Despite his love for Barcelona, Pereira has not always succeeded in making his teams play exciting football.
Instead he has identified with a simple approach, describing it as a ‘change formation’ which allows his teams to change the system during games.
However, this can sometimes prove too flexible, given that he has been criticized by his players for training one way and playing another.
“There was a situation (at Corinthians) where we played with five players at the back, which we had never practiced. One day, he said: ‘Look, I’ve realized this doesn’t work.’ But in the next match, we had five players again.
That wasn’t the main issue in his recent roles, though.
Pereira has admitted to a lack of communication skills, and that has been clear to the media and players.
He was heavily criticized – and later apologized – for bringing up his bank balance after being asked at a press conference if he was afraid of being fired.
“You’ve got to be kidding, mate,” he told a reporter in Brazil. “You’ve got to be teasing me with that question. At this point in my life, in my career, do you think I’m afraid of losing my job? Do you know how much money I’ve got in the bank, mate?
“My life is calm, I don’t need to worry… I’m here at Corinthians, and if it’s not Corinthians, it will be another club. Whenever I want.”
Pereira’s temper and willingness to speak his mind can also be a problem in the dressing room.
His explosive nature and ‘my way or the highway’ approach have not gone down well with some of his players in the past.
Pereira can be fierce and say whatever he thinks to say to anyone who needs to hear it. It is part of his personality he believes in his humble roots, but also a self-defense mechanism.
He has also said he doesn’t know how to deal with “spoiled players” – “rich kids who have never suffered, and they don’t know how to suffer in life”.
Several Corinthians players publicly welcomed his departure from the club after just 10 months in 2022.
“We were happy that he was leaving, I don’t have to lie,” winger Roger Guedes said.
Controlling his passionate nature will be essential if he is to succeed with Wolves on his first trip to the Premier League.
“Sometimes he increases the time he spends worrying about the team and the players,” said Quinta.
“I’ve told him this a few times: it’s important to step away from time to time, take a breather, and come back with full strength. He’s a coach who has an amazing heart.”
