Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Vítor Pereira has hit back at Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola following Wolves’ dramatic FA Cup exit, while also taking a swipe at former Wolves manager Gary O’Neil. The fiery exchange comes after Bournemouth edged out Wolves in a tense penalty shootout, advancing to the quarter-finals at Molineux.
Bournemouth Beat 10-Man Wolves in FA Cup Thriller
Bournemouth secured their place in the last eight of the FA Cup with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. The game saw moments of high drama, including a stunning long-range goal from Wolves’ Matheus Cunha. However, the Brazilian forward’s night turned sour after he was sent off for violent conduct, reducing Wolves to ten men in extra time.
Iraola, speaking after the match, claimed that Bournemouth was the “only team trying to win the game,” implying that Wolves were overly defensive. His comments sparked an immediate response from Pereira, who defended his team’s performance and criticized Iraola for disrespecting Wolves’ efforts.
Pereira Fires Back at Iraola
Pereira did not hold back in his post-match press conference, rejecting Iraola’s claims and accusing him of being dismissive of Wolves’ resilience.
“It’s easy to talk when you’re playing with 11 men against 10 for a period,” Pereira said. “We fought until the last moment. My players gave everything, and if anyone thinks we weren’t trying to win, they either didn’t watch the game or don’t understand football. We were disciplined, we defended well when needed, and we had chances to win before the penalties.”
Pereira also questioned some of the refereeing decisions, particularly Cunha’s red card, which he felt was harsh.
“Decisions like that change games,” he added. “We were in control before that moment. It’s frustrating, but I am proud of how my team handled the adversity.”
Pereira Takes a Dig at Former Wolves Boss Gary O’Neil
The Wolves manager didn’t stop at Iraola; he also appeared to take a swipe at his predecessor, Gary O’Neil, who was dismissed in December 2024 after a string of poor performances. O’Neil, who is now managing in the Championship, was often criticized for Wolves’ lack of tactical organization and discipline, two aspects Pereira has worked to improve since his arrival.
“Since I took over, we’ve shown a level of discipline and structure that maybe wasn’t there before,” Pereira said. “This club needed direction, and we are building something. Nights like this hurt, but they show the fight we have now. We are moving forward.”
His comments suggest he believes Wolves are in better hands under his leadership than they were under O’Neil, adding an extra layer of controversy to his remarks.
FA Cup Exit Adds Pressure on Wolves’ Season
With Wolves now out of the FA Cup, their focus shifts back to the Premier League, where they are battling to avoid being dragged into a relegation fight. Pereira’s strong defense of his players indicates he is determined to instill a winning mentality, even in the face of adversity.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, continue their impressive cup run and will look to make history by reaching the semi-finals. Iraola’s men will now await their next opponent in the FA Cup quarter-finals, while Wolves must regroup for their upcoming league fixtures.
Pereira’s fiery response has certainly added an extra edge to Wolves’ rivalry with Bournemouth, and it remains to be seen if his comments will ignite further tensions when the teams meet again in the Premier League later this season.
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