#vitormatos — Public Fediverse posts

SWANS: New Zealand World Cup star Elijah Just signs from Motherwell

Swansea City have completed the signing of New Zealand international Elijah Just from Motherwell, subject to the relevant approval — making the winger the club’s third signing of the summer.

The 26-year-old has agreed a three-year deal with the option of a further 12 months, and will wear the number eight shirt.

Just arrives off the back of a breakout World Cup, scoring twice in the All Whites’ opening group game against Iran and once against Belgium in their final fixture — with his opening goal against Iran nominated for goal of the tournament.

The three goals made him New Zealand’s top men’s scorer at the tournament, and the first player from the national team to score a brace at a World Cup finals.

Neither club has disclosed the fee, but reports in Scotland put it at more than £5m — a record sale for Motherwell.

The deal reunites Just with fellow New Zealand international Marko Stamenic, who joined the Swans from Nottingham Forest last summer — and Just says his teammate helped seal the move.

“I’m lucky to have Marko here; we’ve obviously spoken on the phone a lot, and he’s told me a lot about the club and the playing style,” he said.

“I’m over the moon — to be here now is pretty cool.”

Just also spoke to defender Stephen Welsh, whose move from Celtic the Swans pushed through this summer.

“Welshy is here too. As soon as Swansea showed interest, I researched as much as I could and it’s an incredible club,” he said. “I spoke to him, and he is enjoying his time here very much.”

Looking back on the tournament, Just said: “It was a long journey, to make it to a World Cup with all the boys was so special. Scoring was an unbelievable feeling. In a World Cup, you know games are going to be tough. I never thought I would score, let alone three goals.”

Just said the Championship was a step he had long wanted to take. “I can’t wait, it’s something I’ve wanted to do in my whole career,” he said. “I’ve watched a lot of Championship games, and it’s a tough league. I’m looking forward to playing many games, I think it’ll suit me well.”

“I’m looking forward to being out there with the boys, contributing and hopefully we can do something special.”

Born in Palmerston North, Just began his senior career in New Zealand with Western Suburbs and Eastern Suburbs before moving to the Danish top flight in 2019, and made the switch to Scotland in 2025.

He made 43 appearances and scored seven goals for Motherwell, where he was shortlisted for PFA Scotland’s Premiership Player of the Year in his debut season and named the club’s player of the season.

Head coach Vitor Matos said the club was excited by the winger’s flexibility. “He can play in more than one position, and his versatility will be a great fit in the side,” he said.

“Elijah joins us after performing well in all aspects of our recruitment process, and after a brilliant performance at the World Cup, and we are very happy to have him with us.”

Sporting director Ben Stevens said: “Delighted for Elijah to join us, he will add quality to our attack with the ability to play in multiple positions.”

“He had a phenomenal World Cup with New Zealand where he really introduced himself onto the world footballing stage after a standout season with Motherwell.”

Just’s arrival follows a window that has also seen Ethan Galbraith depart for Stoke and an injury to Franco disrupt midfield plans, with pre-season underway after the draw with Holstein Kiel and defeat against VfL Bochum.

Swansea are next in action against Italian heavyweights Udinese on Friday, 24 July 12 pm kick-off, during their training camp.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea City step up move for Celtic defender Stephen Welsh
The Swans’ pursuit of the defender Just consulted before signing.

SWANSEA CITY: Goodman shocked by Galbraith exit — says Idah faces make-or-break season
Reaction to the midfielder’s departure for Stoke.

Franco injury rocks Swansea’s midfield plans ahead of new season
The setback disrupting the Swans’ preparations.

SWANS: Idah on target but Swansea held by Holstein Kiel in first pre-season friendly
How the Swans fared in their opening pre-season outing.

SWANS: Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Records on the shirt for the Austria tour

The Swans will run out for their pre-season friendlies in Austria wearing a one-off kit — with Death…
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SWANS: Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Records on the shirt for the Austria tour

The Swans will run out for their pre-season friendlies in Austria wearing a one-off kit — with Death Row Records across the front of the shirt.

The limited-edition Joma design, in the classic black and white with black trim on the collar and sleeves, will be worn only for the three tour fixtures — starting against Holstein Kiel tomorrow (Saturday).

The club says the front-of-shirt deal with the label — the Los Angeles hip-hop institution behind 2Pac, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, and now owned by Snoop himself — applies to this kit only.

