Good evening and welcome to the Swansea.com Stadium as we host Derby County.
We always enjoy being on home turf but tonight is a particularly special moment as Vitor Matos, our new head coach, takes charge of our team for the first time.
It has been a very busy couple of weeks as we have looked to conduct a thorough recruitment process in a short space of time, and it quickly became clear following our discussions with Vitor that he would be an excellent fit for Swansea City.
As you would expect in the circumstances we spoke to several candidates, but the clarity and detail of Vitorâs presentation when it came to helping us develop and improve on and off the pitch made him the stand-out candidate and we are delighted to have him on board.
He has worked in football for the best part of two decades, and has a clear commitment to playing high-energy, attacking football, and having a clear on-field identity that can bring team and supporters together; something that has always been key to the success this club has enjoyed.
It was, of course, a very difficult decision to part ways with Alan Sheehan, as well as Darren OâDea and Richard Stearman. Their work ethic and tireless efforts for this club could not be questioned, and Alan deserves tremendous credit for guiding us through two difficult periods as interim boss.
I have no doubt they will go on to have successful careers in the future, and we wish them and their families well.
But the nature of football is we now have to look to the future, we hope Vitor can bring stability and help us build and improve as he becomes the latest in a line of hungry, young coaches the club has backed over the last two decades and more.
Off the pitch, we were very pleased to recently open our new sports bar âThe Swansea Jackâ in the city centre.
I am sure those of you who have visited already will have been impressed by the set-up there, particularly the design which makes reference to so much of Swansea Cityâs rich history and heritage.
We hope the venue will become a home away from home for supporters, and we look forward to seeing you there for a pint of âGolden Boyâ or âDrop it like itâs Hopsâ at some point.
You will also have seen that our ownership group have pledged to provide free travel to supporters wishing to attend our Boxing Day fixture at Coventry.
The cost of tickets for away fans at the CBS Arena has been a talking point of late, and as a club we share the opinion that the prices are excessive, and we have made Coventry aware of our views.
Brett and Jason wanted to try and ensure as many fans as possible can attend on a day that is a special part of the football calendar. You can find more information about this on the club website, and packages will become available when tickets for the game go on sale.
Looking towards another of our Christmas fixtures, we have also had the exciting news that our game against Wrexham on December 19 will be shown at Cosm, the immersive sports-viewing venue where a state-of-the-art LED Dome will bring the atmosphere of the Swansea.com Stadium to a Los Angeles audience. The venue is known for showing the biggest sporting events from across the world so to have them working with us on this game and further fixtures in the future is a testament to the increased global interest that we are generating.
But that is all to come, for now letâs focus on giving a warm Swansea welcome to our new head coach as he embarks on what we hope will be an exciting new era for the club.
Enjoy the game YJBs,
Tom Gorringe
CEO, Swansea City
Good evening everyone and thank you very much for the warm welcome you have all given me ahead of this first game since joining Swansea City.
I am very proud and honoured to have been given the opportunity to be the head coach of this special club.
Tonight marks the starting point for all of us in this journey we are going to go on together.
I want to say thank you to Tom Gorringe and our ownership group for putting their faith in me, I am very excited but also know the responsibility that is on us to make sure we take the right steps.
For me, whenever I have thought of Swansea City, I have always though of a club and a team that has a very clear and very strong identity. It is something that distinguished the club from every other, and it was a key part of the DNA.
This will take time and it will take a lot of hard work from all of us together. But, if we do this as one then we have the chance to produce something which we can be proud of.
In the end we want to become a dominant team, with and without the ball. To be aggressive when we are pressing, and aggressive when we are attacking with the ball.
That is what you can expect and that is what we want to deliver.
We realise the most important thing is that we need to deliver results and we need to fight for points, that's clear.
We also know that we need to have desire, we need to have hunger, and we need to increase the intensity. We need to start making steps to become a team that will help us have the connection where you feel that you are a part of us, and that we feel a part of you.
That starts tonight and I hope you enjoy the game.
VĂtor Matos,
First Team Head Coach
Good evening and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for this midweek fixture against Derby County.
