fans after the loss to Burnley
“Sometimes we have very difficult moments in life that we have to endure. What I saw in the dressing room was the suffering of the team. They did everything to get more out of this game.
“What I told them is today is the day we have to suffer, but tomorrow we have to get back up ready to fight. This is the mentality of this group. They deserve more than what we get in this league.”
“I believe that a win can change everything and I feel like today was that day, but in the end it wasn’t. We have to be ready to fight again and we need our supporters again.”
Strand Larsen: We have to accept the fans’ frustrations
Wolves players talk to fans after the final whistle
Unlike his manager, Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen he shared the fans’ frustrations and admitted that his team was not good enough this season.
“Nothing happened. Sometimes as players you have to accept the fans’ frustrations – you have to listen,” said the Norwegian Ski Sports.
“I’ve been in this before. The only way to get out of this is to try to create some kind of connection. I can understand the frustration with me, with my teammates.
“We’re really sad at the moment – we’re unlucky but at the same time we’re not good enough. We almost gave it away in the first half and completely blew the game away.”
“We weren’t the same as last year and we’re trying to get back there as soon as possible – it was just about listening. Now hopefully we can leave that behind and try to win the next game.”