Official partners ASI:One and Swansea Building Society feature on the sleeve and the back of the shirt.

The kit is not the home shirt for the 2026-27 season, and will not be sold in the club shop.

But the match-worn jerseys will be auctioned after the tour — with funds going to the club’s charitable arm, the Swansea City AFC Foundation.

Vitor Matos’ side face three fixtures at their Austrian training camp, all open to the public.

First up is Holstein Kiel at the Kufstein Arena tomorrow, kicking off at 4.30pm local time — 3.30pm in Wales.

VfL Bochum follow at Fussballplatz Mittersill on Tuesday 21 July at 6pm local time (5pm in Wales).

The tour concludes against Italian side Udinese at the same ground on Friday 24 July, with a 1pm local (12 noon) kick-off.

The club says details of the new official home kit for the 2026-27 Championship season will be revealed soon.

A new permanent front-of-shirt partner will be confirmed before that launch.

The new kits will be sold in the club’s newly renovated store, The Foundry, which reopens shortly.

The tour comes amid a summer of change at the club — a day after a stake in Swansea City Women was sold and the team moved into a new company, and with the Swansea.com Stadium’s sale to the club agreed this week.

The Swans open their Championship season next month.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

SWANS WOMEN: Stake sold and team moved into new company — in what club calls its ‘most significant milestone’
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SWANSEA.COM STADIUM: Sale to the Swans agreed — as council explains why the price must stay secret
The club’s move to own its home — with the price behind closed doors.

Franco injury rocks Swansea’s midfield plans ahead of new season
The pre-season setback in midfield ahead of the Championship kick-off.

SWANSEA CITY: Swans head for the Alps — pre-season plans confirmed with Spanish visitors for SA1

The Swans have confirmed their pre-season plans — with an Alpine training camp, German opposition and a Spanish visitor to the Swansea.com Stadium before the new Championship season.

The first-team squad will report back to Fairwood in the coming days for physical testing before the training programme begins.

The squad will then spend a week in Austria, from 17 to 24 July, with the club saying the camp offers the chance to work in a different environment with full focus on training and matches.

Three games will be played during the week — starting with Holstein Kiel at the Kufstein Arena on Saturday 18 July, kicking off at 4.30pm local time.

VfL Bochum are the second opponents, at Fussballplatz Mittersill on Tuesday 21 July at 6pm local time.

The tour concludes on Friday 24 July at the same venue, against a European top-flight side yet to be announced.

Back home, Spanish side CD Leganes visit the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday 1 August, with a 3pm kick-off.

That afternoon is likely to be supporters’ first home look at the summer signings — with Salzburg winger Moussa Yeo and Celtic defender Stephen Welsh already through the door.

Behind-closed-doors fixtures will also be played during pre-season, though these will not be publicised or open to the public.

Ticket information for the Austria games and the Leganes friendly is to be confirmed soon.

The Leganes game is the final public outing before competitive football begins — with the Swans opening their Carabao Cup campaign at home to Birmingham in the week before the league season starts.

The Championship opener follows on 15 August, away at Stoke — where Ethan Galbraith could line up against his old club just weeks after his eight-figure move to the Potteries.

Head coach Vitor Matos will use the five-week programme to bed in his reshaped squad before that Stoke trip.

And there’s plenty to build towards — a rare Championship season with Cardiff and Wrexham both in the division alongside the Swans.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swans sign Salzburg winger Yeo in second summer swoop
Vitor Matos reunites with the 22-year-old on a four-year deal.

Swans accept eight-figure Stoke bid for star midfielder Galbraith
The first major departure of the Swansea summer.

Swans handed home Birmingham tie to open Carabao Cup campaign
The route into the new League Cup season, against a familiar face in the dugout.

SWANSEA CITY: Swans sign Salzburg winger Yeo in second summer swoop

The Swans have completed the signing of Red Bull Salzburg winger Moussa Yeo, the club’s second addition of the summer window.

The 22-year-old has agreed a four-year contract at the Swansea.com Stadium, with the option of a further 12 months, for an undisclosed fee.

Yeo follows defender Stephen Welsh through the door, after the Swans landed the centre-back from Celtic earlier in the window.

The Mali-born forward links back up with Swansea head coach Vitor Matos, who worked with him during a spell as assistant boss at Salzburg in 2024.

