Swansea City find themselves leading the Championship after just eight fixtures – a position few predicted when the season kicked off. Vitor Matos, the architect behind the club’s high‑pressing, energetic brand of football, has relished the opening weeks of the campaign. While the points table tells one story, it is the quality of the performances that has truly satisfied him. "I’m more pleased with the way we’ve started than the actual results," Matos, who was named Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for August, told Sky Sports.
"It’s the style, the vibe you get when you watch us play, that gives us confidence. Our fans feel that excitement, and that’s exactly what we set out to achieve – more than anything else, we wanted to give the supporters something to cheer about.
So far, it’s been a very positive experience." Having taken the reins at Swansea almost a year ago, Matos has clearly settled into the city, and the locals have embraced him in return. He often refers to the "Swansea way" as a bridge that links the club, its supporters, and the wider community.
"This is a fantastic town with a strong footballing culture," he explained. "That was a major factor in my decision to come here, and it’s also why we all feel such a close bond. The owners and I wanted to revive the club’s traditional attacking identity – a side that dominates possession, presses aggressively and can challenge any opponent. The fact that this philosophy already exists in the club’s DNA makes it easier for everyone to connect and work towards a common goal.
Swansea has always been recognised for its clear identity and style, which unites the fans and creates a sense of belonging. Being part of that legacy makes me incredibly proud." The Championship is notorious for grinding down early‑season momentum with its congested fixture list and physical demands. Matos is aware that preserving the current level of play over a 46‑game season will be a true test. "It’s largely about mindset and willingness," he said.
"When a style becomes part of your identity, when you understand its advantages, you don’t adopt it just because it looks nice – you believe it’s the most effective way to win and to compete with every team. Once you internalise that belief and embed it into the club’s culture, success becomes attainable. Of course, it’s challenging. Different opponents will force you to adapt, but the core principles must remain intact.
That’s what we strive for." Many of those core ideas were forged during Matos’s five‑year stint at Liverpool, where he served as an elite development coach under Jürgen Klopp. "I was fortunate to work with Jurgen for a long period," Matos recalled. "It wasn’t just Jurgen – the whole Liverpool staff, including Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, had a huge impact on me.
Being exposed to top‑level players, the Premier League, the Champions League, and the intensity of those training sessions shaped my approach. The standards were incredibly high and demanding, and that experience has stayed with me." He added that the time at Liverpool also gave him insight into the evolution of the Championship, as several Liverpool loanees now compete there.
"Watching those players develop showed me how the league has progressed technically and tactically. Games are played in a far wider variety of ways than before," he noted. Even after moving on, Matos maintains a close relationship with his former mentors.
Klopp, now the German national team manager, remains just a phone call away. "I probably ask Jurgen more questions than he asks me!" Matos laughed.
"But it’s always a pleasure to speak with him and the rest of the Liverpool team. Our bond goes beyond football; we’re still very close." After leaving Liverpool in early 2024, Matos briefly joined Lijnders as an assistant at RB Salzburg before returning to Portugal to take his first senior managerial role at Marítimo in June.
That tenure lasted only five months before Swansea approached him in November, bringing him back to English football – albeit on the Welsh side of the border. "I’ve always had the desire to return to the UK," he explained.
"I never set a timetable, but growing up I was fascinated by English football. Working at Liverpool only deepened that passion.
When the opportunity at Swansea arose and the values of the club aligned with my own, the decision became straightforward." For someone who decided to become a coach at 15, Matos speaks with the composure of a veteran. Yet he remains grounded, focusing on the day‑to‑day rather than the long‑term narrative.
"I don’t dwell on how far I’ve come," he said. "We live for the next match, the next training session, the next drill, the next interview – that’s the reality for all managers.
I’m still a young coach with a lot to learn, but I’m grateful for everything that has happened. Luck plays a part in any career, and I’ve been fortunate: I’m healthy, I have a family, and I get to work at a club I love.
I’m more than pleased with the journey so far." Swansea City share that sentiment, expressing confidence that Matos’s blend of youthful energy and seasoned experience will continue to drive the club forward as they chase promotion.