Exclusive: Swansea City in advanced talks to appoint ex-Liverpool coach Vitor Matos
Swansea City are in advanced talks to appoint former Liverpool coach Vitor Matos as their new manager, sources have told Football Insider.
The 37-year-old is currently in charge at Liga Portugal 2 outfit Maritimo, but is now interested in the opportunity to return to English football.
Swansea have assessed a number of targets since Alan Sheehan was sacked on 11 November, and finally look to have found their next permanent boss.
Matos has led his side to third in the table after 11 games so far this season, having taken over in June after cutting his teeth as a coach under Jurgen Klopp and Pepijn Lijnders.
The Welsh side aim to have Matos’ appointment completed before the end of the international break, as they prepare to face Bristol City on 22 November.
Vitor Matos aims to guide Swansea up the league table
Swansea have endured a difficult start to the season so far, taking just four wins from their opening 15 games in the Championship.
They currently sit in 18th position and have won just one of their last eight games in all competitions, leading to their decision to dismiss Sheehan.
That is despite having held ambitions of a higher finish and potentially an outside shout at the playoffs after last season’s 11th-placed finish.
Despite their lowly league position, Swansea sit just six points shy of seventh-placed Ipswich Town and hope the appointment of Matos can reverse their fortunes.
Swansea set sights on Matos after top target blow
Swansea had appeared to be targeting Hammarby boss Kim Hellberg to take over at the Liberty Stadium, but he is now closing in on the Middlesbrough job.
Meanwhile, Russell Martin has been tipped as a shock contender to return to Swansea just over two years since leaving the club to take the Southampton role.
Martin was sacked by Rangers earlier this season after a dismal start to their Scottish Premiership campaign, but has been seeking an immediate return to management.
Swansea are not the only club to have been linked with the boss, as Football Insider revealed on 9 November that Norwich would sound out Martin over taking over there.
Meanwhile, the former Rangers boss could return to Southampton, with the Saints also considering their next move after parting ways with Will Still.
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