Yeo said that time together had helped him progress, developing his game both as a striker and out wide, and predicted things would be “even better” in Wales.

Matos said the winger would bring “creativity, energy and versatility”, describing him as a player with good game understanding who can fill more than one role.

The head coach said Yeo had already been exposed to a high level of football and backed him to adapt to the physicality and intensity of the Championship.

Yeo joined Salzburg in 2022 and spent time on loan at feeder club FC Liefering before making his Austrian Bundesliga debut in May 2024.

He scored six goals in 32 appearances during his first full season in the first team in 2024-25.

Last season he featured 30 times across all competitions, including in the Champions League and Europa League.

One of his two goals came in a 3-2 Europa League defeat to eventual winners Aston Villa in January.

Yeo said playing in Europe’s top competitions, against sides such as Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, had been among the biggest moments of his career so far.

His arrival is aimed at bolstering Matos’ options on the flanks, following the departures of loan players Manuel Benson and Gustavo Nunes.

Yeo joins the likes of Ronald, Eom Jisung and Zeidane Inoussa as frontline options, with Cameron Congreve and Florian Bianchini also back from loan spells.

The signing comes as the Swans confirmed the departure of Northern Ireland midfielder Ethan Galbraith to Stoke City for what the club called a “significant” fee.

Matos said Yeo would help the Swans “take a next step” in an area of the pitch they had been keen to strengthen.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swans accept eight-figure Stoke bid for star midfielder Galbraith
Ethan Galbraith becomes the first major departure of the Swansea summer.

Swansea City step up move for Celtic defender Stephen Welsh
The Swans land a composed, ball-playing centre-back to suit Matos’ system.

Swans handed home Birmingham tie to open Carabao Cup campaign
Swansea’s route into the new League Cup season is confirmed.

SWANSEA CITY: Swans handed home Birmingham tie to open Carabao Cup campaign

Swansea City will start their season with a home Carabao Cup tie against Birmingham City. The Swans have…
#Birmingham #UnitedKingdom #UK #GB #England #Headlines #News #Europe #EU #BirminghamCity #Britain #CarabaoCup #GreatBritain #SwanseaCityFC #VitorMatos
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https://www.europesays.com/uk/1060424/ SWANSEA CITY: Swans handed home Birmingham tie to open Carabao Cup campaign #Birmingham #BirminghamCity #Britain #CarabaoCup #England #GreatBritain #SwanseaCityFC #UK #UnitedKingdom #VitorMatos

SWANSEA CITY: Swans handed home Birmingham tie to open Carabao Cup campaign

Swansea City will start their season with a home Carabao Cup tie against Birmingham City.

The Swans have been drawn to host their fellow Championship side at the Swansea.com Stadium in the first round of the competition.

The tie will be played over the weekend of 7-9 August, with exact timings and ticket details to be confirmed.

It means Swansea’s first competitive game of the campaign will come a week before their league opener — an opening-day trip to Stoke City on 15 August.

The cup draw pits the Swans against a side they know well from the league.

Birmingham are managed by Chris Davies, a former assistant coach at Swansea, adding a familiar face in the opposing dugout.

The two clubs met twice in the Championship last season, with Birmingham winning 1-0 at home in September before a draw in south Wales in January.

Their most recent meeting in this competition, however, dates back to the 2013-14 season, when Birmingham knocked Swansea out at St Andrew’s.

Both clubs have lifted the trophy in the past.

Swansea won the competition — then known as the League Cup — in 2013, one of the proudest days in the club’s history.

Birmingham have won it twice, most recently in 2011.

The first-round draw offers an early test for head coach Vitor Matos as he prepares his side for the new campaign.

It also comes at a time of change at the Swansea.com Stadium, with midfielder Ethan Galbraith set to leave for Stoke in an eight-figure deal.

Matos will be keen to get his squad settled before the cup tie kicks off the competitive season.

The Swans had been tipped for a strong year, with a recent supercomputer prediction forecasting a top-half Championship finish.

Full details of the Birmingham tie, including kick-off time and ticket information, will be confirmed in due course.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swans open at Stoke — in a rare season with Cardiff and Wrexham in the league too
The 2026/27 Championship fixture list in full.

Swans accept eight-figure Stoke bid for Galbraith
The midfielder set to leave after a single season.

SWANSEA CITY: Swans accept eight-figure Stoke bid for star midfielder Galbraith

Swansea City have accepted an eight-figure bid from Stoke City for midfielder Ethan Galbraith, paving the way for one of their standout players to leave after just a year.

