Matos on tactics, Klopp's influence, and taking Swans to top of the league
Swansea boss Vitor Matos spent five years as an elite development coach at Liverpool, but it would be unfair to paint him with a Jurgen Klopp-shaped brush entirely.
Vitor Matos took over as Swansea City manager in November 2025, following concerns about potential relegation. However, the team now sits atop the Championship just 10 games into the season. Matos, 38, brings a coaching background spanning 23 years across various continents and roles. Before his stint at Swansea, he worked under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool for five years, focusing on counter-pressing and intensity.
Matos emphasizes that Liverpool's influence was significant, particularly in instilling a mentality of belief in his tactical ideas. He also draws inspiration from his time coaching in Portugal and China, incorporating elements of positional play and strategic formations. Matos' primary goals are to build team confidence, make players trust each other, and adopt a more aggressive style of play.
He opts for a back-four formation, prioritizing consistency and the team's ability to press relentlessly. Matos believes in tailoring his approach to the players at his disposal, understanding their strengths and weaknesses to effectively implement his system. Swansea's success this season can be attributed to the implementation of these principles, which have been honed under Matos' guidance.
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