Matos contender for Swansea after Hellberg blow

Vitor Matos (right) worked under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool

Maritimo head coach Vitor Matos is among the contenders to become Swansea City boss with previous favourite Kim Hellberg strongly linked to Middlesbrough.

Swansea had been optimistic that Hellberg, boss of Swedish top-flight side Hammarby, was close to agreeing a move to south Wales.

But the Championship club has been forced to reassess its options after the Swede emerged as the preferred option at the Riverside.

Former boss Russell Martin is also open to a return to the Swans following spells with Southampton and Rangers.

The 39-year-old has a number of backers among Swansea's staff and squad from his time as head coach between 2021 and 2023 but there has been no approach from the club.

Swansea have spoken to a handful of managerial candidates since Alan Sheehan was sacked a week ago, despite the fact that Hellberg was the leading contender, including Matos.

The 37-year-old Portuguese has only been a head coach since June after taking over at Maritimo but has guided them to third in Portugal's second tier.

Matos was part of Porto's youth set-up before moving to Liverpool, where he was an elite development coach between 2019 and 2024.

He joined former Liverpool assistant boss Pep Lijnders at Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg but the duo were relieved of their duties after only six months in charge.

Matos, who studied for his pro licence with the Football Association of Wales, signed a two-year contract at Maritimo.

Swansea are preparing to face Bristol City on Saturday under the guidance of assistant head coach Darren O'Dea, first-team coaches Kristian O'Leary and Richard Stearman and head of goalkeeping Martyn Margetson.