The Northern Ireland international is due to undergo a medical in the Potteries on Tuesday, with the Swans agreeing to let the 25-year-old go.

Galbraith only joined Swansea last summer, arriving from Leyton Orient for around £1.5m after two seasons in League One.

He quickly became a key figure at the Swansea.com Stadium, equally comfortable in midfield or filling in at right-back.

The fee involved is a significant profit on what the Swans paid for him, and the deal is also understood to include potential add-ons.

The move is a blow to head coach Vitor Matos, who had made no secret of how highly he rated the player.

Galbraith scored four goals in 44 appearances last season, a number of them coming in his less favoured role on the right of defence.

The club had been keen to tie him down to a new long-term contract this summer.

But the former Manchester United youngster is understood to have made clear he was not prepared to sign fresh terms.

His existing deal still had two years to run, until 2028, with the Swans holding the option of a further year.

Rather than force him to stay against his wishes, the club has chosen to cash in while his value is high.

There is a certain irony in the destination and the timing.

Galbraith’s switch to Stoke comes just days after the release of the new fixture list, which handed the Swans an opening-day trip to the very same club on 15 August.

It means he could line up against his old side within weeks of leaving.

Back in April, Matos had spoken of his hopes that Galbraith would stay at Swansea for years to come.

He described the midfielder as a “really important player” and said he hoped he would be at the club for a decade.

Instead, Galbraith becomes the first significant departure of the summer, leaving Matos to reshape his midfield before the big kick-off.

The Swans had been tipped for a strong season, with a recent supercomputer prediction forecasting a top-half finish — though that was before news of Galbraith’s exit broke.

Attention will now turn to how Swansea reinvest the windfall before the transfer window closes.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swans open at Stoke — in a rare season with Cardiff and Wrexham in the league too
The 2026/27 fixture list in full.

Supercomputer predicts where the Swans will finish in 2026/27
The pre-season forecast that had Swansea ending above Cardiff.

SWANSEA CITY: Swans land new sporting director in summer shake-up of backroom team

Swansea City have appointed Ben Stevens as their new sporting director, the centrepiece of a summer overhaul of the club’s football operation.

Stevens joins from Crystal Palace and will start at Swansea on 10 July, based at the club’s Fairwood training ground.

He spent more than 11 years at Palace, rising through roles including head of performance and recruitment analysis to assistant sporting director.

During his time there, Palace enjoyed the most successful spell in their history, lifting the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the UEFA Conference League. Before Palace, he spent four years as head of performance analysis at Newcastle United.

Chief executive Tom Gorringe said the club had held out for the right candidate.

“As previously outlined, the club only planned on making an appointment of this nature if we felt a candidate who was the correct fit for Swansea City was available, and we firmly believe Ben possesses the qualities we were looking for,” he said.

Stevens said he believed in the project at the club and was excited to bring people together for the season ahead.

The club timed the announcement for after Palace’s season had finished, out of respect for Stevens’s former employer.

Beneath him, Swansea have confirmed two further appointments.

Pedro Pereira joins as head of goalkeeping from Red Bull Salzburg, subject to work permit and visa confirmation.

The Portuguese coach has worked with head coach Vitor Matos before, both at Salzburg and earlier at Porto, and brings more than 15 years of experience that also takes in spells at Al Sadd and Famalicao.

Jay Lefevre, who arrived as chief scout from Celtic in December 2025, has been promoted to head of recruitment and will report to Stevens.

The club said Lefevre has led its preparations for the summer window, work already visible in Swansea’s pursuit of Celtic defender Stephen Welsh.

The changes are not all arrivals. Assistant head coach Ryan Maye has left by mutual consent, with the club thanking him for his efforts and wishing him and his family well.

There has been movement among the playing squad too. Defender Ricardo Santos has joined Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee, subject to the relevant approval.

The 31-year-old links up with the League One side after a frustrating year at Swansea, where a knee injury in pre-season limited him to a single senior appearance.

The reshuffle comes as Matos prepares for his first full season in charge, having guided the Swans to an 11th-place Championship finish after taking over partway through last season.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea City step up move for Celtic defender Stephen Welsh
The summer transfer business taking shape at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Play-offs should be the target for Vitor Matos next season
Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman on where the Swans should aim.

