Swansea to appoint Matos as Maritimo confirm move

Vitor Matos helped Liverpool win one Premier League title, one FA Cup and two League Cups during his spell at Anfield

Swansea City are close to appointing Vitor Matos as their new head coach, with his current club Maritimo confirming his departure.

Former Liverpool elite development coach Matos emerged as Swansea's top target after they missed out on Kim Hellberg, who is poised to take over at Middlesbrough.

Matos, 37, has only been a head coach since taking over at Portuguese second-tier club Maritimo in June.

But having failed to appoint Hellberg, Swansea have decided Matos is the best candidate to succeed Alan Sheehan, who was sacked last week.

Matos is expected to be at Ashton Gate on Saturday to watch the Swans' Championship fixture against Bristol City (12:30 GMT).

In a statement on Instagram, Maritimo said: "Coach Vitor Matos will leave CS Marítimo to take charge of Swansea City, after the club activated a €1 million (£881,900) release clause on Friday.

"The green-and-red club expresses its sincerest gratitude for the professionalism, dedication, and contribution he made during his time serving Marítimo.

"We wish Vitor Matos the greatest personal and professional success for his future."

Matos, who hails from Portugal, worked in Porto's youth set-up before joining Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool staff in 2019.

He spent five years at Anfield before leaving the Merseyside giants alongside Klopp and assistant boss Pep Lijnders in 2024.

Matos then joined Red Bull Salzburg as number two to Lijnders, but the duo were relieved of their duties by the Austrian club 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 in the summer.

Maritimo, who were relegated from Portugal's top division in 2023 after almost four decades at the highest level, finished 12th last season, but currently sit third having won six of their 11 league games under Matos.

Swansea are thought to have spoken to a handful of potential bosses since Sheehan's exit, but former head coach Russell Martin was not among them.

Martin was interested in returning to Wales, but Swansea's hierarchy opted against speaking to the former Southampton and Rangers boss.