Swansea appoint ex-Liverpool coach Matos

Vitor Matos only took his first managerial role in June at Maritimo

Swansea City have appointed Vitor Matos as their head coach on a four-year contract.

The former Liverpool elite development coach joins from Portuguese second-tier club Maritimo, where he only took his first senior managerial role in June.

Swansea sacked Alan Sheehan earlier this month and, after missing out on Middlesbrough-bound Kim Hellberg, the Championship strugglers turned to Matos.

The 37-year-old was at Ashton Gate on Saturday to watch the Swans' 3-0 defeat against Bristol City, leaving them 20th in the table.

"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," said Swansea chief executive Tom Gorringe.

"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."

Sheehan's former assistant boss Darren O'Dea, who was in temporary charge last weekend, along with fellow coach Richard Stearman, will leave Swansea following Matos' appointment.

In a statment the club said they are working with Matos on finalising a backroom staff that "provides the support and expertise to give him the best chance of being successful".

Club legend Leon Britton has joined the coaching team on a short-term basis, while Joe Allen will also assist with the transition.