SWANSEA CITY: Play-offs should be the target for Vitor Matos next season, says Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman

Swansea City’s top-half Championship finish was a more than acceptable outcome for Vitor Matos’s first full season in charge — but the play-offs should be the target next time around, according to Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman.

Goodman, speaking to Parimatch Casino, said Matos had done a commendable job in guiding the Swans to 11th place, particularly given the circumstances in which he took over.

“When Vitor Matos took over, survival was the primary goal,” Goodman said. “He guided them to an 11th-place finish. A top-half finish is very acceptable, especially considering he took over a side that was fifth from bottom and had only won four of their first 16 games. He has clearly improved them.”

Matos was confirmed as Swansea’s head coach having initially come in to steady a struggling side, and the Portuguese coach gradually put his stamp on the team with an ambitious approach to recruitment and an attacking style of play.

The transformation under Matos has taken place against a backdrop of significant change at the club. Rapper Snoop Dogg joined as a minority investor with an ambitious ten-year vision for the club, followed by American lifestyle entrepreneur and billionaire Martha Stewart, who became a co-owner after attending a match at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Off the pitch, the club is also pressing ahead with ambitious plans for a major new fan zone for more than 1,700 supporters at the Swansea.com Stadium, featuring self-pour beer taps, a big screen and a bierkeller-style atmosphere — part of the ownership group’s broader vision for the club.

However, Goodman identified clear areas for improvement heading into next season, pointing to the Swans’ record against the division’s top sides as evidence of the gap that still needs to be bridged.

“In 12 matches against the top six, they did not win a single game,” he said. “They lost eight and drew four. They also failed to win an away game against any team that finished in the top 14. Those are the obvious areas for improvement.”

The pundit said he was encouraged by the club’s ambition in the transfer market last summer and expected a similar approach this window.

“Given the ambitious recruitment we saw last season, I expect them to show similar intent this summer,” he said. “I like Vitor Matos and the style he has imparted on the team.”

With the EFL play-offs now extended to eight teams, Goodman said there was every reason for Swansea to set their sights on a top-eight finish as a minimum ambition.

“With the play-offs extending down to eighth place, I imagine that will be their target next season,” he said. “This is exactly why the play-offs have been extended to eight teams. With five games of this season to go, most teams in the league, with the exception of perhaps four or five, would have had a chance. The excitement would have been off the charts. Swansea are a team that fell into that bracket.”

Don Goodman’s quotes courtesy of Parimatch Casino.

More on Swansea City

‘I AIN’T PLAYING’: Snoop Dogg reveals ten-year plan to make Swansea the ‘Vegas of Wales’
The rap legend’s ambitious vision for the Swans — and what it means for the club’s future.

American businesswoman Martha Stewart joins Swansea City as co-owner
The lifestyle billionaire who became a co-owner after attending a match at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Swansea City plan huge fan zone for more than 1,700 fans with self-pour beer taps and a bierkeller vibe
The ambitious stadium plans that are part of the ownership group’s vision for the club.

£21.6m loss as owners pump in £21m to keep club afloat — before Snoop, Martha and celebrity investors came on board
The financial reality behind the Swans’ push for promotion.

Swansea City confirm Vítor Matos as new head coach
How the appointment that steadied the ship was made.

Swansea's Top Scorer Zan Vipotnik: A Price Tag Looms Amidst Club Ambitions

Swansea City's top scorer Zan Vipotnik has a high price tag. Learn why clubs must pay 'proper money' to sign him, affecting fans and the club's future.

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Swansea's star striker Zan Vipotnik has scored 20 goals this season, making him a top contender for Player of the Season. This form means any club wanting him must pay a lot.

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Jurgen Klopp would have immediate Liverpool issue as Anfield icon says he's 'not quite finished'
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Jurgen Klopp has left the door ajar when it comes to a return to management, be that at Liverpool or elsewhere #LFC #YNWA #LiverpoolFC #JurgenKlopp #PepLijnders #VitorMatos

Jurgen Klopp would have immediate Liverpool issue as Anfield icon says he's 'not quite finished'
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Jurgen Klopp has left the door ajar when it comes to a return to management, be that at Liverpool or elsewhere #LFC #YNWA #LiverpoolFC #JurgenKlopp #PepLijnders #VitorMatos

‘Football can change pretty quickly’ https://www.rawchili.com/nfl/647809/ #AlanSheehan #Football #HuwEvansPictureAgency #JayFulton #SwanseaCity #VitorMatos #WestBromwichAlbion

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Swansea City confirm Vítor Matos as new head coach

The 37‑year‑old Portuguese coach arrives from Marítimo on a contract running until the summer of 2029 and will take charge of Tuesday’s Championship fixture against Derby County.

Matos was identified as the club’s preferred candidate after what Swansea described as a “thorough but concise” recruitment process. His arrival follows a period of uncertainty in the dugout, with Darren O’Dea stepping in as interim boss for one game after Alan Sheehan’s departure earlier this month

Background and experience

Matos brings significant experience from elite football environments. He spent five years at Liverpool as elite development coach under Jürgen Klopp and Pep Lijnders, helping bridge the gap between academy and first team. During that period, Liverpool won the Premier League, Club World Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups, while Matos worked closely with emerging talents including Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Neco Williams.

He began his coaching career at FC Porto, spent time in China, and most recently managed Marítimo, where he reshaped their playing style and guided them into the upper reaches of Liga Portugal 2. He also holds a UEFA Pro Licence completed with the Football Association of Wales.

Swansea’s coaching carousel — from Sheehan to Matos

Alan Sheehan sacked
Swansea parted company with head coach Alan Sheehan earlier this month after a poor run of results.

Darren O’Dea interim appointment
Former Celtic defender Darren O’Dea stepped in as caretaker boss for one game before leaving the club.

Interim defeat at Bristol City
O’Dea’s only match in charge ended in a 2–1 loss away at Bristol City.

Speculation and bookies odds
Russell Martin, Kim Hellberg and Brendan Rodgers were all linked during the search for a new head coach.

Matos release clause confirmed
Portuguese club Marítimo confirmed Swansea had paid Vítor Matos’s €1m release clause.

Appointment made official
Swansea City have now confirmed Vítor Matos as head coach on a contract until 2029.

Swansea’s tradition of young coaches

Swansea City CEO Tom Gorringe said Matos was the standout candidate:

“We spoke to a range of candidates and Vítor was the clear stand‑out with a cohesive plan of how to take our squad forward and improve. 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.”

The appointment continues Swansea’s long‑standing tradition of backing ambitious, technically‑focused young coaches — a lineage that has included Roberto Martínez, Brendan Rodgers, and Russell Martin.

Backroom changes

The club confirmed that Leon Britton has joined the coaching team on a short‑term basis, while Joe Allen will also assist with the transition. Darren O’Dea and Richard Stearman have left the club following their interim roles, with Swansea thanking them for their efforts.

Matos will lead Swansea for the first time on Tuesday night against Derby County, with supporters eager to see how his high‑intensity, possession‑based style translates to the Championship.

#alanSheehan #csMaritimo #darrenOdea #swanseaCityFc #swanseaCityHeadCoach #swanseaCityManager #vitorMatos

Vítor Matos to become Swansea City head coach as Portuguese club confirms €1m release clause paid

In a statement issued late on Friday, Marítimo said the 37-year-old coach would depart immediately to “assume the technical command” of Swansea City, adding that the Welsh club had paid the full termination fee required to complete the move.

Matos, who previously worked under Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool and alongside Pep Lijnders at RB Salzburg, has impressed in his first senior managerial role, guiding Marítimo to third in Portugal’s second tier. The club thanked him for his “professionalism, dedication and contribution” and wished him success in his new role.

Swansea yet to confirm appointment

Despite Marítimo’s announcement, Swansea City have not yet issued a formal statement. The club confirmed earlier this week that Darren O’Dea would oversee Saturday’s away fixture at Bristol City, continuing in his interim role.

The Swans had previously pursued Kim Hellberg, who is now expected to join Middlesbrough, and were linked with former managers Russell Martin and Brendan Rodgers during the search for a new head coach.

Matos seen as a long-term rebuild figure

Sources close to the club suggest Matos is viewed as a strategic appointment, with a focus on squad development and long-term stability. His experience in elite youth coaching and tactical innovation is expected to align with Swansea’s evolving footballing philosophy.

What it means for fans

If confirmed, Matos would become the Swans’ third permanent head coach in under 18 months. His arrival could signal a shift toward continental coaching methods and a renewed emphasis on player development.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Darren O’Dea takes interim charge at Swansea City
Former Celtic defender steps in as interim head coach while the Swans continue their search for a permanent appointment.

