Swansea City find themselves perched at the summit of the Championship after just eight fixtures – a position that few predicted when the season kicked off. Vitor Matos, the Portuguese tactician behind the club’s high‑pressing, energetic brand of football, is delighted with the way the campaign has unfolded so far. While the points tally is certainly welcome, it is the style of play and the overall vibe on the pitch that have brought him the greatest satisfaction.
"I’m more pleased with the way we’ve started than with the raw results," Matos told Sky Sports after being named Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for August. "When you watch us, you get a good feeling.
The fans feed off that energy and we want to give them exactly that – a clear, attractive identity. That’s been our priority from day one. So far, everything has clicked nicely." Having taken the reins at Swansea almost a year ago, Matos feels a deep connection with both the club and the city.
He often refers to the "Swansea way" as a cultural bridge that unites the team, the supporters, and the broader community. "It’s a fantastic place," he says. "There’s a strong tradition of playing attractive football here, and that was a key factor in my decision to come. The owners and I share the ambition of restoring the club’s historic, attacking identity – a side that dominates possession, presses aggressively, yet remains capable of matching any opponent.
That cultural foundation makes it easy for us to gel together." He adds, "Swansea has always been recognised for its clear identity and style. That brings the fans together and creates a sense of belonging.
Being part of that narrative makes me extremely proud." The Championship is notorious for its relentless schedule, and many teams that start brightly eventually fade under the strain of 46 games. Matos is fully aware of the challenge ahead.
"It’s all about mindset and willingness," he explains. "When a philosophy becomes part of your DNA, you don’t just follow it because it looks nice – you believe it’s the most effective way to win. When you embed that belief into the club’s culture, it becomes sustainable.
Of course, we’ll face different types of opposition and will need to adapt, but the core principles must stay intact. That’s the balance we strive for." Those core ideas were heavily influenced by his five‑year spell at Liverpool, where he served as an elite development coach under Jürgen Klopp. Working alongside Klopp, Pep Lijnders, and Peter Krawietz gave Matos an inside view of a top‑class football operation. "I was fortunate to spend a long period with Jurgen," Matos reflects.
"It wasn’t just Jurgen – the whole Liverpool staff, including Pep and Peter, left a lasting impression. Being exposed to Premier League and Champions League training sessions at such a high level shaped my approach.
The intensity and standards taught me a lot, and I continue to learn from that experience." He notes that the Championship has evolved dramatically, with loan players from top clubs raising the technical and tactical bar. "The level has risen in every direction – technically, tactically, physically. Games are played in many different ways now," he observes.
Even after Klopp moved on to manage the German national team, the connection remains strong. Matos admits he still phones Jurgen for advice more often than the other way around.
"I have more questions for Jurgen than he does for me," he laughs. "Our relationship goes beyond football; we stay close with the whole Liverpool coaching team." In 2024, Matos left Liverpool to join Pep Lijnders at RB Salzburg as an assistant, a stint that lasted only a few months before he returned to Portugal to take his first senior managerial role at Marítimo in June. That tenure lasted just five months before Swansea approached him in November, offering a chance to return to English football – this time on the Welsh side of the border.
"I’ve always wanted to come back to England," he says. "I never planned the exact timing, but growing up I was obsessed with the English game.
Working at Liverpool only deepened that passion. When the opportunity at Swansea appeared and our values aligned, the decision was straightforward." For someone who decided at 15 that he wanted to be a coach, Matos speaks with the poise of a seasoned veteran. Yet he remains grounded, focusing on the day‑to‑day rather than the bigger picture.
"I don’t dwell on how far I’ve come," he admits. "We live for the next match, the next training session, the next drill, the next interview. That’s the reality for any manager. I’m still young, there’s plenty to learn, and I’m grateful for the luck that’s brought me here – a healthy career, a supportive family, and a job at a club I love.
The journey has been rewarding so far." Swansea City share his enthusiasm. The board and supporters alike have embraced his vision, and the early results suggest the partnership could bear fruit for the rest of the season. As the campaign progresses, Matos knows the true test will be maintaining the high‑pressing, attacking identity over a grueling 46‑game marathon, but he remains confident that the blend of Swansea’s cultural heritage and the lessons learned at Liverpool will guide the club toward sustained success.