Swansea City sit atop the Championship after just eight matches, a surprise to many at season’s start.
Matos’ high‑press, energetic squad has delivered a superb opening, and it’s the quality of play that thrills him more than the points.
He says the style gives fans a good vibe; seeing the crowd happy is what they aimed for above all.
So far, it’s been good.
Almost a year in charge, Matos feels embraced by Swansea, and the city has embraced him, forging a true ‘Swansea way.’
He calls the town wonderful, noting its strong football culture was a key reason for his move and for the team’s closeness.
The owners and he wanted to revive the club’s traditional attacking identity—ball‑playing, dominant, aggressive, yet able to match any opponent.
Having that mindset already embedded makes cohesion effortless.
He’s proud to be part of a club with a clear identity that unites fans and defines its style.
History shows bright starts often fade in the Championship as the cramped schedule wears teams down.
Matos admits the real test is keeping Swansea’s level over a 46‑game grind.
It’s about mindset and willingness; when the approach becomes part of your DNA, you believe it’s the best way to win.
Once that belief becomes culture, success becomes attainable.
Challenges will arise, but the core principles must stay intact, he stresses.
Those principles trace back to Matos’ time at Liverpool.
He spent five years as an elite development coach under Jürgen Klopp.
‘I was lucky to work with Jürgen for that long,’ he says, adding that Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz also shaped him.
Training alongside top‑level players in the Premier League and Champions League forged his development.
He continues to learn, noting that exposure was pivotal to his growth.
Watching loan players in the Championship showed him the game’s technical and tactical rise across the board.
Klopp, now Germany’s manager, remains just a phone call away.
‘I have more questions for Jürgen than he does for me!’ Matos laughs.
He adds the bond with the Liverpool staff goes beyond football and stays strong.
Matos left Liverpool in 2024 to assist Lijnders at RB Salzburg, but returned to Portugal for his first senior role at Marítimo last June.
After five months, Swansea beckoned in November, bringing him back to English football—Welsh football, actually.
‘I always wanted this,’ he admits, noting timing never mattered.
His childhood love for English football only deepened after his Liverpool stint.
He never expected a specific timeline, but the desire was always there.
When values aligned between him, the club, and the owners, the decision became easy.
For a manager so young, his composure feels seasoned; he’s been chasing coaching since fifteen.
He says he rarely reflects on his progress day‑to‑day.
‘We live for the next match, training, drill, or interview,’ he explains, a common mindset among coaches.
‘I’m a young coach with a lot ahead, grateful for the luck that’s helped my career.’
‘Being healthy, having a family, and doing a job I love at this club feels like a perfect alignment.’
Swansea City certainly share his enthusiasm. Can they keep this momentum through the grueling season?