Russell Martin emerges as bookies’ favourite
Ex-Swans boss tipped for a sensational return after Kim Hellberg is linked with Middlesbrough.

Swans step up pursuit of Kim Hellberg
Swansea City made a move for the Swedish coach before Middlesbrough swooped in.

Could Brendan Rodgers make a Swansea return?
Speculation grows over whether the former Swans manager could be tempted back to the club.

Alan Sheehan sacked as Swansea City head coach
Swansea City parted ways with Sheehan earlier this month after a poor run of results.

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Darren O’Dea takes interim charge at Swansea City as hunt for new head coach continues

The 38‑year‑old steps in following the departure of Alan Sheehan, who was sacked earlier this month. O’Dea will be assisted by Martyn Margetson, Kris O’Leary and Richard Stearman as the Swans prepare for Saturday’s Championship trip to Bristol City.

In a statement, the club said:

“Swansea City can confirm Darren O’Dea will be in interim charge of the men’s first team while the recruitment process for a new head coach remains ongoing.”

Recruitment battle

The interim appointment comes as Swansea continue their efforts to secure a new boss. As Swansea Bay News has previously reported, Russell Martin, Kim Hellberg and Brendan Rodgers were all linked with a return to SA1 in recent weeks.

Attention has now turned to Portuguese coach Vítor Matos, currently in charge of Marítimo. According to Wales Online, Swansea have already held talks with the 37‑year‑old, but his club insist he will only be allowed to leave if his €1 million release clause is met.

Marítimo president Carlos André Gomes said in a statement:

“Marítimo da Madeira SAD guarantees that Vítor Matos will remain at the club, despite interest from other institutions… his departure can only occur upon full payment of the €1 million release clause, without exceptions or parallel negotiations.”

The Madeiran side, who sit third in Portugal’s second tier, return to action against F.C. Penafiel on Sunday, with uncertainty over whether Matos will still be in the dugout.

What’s next for the Swans

Swansea City say they will update supporters once a permanent appointment has been made. For now, O’Dea will lead the team into a crucial run of fixtures, with fans watching closely to see whether the club can resolve its managerial situation before the busy winter schedule.

#alanSheehan #darrenOdea #swanseaCityFc #swanseaCityManager #vitorMatos

Russell Martin emerges as bookies’ favourite for Swansea City return after Hellberg linked with Middlesbrough

Martin, who managed the Swans between 2021 and 2023, is now priced at evens to return to the Swansea.com Stadium dugout, according to odds from TalkSPORT Bet.

The former Rangers boss endured a difficult spell in Glasgow earlier this season, lasting just 123 days before being dismissed — the shortest tenure of any Gers manager in history. Despite that, bookmakers now see him as the leading candidate to succeed Alan Sheehan, who was sacked last week.

Next Swansea City permanent manager odds

• Russell Martin – evens
• Vitor Matos – 3/1
• Gary O’Neil – 3/1
• Brendan Rodgers – 5/1
• Michael Carrick – 8/1
• Liam Manning – 12/1

Hellberg pursuit falters

Swansea had reportedly held talks with Hammarby IF head coach Kim Hellberg in London last week, but Sky Sports report that Middlesbrough are now actively pursuing the 37‑year‑old.

Hellberg had been Swansea’s number one target, but with Boro and Norwich also in the frame, the Swans may now be forced to look elsewhere.

Other contenders

Vitor Matos is a Portuguese coach who worked under Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool as Elite Development Coach, helping bridge the gap between academy prospects and the senior squad. He left Anfield in 2024 and has since taken charge of Marítimo in Portugal’s Liga 2, marking his first senior managerial role.

Gary O’Neil, meanwhile, is best known for keeping Bournemouth in the Premier League during the 2022/23 season before moving to Wolves, where he guided them to a 14th‑place finish and an FA Cup quarter‑final in his first campaign. The former Portsmouth midfielder has since left Molineux and is currently linked with Championship clubs including Southampton.

Related articles

• Swansea City step up pursuit of Swedish coach Kim Hellberg
• Could Brendan Rodgers be about to make a sensational Swansea City return?
• Swansea City sack head coach Alan Sheehan

#alanSheehan #garyOneil #kimHellberg #russellMartin #swanseaCityFc #swanseaCityManager #swanseaCityManagerOdds #vitorMatos