Wolverhampton Wanderers face a defining decision in their Premier League season: whether to sack under-fire manager Vítor Pereira. The Portuguese coach is under immense pressure after a poor start that has left Wolves bottom of the table, and chants of “sacked in the morning” rang around Molineux after Sunday’s defeat to Burnley.
Now, with Brendan Rodgers having left Celtic, rumours are growing that the former Liverpool boss could be lined up as a replacement. But according to financial experts, dismissing Pereira would come with significant cost — though the price of doing nothing might be even higher.
What happens financially if Wolves sack Vítor Pereira?
Speaking to TBR Football, Head of Football Finance and Governance Adam Williams broke down the numbers behind a potential managerial change. He revealed that while Wolves would face compensation costs if they dismissed Pereira, contractual safeguards may reduce the blow.
“Typically, you pay out the remaining value of the contract. Because he’s only recently signed a three-year deal, clearly that’s not ideal. But the exception is if there was a break clause in his contract that stipulates a lower fee if his deal is terminated within a certain time frame, or if certain objectives aren’t met.” — Adam Williams, via TBR Football
Williams added that he’s heard “there are terms that will protect Wolves here,” meaning the club might avoid paying out the full contract value.
Depending on the termination structure, Wolves could either continue to pay Pereira on a weekly basis or take an immediate financial hit — both of which would still count as an exceptional expense in the club’s accounts for PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) purposes.
What if Brendan Rodgers replaces him?
With Rodgers now a free agent after leaving Celtic, Wolves would not need to pay a release fee — but there would still be onboarding costs and salary negotiations to consider.
“Because Rodgers is unemployed, they won’t have to pay anything for him besides a signing-on bonus. We don’t know what wages Vítor Pereira was on, but Wolves’ overall wage bill was £142m in their last accounts. Based on industry averages, I’d estimate Pereira is on something like £3m annually. That’s probably a benchmark for compensation.” — Adam Williams, via TBR Football
Williams added that Wolves would also need to write off the remaining amortised value of the £800,000 paid to release Pereira from his previous club — along with potential costs of replacing his backroom team.
“In total, I’d estimate the figure somewhere around £4m – but that’s an educated guess,” he said.
The £100m Premier League dilemma
Ultimately, Wolves’ decision could hinge on a far bigger financial calculation: the cost of relegation. Williams explained that each place in the Premier League table is worth around £2–3 million, while the gap between survival and the Championship can exceed £100 million when broadcast and sponsorship income are factored in.
“If it’s the difference between staying up and being relegated, then it’s a £100m-plus decision, depending on how they would fare under parachute payments.” — Adam Williams, via TBR Football
That reality leaves Wolves with a classic football conundrum — pay now, or pay far more later. If the board believes Rodgers or another candidate could turn results around, the financial gamble might be justified.
Our View
In our view, Wolves’ hierarchy are facing one of the Premier League’s toughest mid-season decisions. While a £4m payout isn’t insignificant, it pales in comparison to the catastrophic financial hit that would come with relegation. The loss of broadcast revenue, sponsorship value, and top-flight exposure could set the club back years.
At the same time, replacing Pereira too early carries its own risks. Rodgers would inherit a struggling squad low on confidence and cohesion. Stability has value — but not if it’s leading the team off a cliff.
Key Insights
- Wolves face growing pressure after dropping to the bottom of the Premier League.
- Sacking Vítor Pereira could cost around £4m in compensation and contract write-offs.
- Brendan Rodgers, now a free agent, is being linked as a potential replacement.
- Each Premier League place is worth £2–3m; relegation could cost over £100m.
- Financial safeguards may limit Wolves’ payout if they act early.
What’s Next
Wolves play away at Fulham on 1 November 2025 in what could be a decisive fixture for Pereira’s future. Another defeat could push the board closer to pulling the trigger and fast-tracking talks with Rodgers.
Whether Wolves choose loyalty or a reset, the numbers make one thing clear — the wrong decision could define their financial and footballing future.
👉 Should Wolves gamble £4m to save a potential £100m by sacking Vítor Pereira?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 28 Oct 2025 15:59
What would change? They've just give him a new contract, despite that, look at West Ham and Nottingham, how are they doing after changing managers?
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *