Vitor Matos gives his first sit down interview on becoming the new head coach of Swansea City, as replacement for Alan Sheehan.
The 37 year old, arrives from Maritimo on a contract through to the summer of 2029 and will take charge of Tuesday’s fixture against Derby County.
The Swansea City CEO said that they spoke to a range of candidates, with Vitor being the clear standout and had a cohesive plan of how to take our squad forward and improve.
Bem-vindo, Vítor 🦢🇵🇹
We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Vítor Matos as the club’s new head coach.
👉 https://t.co/9UBxrXv596 pic.twitter.com/iXCOAUtc7C
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) November 24, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Swansea City is delighted to confirm the appointment of Vítor Matos as the club’s new head coach.
The 37-year-old arrives from Marítimo on a contract through to the summer of 2029 and will take charge of Tuesday’s fixture against Derby County.
Matos was identified as the standout choice for the role, and was selected for his ability to implement a high-intensity, possession-based style of play.
His appointment continues Swansea’s long record of providing opportunities and backing to ambitious, technically-focused young coaches, and Matos was the outstanding candidate from those the club interviewed during what was a thorough but concise recruitment process.
Swansea City CEO Tom Gorringe, said: “We spoke to a range of candidates and Vitor was the clear stand-out with a cohesive plan of how to take our squad forward and improve.
“Vitor has spent over a decade working at elite clubs, and has been a trusted figure for some of the best coaches operating in the modern game.
“He is committed to playing an attacking brand of football, and to developing players technically and tactically, and we are sure supporters are going to enjoy watching his Swansea City team in action.”
Watch his sit down interview in full by clicking play below…
“Swansea, for me, have always had a style. Something that distinguished the club from all the others,” he said.
“Somehow we have got a bit far away from what is the DNA of the club.
“So it will take steps, it will take a bit of time, but I really believe we can take steps in the right direction.
“For that, we will need everyone, the whole club, all the fans and us all to have the same vision.
“That’s what I want. I see the fans are still behind and pushing the team, we will need them and I see players who want to change the momentum and we need to find the right idea and the right vision to do it.
“That’s the most important thing. It is clear we need to win games and points, but we need to focus on the process and I really believe if we can play to our best then the more chances we will have to win. That’s the direction we need to have.”
Matos brings experience of elite performance environments to south Wales, having spent five years as elite development coach at Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp and Pep Lijnders, during an era that included winning a Premier League title, a Club World Cup, the FA Cup and two League Cups.
He served as the tactical bridge between the academy and first team, aiding in the development of players like Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, Neco Williams, Sepp van den Berg and Jarell Quansah.
He began his coaching journey at FC Porto and spent time in China before his move to Anfield. Most recently, he took charge of Marítimo, where he quickly overhauled their playing style and guided them to the upper reaches of Liga Portugal 2.
Matos, who completed his ‘Pro’ Licence with the Football Association of Wales, first started working through his coaching badges when still in his teens.
The club is working with Matos on finalising a backroom staff that provides the support and expertise to give him the best chance of being successful. Club legend Leon Britton has joined the coaching team on a short-term basis, while Joe Allen will also assist with the transition.
Additionally, Darren O’Dea and Richard Stearman have left the club, we thank them for their efforts and wish them and their families well for the future.
“One of the reasons I was so excited to come here was because of the fanbase. This is a place where that bond should be strong; the relationship between the fans, the coach and the team,” Vitor Matos added.
“When this bond is created it is massive, you can compete against everyone, you can win against everyone and that is what we need.
“We need to start being this team that no-one wants to face. We need to start that at our home, our sacred place, and we need to create that, for sure.
“We need to start delivering desire and hunger. We want to be a dominant team.
“I still haven’t had a chance to work with all the players and that will be a starting point.
“But it’s clear we want to be dominant with and without the ball, we want to be aggressive with and without the ball. It’s clear in this league we will need control, physicality and speed.
“We will work every day from now on to be this team, to be as dominant as we can, to press as well as we can, and counter-pressing will be massive in giving us the intensity and momentum, and something that will identify how we play.