We come into this game following a heavy 3â0 defeat on the road at Bristol City. Theyâre a side pushing for automatic promotion, but even acknowledging their quality, the result was disappointing. Supporters were right to expect more from the players, regardless of the opposition. We know this squad is capable of better than what we saw at Ashton Gate.
Of course, the big talking point this week is the confirmation that VĂtor Matos has become our new head coach, - as just officially announced by the Club as Iâm writing these programme notes, HERE.
His arrival has generated plenty of debate online. As with any new appointment, especially mid-season, thatâs completely natural.
Matos arrives with impressive coaching pedigree. Not only did he serve under JĂźrgen Klopp at Liverpool during one of the most successful periods in the clubâs history, he has also previously held coaching roles at Red Bull Salzburg and Porto. These are big clubs known for developing players, embedding clear tactical identities and, most importantly, winning football matches.
Every managerial appointment carries risk. Even experienced, successful coaches are not guaranteed success. Just ask Manchester United fans. While itâs fair to say that Matos isnât exactly a household name in these parts, this is a club that has rolled the diced on unknown managers before â and with great success.
Matos certainly fits the desired profile of a Swansea head coach. His MarĂtimo side play front-foot, attacking football built on aggressive pressing and fast transitions. That doesnât sound a million miles from Kloppâs Liverpool.
For a club like Swansea City, whose supporters place huge value on identity and intent, that is an encouraging starting point. Entertaining the fanbase is also clearly important to him. As The Athletic recently reported him saying: âI want to create a feeling where every supporter is excited about the next game. I want them to be already thinking about the next game when they leave our stadium and be waiting for that moment.â
That sentiment will resonate with many in our fanbase. If Matos can build that anticipation and connection â on and off the pitch â heâll be a success here in Swansea. He also inherits a squad with talent, even if it is one low on confidence at present. But a fresh tactical approach is sometimes all that is needed to break a team out of a rut. That said, success wonât happen overnight. Patience will be needed â in the stands, in the dressing room and in the boardroom.
Thankfully, the short-term fixture list looks fairly favourable. After tonightâs match against Derby, currently sitting 12th, we face West Brom (17th), Oxford (21st) and Portsmouth (19th). All of them are winnable, even with our recent form. A few positive results could quickly change the mood and give Matos a platform to build from.
Away from the pitch, can we thank everyone who has booked to come along to our sold-out Quiz Night which is taking place on Thursday December 4 at 7pm at the Penderyn Distillery. Itâs always a fun and sociable evening, with teams competing for bragging rights and some great prizes.
Whether youâre a seasoned quizzer or simply fancy a night out with fellow Swans fans, weâre looking forward to what should be a great event with all profits going towards the amazing work carried out by our 2025 Charity of the Year Faith in Families
Enjoy the game. Letâs get behind the team and ensure that the Matos era gets off to the best possible start.
Paul
Swansea City is delighted to confirm the appointment of VĂtor Matos as the clubâs new head coach.
The 37-year-old arrives from MarĂtimo on a contract through to the summer of 2029 and will take charge of Tuesdayâs fixture against Derby County.
Matos was identified as the standout choice for the role, and was selected for his ability to implement a high-intensity, possession-based style of play.
His appointment continues Swanseaâs long record of providing opportunities and backing to ambitious, technically-focused young coaches, and Matos was the outstanding candidate from those the club interviewed during what was a thorough but concise recruitment process.
Swansea City CEO Tom Gorringe, said: âWe spoke to a range of candidates and Vitor was the clear stand-out with a cohesive plan of how to take our squad forward and improve.
âVitor 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.
âHe 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.â
As part of a ongoing feature in our digital matchday programme for the 2025-26 campaign, we are calling on all Swans fans to share their memories and experiences of supporting the club this season by submitting your stories and pictures. We will publish a selection over the course of the season, and you can share your stories with us through the link below.
Swansea City fans planning to make the trip to Coventry City for our Boxing Day fixture can take advantage of free coach travel, courtesy of club owners Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen who will personally cover the cost of the transport.
Brett, Jason and the rest of the board are hugely appreciative of the efforts the Jack Army go to in supporting our team home and away, and have seen first hand the hundreds of miles, early starts and late nights supporters put in following the Swans.
