“Bellegarde Breaks Silence on Wolves’ Big Turnaround – Reveals What Changed After O’Neil Was Sacked!”

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde credits Vitor Pereira for Wolves’ resurgence

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was among several players who enjoyed a noticeable boost in form following Vitor Pereira’s appointment as Wolves’ head coach.

At the beginning of the 2024/25 season under Gary O’Neil, Bellegarde was deployed on the wing. However, Pereira’s arrival saw the Frenchman move into a more central, attacking role—a switch that coincided with Wolves’ climb away from the Premier League relegation zone.

With Joao Gomes and Andre forming a solid double pivot behind him, Bellegarde thrived in Pereira’s system, contributing to an impressive turnaround in form for the team.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Bellegarde reflected on the transformation:

> “I’m happy because I played a lot, but last season was very difficult because we didn’t win a lot of the first games. The end of the season was good for the team, and our mentality is better.”



Indeed, Pereira’s impact was evident in the numbers. Wolves went on a six-game winning run, setting new records and significantly improving their points tally.

2024/25 Stat Gary O’Neil Vitor Pereira

Matches Managed 16 22
Wins 2 10
Draws 3 3
Losses 11 9
Points Gained 9 33
Win Percentage 13% 45%


Bellegarde praised the Portuguese boss further:

> “Vitor has helped me a lot and given me more opportunities. When we knew Vitor was coming in, it felt like everyone had a chance to play—but you had to earn it and keep performing. He’s been very good for the team.”



The midfielder also spoke about his flexibility and team-first mentality, something sure to endear him to the Wolves faithful:

> “For me, I just need to play. If the coach wants me in a different position, I’ll do it. That’s what I’ve been doing. When the team is playing well and winning, I’m happy.”



Bellegarde’s standout performances—including a notable assist for Marshall Munetsi—earned him a Premier League Player of the Month nomination in March.

With Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha departing this summer, Bellegarde is expected to take on a more prominent role in the 2025/26 campaign. He could be crucial in helping to fill the creative void left by Cunha, particularly in partnership with new signing Fer Lopez—who is expected to play in one of the advanced midfield roles under Pereira.