Pereira only signed a new three-year deal 45 days ago after guiding Wolves to safety last season.

He replaced Gary O'Neil last December - O'Neil having presided over another 10-game winless start - and oversaw a six-match winning streak between March and April. It was the club's best top-flight run since 1970.

It looked like a perfect match - Pereira nominated for Premier League manager of the year - but cracks started to appear in the summer, which grew to a point where Pereira now regrets not walking away from Molineux at the start of the season.

The former Porto manager, who won the Portuguese title twice, wanted to continue last season's success after finishing 17 points above the relegation zone in 16th.

The draw to do that was too big, yet he was unhappy with the planning over transfers and Wolves signed five senior players, spending around £100m, but none had Premier League experience and Pereira was disappointed not to land first-choice targets.

He ultimately sanctioned those who did arrive though, including striker Tolu Arokodare, and they were generally his picks, including driving the signing of winger Jhon Arias....