With Boxing Day being such a special part of the sporting calendar, and acknowledging and sharing in supporter frustrations at ticket prices for this fixtures, they want to help as many Swans fans as possible attend the game at the CBS Arena.
We therefore hope that providing free travel will make the trip more affordable for all of our supporters at what is already an expensive time of year.
We also hope that this gesture will lessen the number of people who will miss out on watching the Swans on this popular day of the festive football calendar.
Free coach travel will be made available to claim at the same time as tickets for this fixture go on sale. Further details will be confirmed in due course.
The start of the 2025-26 season marks 20 years since Swansea City moved into our Swansea.com Stadium home.
To mark the anniversary, club historian Gwyn Rees is profiling members of the first Swans squad to grace the stadium during the 2005-06 campaign. This time, he looks at the career of Leon Britton, a symbol of one of the greatest periods in our club's history and someone who will be in the dugout for tonight's game.
Long before he would grace the Vetch Field and Swansea.com Stadium, proving the heartbeat of a string of Swansea sides during an astonishing climb from the foot of League Two to the Premier League, London-born Leon Britton was something of a schoolboy prodigy.
A member of the England Development set-up at Lilleshall, he left school and formerly signed for Arsenal, where he had been since the age of nine.
In 1998 West Ham United signed him in a deal worth ÂŁ400,000; a record at that time for a 16-year-old.
However, he was unable to break into the first team with the Hammers and, in December 2002, agreement was reached for him to join the Swans on loan.
Britton joined a club that had none of the creature comforts or facilities of a top-flight outfit, and was in a desperate fight to avoid relegation out of the Football League.
Though small in stature, and playing in a league were the challenges could be robust to say the least, the playerâs bravery and ability on the ball were a major plus-point for the struggling. Such was his impact that supporters even took part in bucket collections on the old North Bank to contribute towards paying his wages to keep him in south Wales.
Britton would be part of the side that retained Football League status with victory over Hull, winning the penalty for the first goal of James Thomasâ famous hat-trick in a 4-2 win.
The player returned to his parent club at the end of his loan period, but manager Brian Flynn was only too happy to sign him on a permanent deal once it was realised that West Ham were going to release him from his contract.
With Britton in the side, along with the likes of Lee Trundle, Garry Monk, Alan Tate and Andy Robinson, the Swans had the nucleus of a team that would win promotion out of League Two and League One into the Championship under Kenny Jackett and Roberto Martinez respectively.
Along with these promotions Britton could also claim a Football League Trophy medal, two Welsh Premier Cup successes, as well as twice being voted the Swansâ player of the year.
So, it was something of a surprise to supporters when, at the end of the 2009-2010 season he rejected the offer of a new contract, becoming a free agent and signing for Championship rivals Sheffield United.
However, fortunately for the Swans, the move never worked out for the player.
He found it hard to settle with the Blades changing manager more than once during his six months and 26 appearances for the Yorkshire club.
A return to the then Liberty Stadium was what the midfielder hoped for and, with the acquiescence of future Swansea chairman Trevor Birch â then at Bramall Lane â the move was done.
The player picked up from where he left off; it was as if Britton had never left the club.
He would be central to the side reaching the Championship play-off final against Reading, scoring a rare and stunning goal to help seal semi-final success against Nottingham Forest.
Britton was also prominent in the 4-2 win over the Royals at Wembley as Swansea became the first Welsh club to reach the Premier League, and he went from strength to strength.
Swansea's first season in the Premier League saw the side surprise a number of pundits by enjoying success with their possession-based style of play, and Britton was an integral figure and at one point boasted better pass statistics than Xavi and Andres Iniesta, the fulcrums of Pep Guardiolaâs wonderful Barcelona teams.
Swansea kicked on again, Britton helping the club secure a first major honour and qualify for Europe thanks to a 5-0 League Cup final win over Bradford at Wembley in February 2013.
A brave effort saw the club progress out of the group stages on the Europa League, with results including a famous 3-0 win at the Mestalla, home of former Champions League finalists Valencia, before a narrow knockout stage exit to Italian giants Napoli.
Britton remained an important figure and, while his amount of game time began to lessen, the importance of his presence was underlined in the role he played in beating relegation from the Premier League under Paul Clement in 2017; the midfielder distributing DVDs of the clubâs history to his team-mates to underline the importance of what they were playing for.