“It’s important we all feel as a team that we are part of them, and that they feel they are part of us on the pitch and we create this connection.”
Saturday saw Swansea fall to a 3-0 defeat away at Bristol City, who returned to the Championship play-off places, with prospective new head coach Vitor Matos watching from the stands.
Rob Dickie put the hosts ahead on the fourth-minute with a header from an Anis Mehmeti corner, Swansea couldn’t make the most of their chances to level the score, described as passive and defensively sloppy, before Emil Riis doubled the Robins’ lead from a deep cross sent in by Mehmeti.
Swansea gave showed threat to try and spark some sort of comeback, but again, a poor showing at the back, as Mehmeti produced a superb turn and pass to set Yu Hirakawa free and finish to make it 3-0.
Swansea drop to 19th in the Championship table, with 17 points from 16 games played.
Swansea’s interim boss Darren O’Dea after defeat to Bristol City: “I have just left the dressing room and my only thoughts are with the players, who gave everything today. There is a lot of talent in that dressing room and I am sure that whoever takes charge the future is bright.
“The players are a really good group and will be fine. Obviously, this has been a period which has been unsettling, but that’s what happens when big decisions are taken like the ones which have been made.
Asked if he knew whether he expected to be in charge for the next game against Derby on Tuesday, O’Dea added: “The club have told me what they will when they can and I’m sure when I leave here I will get an update on what tomorrow looks like.
“It needs new leadership and it seems that is pretty imminent. I have had to live for the last two weeks not knowing what the next couple of days will bring, but I know there is enough in the squad to set the club back in the right direction.”
Here’s how fans reacted after Vitor Matos gives his first sit down interview on becoming new Swansea City head coach…
@Cerium: Welcome home you handsome bugger. 🇵🇹 🦢
@Llanelli_Jack: Croeso i Abertawe, Gaffer! #Swans 🦢🇵🇹
@KieranCraig2016: Coaching clear out that was needed. Not many better than Joey and Leon to ease him into it. Time to get behind him now. Up the Portuguese Jacks🦢🇵🇹
@Rhodri_Dalton: A risky appointment that has an air of panic given Matos has only managed 12 games previously. However, it’s a move in the right direction and it’s about time Swansea looked at bringing in a manager from abroad.
@sparkyjack84: He’s here, so let’s get behind him and the boys and get out of this mess we are currently in 💪🦢⚽️
@curtisevans02: There he is. Let’s hope he changes everything. Vitor Martos’ Barmy Army!!! 🇵🇹
@HarryRhode49524: brilliant now let’s get behind him and get behind the boys. New era now pack the stadium as much as u can if we lose tomorrow the guy just signed today give him time no having a go at him tomorrow 🦢
@CJGLV1912: He wasn’t probably anyone’s first choice but the state we’re in at the moment there’s no wonder we struggled to get a bigger name but get behind this fella. Massive job on his hands. Vitor Matos barmy armyyyyyy🦢
@Kieranh_SCFC: Wasn’t my first pick by any means , but I’ll back him until the end. Vitor Matos barmy army 🇵🇹 🦢
@egansmind: Let’s all get behind the man. It’s not a time for points scoring. Great to see Joe Allen and Leon Britton give their advice on the club. Two players who have played at the highest level. #SwanseaCity 🦢 🇵🇹 #VitorMatos
@Bauza_02: He’s clearly done his research on the club and knows what it’s about, but his confidence is what’s getting me invested
@jordanmorcom: Leon and Joey involved and the old lot gone. We love to see it
@RicksterTheJack: Regardless of what we thought before his appointment, this man is swansea, he is us! If he can get the players feeling the way I currently feel and I’m sure a lot of the jack army feel, then these players will run through walls for him! YJB! Mans got an aura about him for sure!
@SCFC_Chris: I’ve heard enough, we’re going up 👏🦢
Middlesbrough had reportedly ‘hijacked’ Swansea’s move for Kim Hellberg last week. Middlesbrough have also just confirmed the appointment.
First words from Kim Hellberg after being appointed as new Middlesbrough head coach
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