Image Credits: Imago Images
Swansea City’s search for a new head coach has ended following Alan Sheehan dismissal on November 11 after just six months in permanent charge.
His tenure ended with only four wins from 15 Championship fixtures that left Swansea languishing in 18th position, just seven points above the relegation zone.
Sheehan had been appointed permanently in April following two successful interim spells that guided the club to an 11th-place finish but struggled to replicate that form at the start of the new campaign.
Swansea initially pursued Swedish manager Kim Hellberg from Hammarby as their preferred replacement, only to be gazumped by Championship rivals Middlesbrough after the highly-rated coach chose to pursue negotiations with Boro instead.
The failed pursuit left the club scrambling for alternatives with no clear Plan B.
However, the Welsh outfit has now got their man in former Liverpool coach Vitor Matos, with the Swans now officially confirming his appointment.
Swansea agreed to pay his full €1 million (£881,900) release clause to Portuguese second-tier side CS Marítimo.
The 37-year-old, who spent five years as elite development coach under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, has signed a four-year contract running until June 2029 and will bring three members of his backroom staff with him to South Wales.
The move marks Matos’s return to British football after just five months in charge at Marítimo.
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.”
Matos said of his appointment:
“Swansea for me always had a ‘style’, something that distinguished the club from all the others.”
“I think it’s important to feel that we as a team are part of them [the fans] and the other way around.”
“And then we can put the stand on fire, I think that’s the most important thing for this game.”
Matos will take charge of Tuesday’s Championship fixture against Derby County.
Swansea are working with Matos to finalise a backroom team that can provide the support and expertise he needs
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