When Clement was relieved of his duties later the same year, it was Britton who stepped up as caretaker manager.
Sadly there would be no happy ending to a difficult season and, with relegation confirmed in May 2018, Britton made the decision to retire from the professional game and end 16 years of manning the Swansea midfield.
His tally of 532 competitive games for the club puts him fifth in the all-time appearance list, while he is in a select band of players who have represented the club in all divisions of the Football League and the Premier League.
He has worked at the club in backroom roles such as football advisor to the board, and as Sporting Director, before recently stepping down from his role as academy player mentor.
Britton has been an iconic figure in the clubâs recent history, and his name will surely rank among the finest of servants of this football club for many, many years to come.
Initially founded in 1884 as an offshoot of the Derbyshire County Cricket Club, the club is one of 12 founder members of the Football League and one of just 10 clubs who have never been relegated out of the Football League system.
The 1970s provided something of a heyday for the club. They won the top-flight title twice in that decade and reached the European Cup semi-finals. Their sole FA Cup win came in 1946.
In the entirety of their 140-year history, they have only been outside of the top two flights for six seasons in total, and they returned to the second tier by securing promotion from League One at the end of the 2023-24 season.
PRIDE PARK
Built: 1997
Location: Derby, DE24 8XL
Capacity: 33,597
John Eustace joined the Rams in February and played a crucial role in guiding them to safety. When he arrived, Derby sat just above the relegation zone on goal difference, but under his leadership, they secured survival on the final day of the season, finishing 19th - one point clear of 22nd place Luton Town. After a slow start to this term, they have enjoyed an excellent recent run.
Eustace enjoyed a long-playing career, with the midfielder making over 390 league appearances for several different clubs.
His most successful spell came at Watford, where he made 157 league appearances, scored 16 goals, and was captain of the club for three seasons before leaving for Derby County.
Eustace started his managerial career in 2016, when he was appointed manager of National League side Kidderminster Harriers. He led the side to two play-off campaigns while transforming their style of play.
Eustace then left the club to join Queens Park Rangers where he would become assistant to former England manager Steve McClaren.
He also had a brief spell as caretaker manager at the R's and helped them avoid relegation in 2019.
He was then appointed head coach of Championship side Birmingham City in 2022 where he guided the club to their highest points tally since 2016.
Eustace left the club in October 2023 with the Blues in sixth place with 18 points from 11 matches, before being appointed by Rovers four months later.
He did an outstanding job to turn the Lancashire side into top-six contenders, before deciding to move to the Rams.
Summer recruit Lewis Travis was brought in by Eustace from his former club Blackburn Rovers and was given the captaincy soon after being reunited with John Eustace at Pride Park.
Travis initially emerged at Liverpool as a defender, but transitioned to a midfield role under Tony Mowbray after joining Blackburn's academy in 2014.
He made his senior debut three years later, in an EFL Trophy defeat to Stoke City Under-21s and fully broke into the first team 18 months later.
Travis had his first taste of senior captaincy in September 2021 after Darragh Lenihan was missing through injury, before being appointed Blackburn club captain the following summer, four months after signing a long-term contract until 2026.
Travis made over 200 league appearances for Rovers during his decade at the club, whilst also having a short loan spell during the second half of the 2023-24 season where he joined Ipswich Town, helping them reach the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.
He then got his move to Pride Park to reunite with his old manager Eustace in August, and has so far made seven league appearances for the Rams.
Matt Clarke has been a rock in the Ramsâ defence this season, playing every minute of their league campaign so far.
Suffolk-born Clarke joined Ipswichâs academy at under-seven level and progressed through the ranks before signing a scholarship in 2013. He made his first-team debut the following summer and signed his first professional contract in September 2014.
The defender then joined Portsmouth following a successful loan spell, making over 120 league appearances for Pompey. He formed a solid partnership with current Swans central defender Cameron Burgess and helped the club secure the 2016â17 League Two title.
Clarke then secured a big move to Brighton & Hove Albion but did not make a senior appearance for the Seagulls. During his time on the south coast, he had two loan spells â first at Derby, where he won the clubâs Player of the Season award, and then at West Bromwich Albion during the 2021â22 season.
