Fulham linked with Vitor Pereira as Alvaro Arbeloa faces growing pressure
Fulham are reportedly considering former Wolves and Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira as pressure mounts on Alvaro Arbeloa. Pereira, out of work since leaving Forest in February, has made clear he wants a Premier League return and is studying English football.
- Who: Vitor Pereira, former Wolves and Nottingham Forest manager, linked with Fulham.
- Current Fulham boss: Alvaro Arbeloa, under increasing pressure.
- Pereira's record at Forest: eight wins from 20 matches; 10-match unbeaten run between March and May; Premier League survival; Europa League semi-final.
- Pereira at Wolves: inherited relegation-zone side, guided them to 16th in 2024-25 with a six-match winning streak.
- Also in frame: Thomas Frank reportedly the favourite if Fulham act, with Hull City next.
What was said
"The Premier League is my focus, and I'm preparing as well as I can to come back, because that's where I want to be."
"It's where I feel challenged and motivated, and I'm waiting for the opportunity to return."
"Being away from football, I got to spend time with my family and recharge. Then I got back into studying the game: watching matches and analysing English football, which is the football that excites me the most."
"That's what I've done in my two experiences, at Wolves and at Forest. Both times we came into those clubs, we got results and hit our objectives while playing good football."
"I feel I have the ability and the tactical flexibility to adapt to the quality of the players I find when I arrive at a club."
"Then it's about building confidence. Making them believe in what we're doing and what we're building together. And bringing the fans together, getting them excited with good football."
Pereira's words are carefully chosen. He is not angling for jobs abroad or hedging about his preferences. Instead, he is positioning himself as a ready-made Premier League firefighter: available immediately, familiar with the league, and willing to work with the players already at a club.
The emphasis on tactical flexibility is telling. Clubs in mid-season trouble rarely have the luxury of a squad rebuild, so a coach who promises to adapt rather than impose is easier to sell to an ownership group. Pereira knows that survival and stability are the only currencies that matter in a relegation scrap.
The numbers
- Nottingham Forest: 8 wins from 20 matches under Pereira.
- Forest unbeaten run: 10 matches in all competitions between March and May.
- Forest achievements: Premier League survival and a Europa League semi-final.
- Wolves: guided the club from the relegation zone to 16th in 2024-25.
- Wolves winning streak: six matches at the business end of the season.
- Pereira's Forest tenure: four months after taking over from Sean Dyche in February.
Why Fulham might turn to Pereira
From a Fulham perspective, the appeal is obvious. Alvaro Arbeloa is under pressure and the club reportedly need clarity fast if results keep slipping. If the board decides to act, they will want a manager who can walk in and stabilise a situation quickly without demanding a radical overhaul. Pereira's English record suggests he can do exactly that.
At Wolves, he inherited a side in the relegation zone and steered them to 16th, helped by a six-match winning streak late in the season. At Nottingham Forest, he again took over a difficult context and hit the minimum target: survival, plus a run to the Europa League semi-final. Those are tangible achievements, even if both spells were short.
The concern is longevity. Pereira lasted only four months at Forest before being replaced by Oliver Glasner, despite delivering survival and a European semi-final. His Wolves stay was also relatively brief. Any club considering him is likely looking for immediate impact rather than a long-term project, and Fulham must decide whether that is enough.
The link also comes with a twist: Thomas Frank is reportedly the current favourite if Fulham choose to act, with Hull City looming in what is being framed as a must-win fixture. That suggests Pereira may be in the conversation rather than at the front of it. For Fulham supporters, the question is whether Pereira represents a proper plan or simply the next available firefighter.
Talking points
- Would Pereira's short-term impact be enough to keep Fulham up, or would his lack of longevity just delay a bigger rebuild?
- If Thomas Frank is the preferred candidate, why are Fulham even entertaining Pereira? Is this just agent talk to create competition?
- Pereira's Forest side reached a Europa League semi-final but still got replaced — does that record flatter him or show he was harshly treated?
- Arbeloa's future may hinge entirely on the Hull City result. Is it unfair to judge him on one fixture?
What happens next
Fulham's immediate focus is the upcoming fixture against Hull City, which is being framed as a must-win for Alvaro Arbeloa. If results continue to slide, the club could act quickly. Thomas Frank is reportedly the favourite, but Vitor Pereira's availability and public willingness to return make him a credible alternative if Fulham decide a change is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vitor Pereira being linked with the Fulham job?
Yes, according to talkSPORT, Pereira has been linked with Fulham as pressure builds on Alvaro Arbeloa. The report does not suggest anything is imminent or that Fulham have made a decision.
Who is the favourite to replace Alvaro Arbeloa at Fulham?
Thomas Frank is reportedly the current favourite if Fulham choose to act, with Hull City looming in a must-win fixture.
What did Vitor Pereira achieve at Nottingham Forest?
Pereira won eight of 20 matches, delivered a 10-match unbeaten run between March and May, secured Premier League survival and took Forest to a Europa League semi-final.
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