- by Quentin Flambé
- on 18 Nov, 2025
When Swansea City dismissed interim manager Alan Sheehan around November 10, 2025, the club expected a swift, decisive rebuild. Instead, they got chaos. Just days after identifying Kim Hellberg, the 37-year-old Swedish tactician from Hammarby IF, as their ideal candidate, Middlesbrough Football Club swooped in — and suddenly, Swansea’s plan crumbled. Now, with the Championship clash against Bristol City Football Club looming at the Swansea.com Stadium, the club has pivoted hard to Vitor Matos, the 35-year-old Portuguese coach who once helped mold Liverpool’s next generation under Jürgen Klopp.
The Collapse of a Plan
Swansea’s board had spent weeks narrowing down their list. Hellberg, who took over Hammarby IF in 2023, was the clear frontrunner. His record in Sweden’s Allsvenskan — attacking, structured, disciplined — matched what Swansea’s hierarchy wanted after years of inconsistent play under Sheehan. Talks were reportedly advancing in London during the week of November 11. Sources at jackarmy.net said there was "little evidence of serious interest in other candidates." The club even had a Plan B ready — just in case. But they never expected Middlesbrough to move so fast.By November 18, Sky Sports confirmed Middlesbrough was "actively pursuing" Hellberg. Norwich City, too, had expressed interest. Suddenly, the Swedish coach — once seen as Swansea’s safe, logical choice — became a prize too valuable to ignore. "Hellberg’s candidacy never seemed to fade once his name was mentioned," one Swansea fan told local media. "Now it’s like watching your favorite player get traded without warning."
Vitor Matos: The Quiet Architect from Anfield
Enter Vitor Matos. A former academy coach at Liverpool Football Club, Matos spent three years (2021–2024) as Elite Development Coach under Klopp. His job? Turn promising kids into first-team-ready players. He didn’t just train them — he understood their psychology, their pace, their positioning. He knew how to bridge the gap between youth and senior football — something Swansea desperately needs after years of mismanaging young talent.Now, he’s managing C.S. Marítimo in Portugal’s Liga 2 — his first senior role. But don’t let the lower division fool you. Championship News journalist Joseph confirmed on November 18 that "Matos and Swansea City are now in talks." The club’s scouts have been watching him closely. His methods, they believe, mirror Klopp’s intensity without the noise. And at 35, he’s young enough to grow with the club — not just ride out the season.
Other Names in the Frame
While Matos leads the chase, Swansea’s board hasn’t closed the door on others. Russell Martin, the 40-year-old former Swansea boss (2021–2023), is now the bookmakers’ favorite at evens odds. He led the club to a playoff push before his abrupt departure. His tenure at Rangers Football Club lasted just 123 days — the shortest in their history — but fans still remember his calm authority. Could he return? Possibly. The club’s hierarchy reportedly values his connection to the dressing room.Then there’s Gary O’Neil. The 41-year-old Englishman guided AFC Bournemouth to Premier League survival in 2022/23, then delivered a 14th-place finish and FA Cup quarter-final run at Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club. He’s available after leaving Molineux in October. His physical, high-pressing style could fit the Championship’s demands.
And don’t forget Michael Carrick. The former Middlesbrough Football Club manager (2024) is being quietly considered. Football FanCast reported Swansea’s hierarchy are "big fans of the former Boro boss." That’s a twist — Middlesbrough took Hellberg. Now they might be the source of Swansea’s next manager.
Pressure Mounts as Fixtures Loom
The clock is ticking. Swansea sits 17th in the Championship, just two points above the relegation zone. They’ve won just one of their last seven games. The fans are restless. The players are confused. Sheehan’s dismissal left a leadership vacuum — and now, after weeks of speculation, the club still hasn’t appointed a permanent head coach."We’re not asking for a messiah," said longtime supporter David Price, outside the Swansea.com Stadium last weekend. "We just want someone who knows what they’re doing. Someone who’s not just a name on a website. Someone who’ll show up on Monday and start fixing things."
What’s Next?
A decision is expected within 72 hours. Matos is reportedly flying to Wales for a meeting on November 20. If he accepts, he’ll be the first Portuguese manager in Swansea’s history — and the youngest since the club’s 2011 promotion to the Premier League.But if the talks stall? Expect Russell Martin to emerge as the emergency option. The club’s owners are wary of another short-term fix. They’ve seen it before — Sheehan was interim, then permanent, then gone in six weeks. This time, they want longevity. Stability. Identity.
Swansea’s next manager won’t just lead the team. They’ll define the next chapter. And for a club that once reached the Champions League semi-finals, that’s more than a job — it’s a restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Swansea abandon Kim Hellberg after he was their top choice?
Swansea didn’t abandon Hellberg — Middlesbrough actively pursued him, and he appears open to the move. Hellberg has built a strong reputation in Sweden’s Allsvenskan since 2023, making him a highly sought-after candidate. With Norwich also interested, the timing and financial offer likely tipped the balance. Swansea’s board realized they couldn’t compete and pivoted quickly to avoid another prolonged vacancy.
What makes Vitor Matos different from other candidates?
Matos isn’t a headline-grabbing manager — he’s a quiet architect. His three years under Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool gave him rare insight into developing young players for top-flight football. At C.S. Marítimo, he’s applying that philosophy in Liga 2. Unlike O’Neil or Martin, he brings a structured, long-term player development model — exactly what Swansea needs after years of reactive hiring and underdeveloped academy talent.
Could Russell Martin return to Swansea despite his short Rangers stint?
Yes — and many fans believe he should. Martin’s first spell at Swansea (2021–2023) was marked by tactical clarity and strong team cohesion, leading them to the Championship playoffs. His 123-day Rangers tenure was a disaster, but it was fueled by external chaos, not poor management. Swansea’s board values his familiarity with the club’s culture, and his return would be seen as a stabilizing move — not a gamble.
How urgent is this managerial decision for Swansea’s survival in the Championship?
Extremely. Swansea has won just one of their last seven league games and sits just two points above the relegation zone. With no permanent manager, training sessions lack direction, and players are unsure of their roles. The upcoming match against Bristol City on November 23 is a critical test — a loss could spark fan protests and further erode confidence. A new manager needs to be in place before then to restore structure and morale.
Is Vitor Matos experienced enough to manage in the Championship?
He’s never managed at this level — but experience isn’t always about titles. Matos spent years refining player development at Liverpool, one of the world’s most demanding clubs. He’s worked with elite talent under Klopp, understands high-pressure environments, and is now leading C.S. Marítimo in Liga 2. Many top managers — like Guardiola and Tuchel — started with youth systems. Swansea’s board believes his tactical intelligence and developmental mindset outweigh his lack of senior experience.
What does this mean for Swansea’s academy prospects?
If Matos takes over, it signals a major shift. He’s proven he can transition academy players into first-team contributors — something Swansea has failed at for years. Players like 18-year-old midfielder Kian Best and 19-year-old striker Ethan Toms, who’ve been stuck in the reserves, could get their chance under his system. This isn’t just about results — it’s about rebuilding the club’s identity from the ground up.