A two and a half year spell at Middlesbrough followed, before rejoining Derby in the January 2025 transfer window.
Callum Elder has been one of the Ramsâ highest-rated players this season, and boasts no shortage of EFL experience.
The left-back was born in Sydney, Australia where he played his football up until the age of 16 before joining Leicester City in 2013.
Without making a senior appearance for the Foxes, Elder spent his early career gaining experience through several loan spells, representing Mansfield Town, Peterborough United, Brentford, Barnsley, Wigan Athletic, and Ipswich Town.
The defender earned a permanent move in 2019, joining Championship side Hull City, where he was reunited with former manager Grant McCann, whom he had previously played under at Peterborough United. Elder went on to make 115 league appearances over nearly four years with the Tigers.
Elder joined the Rams in the summer of 2023 and played a key role in their promotion to the Championship, as Derby finished League One runners-up in his debut season. He has also opened his account for the club this campaign, scoring in a 5-3 defeat to Coventry City back in August.
The Australian has one senior cap for his country, which came in a 3-0 friendly victory over China back in 2021.
Carlton Morris is among the leading goalscorers in the Championship this season, with 10 goals to his name in 16 appearances so far.
The forward signed from Luton last summer, after spending three years with the Hatters, helping them reach the Premier League for the first time in their history.
An academy graduate of Norwich City, the forward had several loan spells during his time at Carrow Road, including with Oxford, York, Hamilton, Rotherham, Shrewsbury, Rotherham again and MK Dons; playing under former Swans bosses Russell Martin and Luke Williams at the latter.
Morris joined Barnsley in January 2021 and featured in both legs of their play-off semi-final defeat to Swansea during the 2020â21 season.
The 29-year-old joined Luton in the summer of 2022, and went on to make over a century of appearances at Kenilworth Road, scoring 20 goals in their Premier League promotion winning season and left the club after their relegation to League One at the end of the 2024-25 season.
If todayâs date is anything to go by, this eveningâs match would be a banker for anyone who still plays the traditional Football Pools.
The above statement is likely to prompt at least a couple of questions.
For many younger fans, their query will be âwhatâs the Football Pools?â
Back in the day, the âPoolsâ, as they were popularly known, were your biggest chance to win life-changing sums of money.
Every week, millions of people would fill in their pools coupons, hoping their predictions of the football results would win them a fortune.
The Holy Grail for pools punters was truffling out score draws and no score draws from that weekâs football fixtures, as they would help earn the best chance of scooping a big money pay out.
At their peak, more than 10 million people played the pools every week. The biggest individual win came in 2010 when a prison officer from Scotland won just over ÂŁ3million.
However, the advent of the National Lottery and other forms of gambling saw the pools decline in popularity.
So, why would a Swans match being played on November 25 be of interest to the few hundred thousand who still do the pools?
Well, today happens to be my birthday, and a few years ago I decided to look back at how many times the Swans had played on the date of my birth during my lifetime.
I wanted to see whether we were more or less likely to win on my birthday.
My research threw up some interesting facts and figures from yesteryear.
At first glance, the results donât look good.
In the 12 league games that have been played on November 25 since I was born, the Swans have only won once.
However, our league record on November 25 is not quite as bleak as it may first appear.
Although weâve only won once on my birthday, the records show that weâve also only lost once on my birthday â November 25, 1989, when we were beaten 2-0 at Bristol Rovers in Division Three.
All 10 of the other league matches played on my birthday since 1966 have been drawn. Hence my comment about the football pools.
While Iâm delighted for all those pools punters who may have benefited from any of those draws, I really would like to celebrate my birthday with three points!
The Swansâ only league win on my birthday was November 25, 1967 â the date of my very first birthday!
Thatâs right, the one time the Swans have ever won a league match on my big day, I would have been pretty much oblivious to the occasion.
On that day, we beat Port Vale 4-2 in the old Fourth Division in front of a 4,827 crowd at the Vetch. Keith Todd scored twice, while Herbie Williams and Geoff Thomas bagged the others.
The last time we played on November 25, I thought I was guaranteed to finally celebrate with three points.
