Vitor Matos gives his first interview about his appointment as Swansea City’s new head coach to replace Alan Sheehan.
The 37-year-old arrives from Maritimo on a contract until the summer of 2029 and will take charge of Tuesday’s game against Derby County.
Swansea City’s CEO said that they had spoken to a number of candidates, with Vitor being the clear standout, and that they had a coherent plan for how we could progress and improve our squad.
Welcome, Vítor
We are pleased 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 pleased to confirm the appointment of Vítor Matos as the club’s new head coach.
The 37-year-old arrives from Marítimo on a contract until the summer of 2029 and will take charge of Tuesday’s game against Derby County.
Matos was considered an outstanding candidate for the role and was chosen for his ability to implement a high-intensity, possession-based style of play.
With his appointment, Swansea continues its long-standing track record of providing opportunities and support to ambitious, technically skilled young coaches and Matos was the standout candidate among those the club interviewed as part of a thorough but succinct recruitment process.
Swansea City CEO Tom Gorringe said: “We spoke to a number of candidates and Vitor was the clear challenger with a coherent plan on how we can advance and improve our team.”
“Vitor has worked at elite clubs for over a decade and has been a trusted figure to some of the best coaches in modern football.
“He is committed to playing attacking football and developing players technically and tactically and we are sure fans will enjoy watching his Swansea City team in action.”
Watch his sit-down interview in full by clicking play below…
“For me, Swansea always had a style. Something that differentiated the club from all the others.” he said.
“Somehow we are a bit far removed from the DNA of the club.
“So it’s going to take steps, it’s going to take a while, but I really believe we can take steps in the right direction.
“For this we need everyone, the entire club, all the fans and all of us who have the same vision.
“That’s what I want. I see that 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 have to find the right idea and the right vision for it.”
“That’s the most important thing. It’s clear that we have to win games and points, but we have to focus on the process and I really believe that if we give our best we will have the more chances to win. That’s the direction we have to go.”
Matos brings experience of elite performance environments to South Wales, having spent five years as an elite development coach at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp and Pep Lijnders, in an era that saw him win a Premier League title, a Club World Cup, the FA Cup and two League Cups.
He acted as a tactical bridge between the academy and the first team, supporting the development of players such as Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, Neco Williams, Sepp van den Berg and Jarell Quansah.
He began his coaching career at FC Porto and spent time in China before moving to Anfield. Most recently, he took charge of Marítimo, where he quickly overhauled their style of play and led them to the top of Liga Portugal 2.
Matos, who completed his ‘Pro’ license with the Welsh Football Association, began working through his coaching badges as a teenager.
The club is working with Matos to establish a backroom team that will provide the support and expertise to give him the best chance of success. Club legend Leon Britton has joined the coaching team at short notice, while Joe Allen will also help with the transition.
Additionally, Darren O’Dea and Richard Stearman have left the club. We thank them for their commitment and wish them and their families all the best for the future.
“One of the reasons I was so excited to come here was the fan base. This is a place where that bond should be strong; the relationship between the fans, the coach and the team.” Vitor Matos added.
“When that bond happens it’s huge, you can compete against anyone, you can win against anyone and that’s what we need.”
“We have to start being that team that no one wants to face. We have to start that in our home, our sacred place, and we definitely have to do that.”
“We must begin to satisfy cravings 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 is clear that we want to be dominant with and without the ball, we want to be aggressive with and without the ball. It is clear that in this league we will need control, physicality and speed.
“From now on we will work every day to be this team, to be as dominant as possible, to press as well as possible and the counter-pressing will be huge to give us the intensity and the momentum and something that will show the way we play.”
“It’s important that we all as a team feel like we’re a part of them and that they feel like they’re a part of us on the court and we create that connection.”
On Saturday, Swansea suffered a 3-0 away defeat at Bristol City, who returned to the Championship play-off places, with soon-to-be new head coach Vitor Matos watching from the stands.
Rob Dickie gave the hosts the lead in the fourth minute with a header from an Anis Mehmeti corner, Swansea failed to capitalize on their chances to equalize and were described as passive and defensively sloppy before Emil Riis doubled the Robins’ lead from a cross sent in by Mehmeti.
Swansea tried with all their might to stage a comeback, but again showed poor defensive performance as Mehmeti made a great turn and pass to release Yu Hirakawa to make it 3-0.
Swansea fall to 19th place in the Championship table with 17 points from 16 games played.
Swansea’s interim coach Darren O’Dea after the defeat against Bristol City: “I have just left the dressing room and my thoughts only go to the players who gave everything today. There is a lot of talent in this dressing room and I am sure whoever takes over will have a bright future.”
“The players are a really good group and they will be fine. Of course this has been a worrying time but that’s what happens when big decisions like the ones made are made.”
Asked if he knew whether he expected to take charge of the next game against Derby on Tuesday, O’Dea added: “The club have told me what they will do if they can and I’m sure when I leave here I will get an update on what it looks like tomorrow.”
“There needs to be new leadership and that seems pretty imminent. I’ve had to live with that for the last two weeks not knowing what the next few days will bring, but I know there is enough in the squad to get the club back in the right direction.”
Here’s how fans reacted after Vitor Matos gave his first interview about his appointment as Swansea City’s new head coach…
@Cerium: Welcome home, you pretty bastard.
@Llanelli_Jack: Welcome to Swansea, gaffer! #Swans
@KieranCraig2016: Coaching clarify what was necessary. There is hardly anyone who could help him get started better than Joey and Leon. Now is the time to get behind him. To the Portuguese Jacks
@Rhodri_dalton: A risky appointment that creates an air of panic considering that Matos has only played 12 games before. However, it is a step in the right direction and it is time for Swansea to think about 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’re in right now
@curtisevans02: There he is. Let’s hope he changes everything. Vitor Martos’ crazy army!!!
@HarryRhode49524: Brilliant, now let’s get behind him and the boys. New Era is now packing the stadium as full as possible. If we lose tomorrow, give the guy who just signed today time not to attack him tomorrow
@CJGLV1912: He probably wasn’t anyone’s first choice, but in the situation we’re in right now, it’s no wonder we had trouble getting a bigger name but to get behind this guy. A huge task lies before him. Vitor Matos barmy armyyyyyy
@Kieranh_SCFC: Wasn’t my first choice by any means, but I’ll support it until the end. Vitor Mato’s merciful army
@egansmind: Let’s all get behind the man. There is no time to collect points. Nice to see Joe Allen and Leon Britton giving their advice about the club. Two players who have played at the highest level. #SwanseaCity #VitorMatos
@Bauza_02: He’s obviously researched the club and knows what it’s about, but his confidence is what makes me invest
@jordanmorcom: Leon and Joey are involved and the old people are gone. We love watching it
@RicksterTheJack: Regardless of what we thought before his appointment, this man is Swansea, he is us! If he can make players feel the way I currently feel, and I’m sure a lot of the Jack Army feels, then those players will run through walls for him! YJB! Mans definitely has an aura about him!
@SCFC_Chris: I’ve heard enough, things are looking up
Middlesbrough reportedly ‘hijacked’ Swansea’s move for Kim Hellberg last week. Middlesbrough have also just confirmed the appointment.
First words from Kim Hellberg following his appointment as Middlesbrough’s new head coach