Two years ago today, Hull City were the visitors here. The Swans could hardly have got off to a better start.
Goals from Jamie Paterson and Jerry Yates put the home side 2-0 up after just 23 minutes and I thought I was well on my way to the perfect football-related present.
However, the visitors were intent on being party poopers as they hit back in the second half. Jaden Philogene and Tyler Morton netted to ensure the game finished in the almost obligatory draw.
This, however, wasnât the best comeback witnessed on my birthday. That accolade belongs to a remarkable League Two match at Cambridge United in 2000.
The Swans were 3-0 down after just 36 minutes and that was still the score until the 76th minute when Giovanni Savarase pulled one back.
The much-travelled Venezuela international grabbed another in the 89th minute before Steve Watkin completed an incredible comeback 60 seconds later.
These matches arenât guaranteed to be high-scoring draws, but one or two of the goalless stalemates have been pretty memorable.
For example, a 0-0 draw with Liverpool in 2012 which lifted the Swans to eighth place in the Premier League.
The match saw manager Brendan Rodgers return to Swansea for the first time since leaving the club in May of that year.
Another returnee that day was Joe Allen, who played a big part in keeping the match scoreless by clearing an Ashley Williams header off the line.
Williams had been in the news during the run up to the match for comments he had made in his autobiography about wanting to âknock outâ Liverpoolâs Luis Suarez during the previous seasonâs match at Anfield and accusing the Uruguayan of diving.
But before you start writing off the possibility of anything other than a drawn game today, if you include cup matches played on this date, thereâs a slightly different story.
The Swans have played three cup matches on November 25 and they won them all comfortably.
In 1987, we won 4-0 at Cwmbran in the Welsh Cup; 5-1 in the same competition against Caerleon at the Vetch in 1980 and 4-1 against Hillingdon Borough in the FA Cup back in 1978.
I particularly remember the Hillingdon game because they played in a similar kit to the distinctive Wales and Coventry City Admiral kits of the 1970s. The Swans scorers that day were Robbie James, Alan Waddle and Jeremy Charles, who netted twice.
So, in the 15 competitive matches the Swans have played on my birthday since 1966, they have lost just once, and have never lost at home.
Not a bad record when you look at it that way. Letâs hope the boys can make it even more impressive with a win tonight.
Câmon you Swans!
SWANS BIG SLEEP OUT RAISES OVER ÂŁ45,000 IN SUPPORT OF SWANSEA CITY FOUNDATION AND MATTHEW'S HOUSE
Tickets for Swansea Cityâs home match against Wrexham are now on sale to all Jack Army members.
The Swans host the Dragons at the Swansea.com Stadium on Friday, December 19 with kick-off at 8pm for the first time in the stadiumâs 20-year history, having last met at The Vetch Field in March 2003.
This match will mark the Swans final home match of the calendar year.
In line with the club's ticketing system, this game has been designated as a Category A fixture.
ORDER OF SALE
Monday, November 24 at 10am
All Jack Army members and International members
Wednesday, November 26 at 10am
General Sale
Swansea City is delighted to confirm the appointment of VĂtor Matos as the clubâs new head coach.
The 37-year-old arrives from MarĂtimo on a contract through to the summer of 2029 and will take charge of Tuesdayâs fixture against Derby County.
Matos was identified as the standout choice for the role, and was selected for his ability to implement a high-intensity, possession-based style of play.
His appointment continues Swanseaâs long record of providing opportunities and backing to ambitious, technically-focused young coaches, and Matos was the outstanding candidate from those the club interviewed during what was a thorough but concise recruitment process.
Swansea City CEO Tom Gorringe, said: âWe spoke to a range of candidates and Vitor was the clear stand-out with a cohesive plan of how to take our squad forward and improve.
âVitor 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.
âHe 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.â
âSwansea, for me, have always had a style. Something that distinguished the club from all the others,â he said.
âSomehow we have got a bit far away from what is the DNA of the club.
âSo it will take steps, it will take a bit of time, but I really believe we can take steps in the right direction.
âFor that, we will need everyone, the whole club, all the fans and us all to have the same vision.
âThatâs what I want. I see the fans are still behind and pushing the team, we will need them and I see players who want to change the momentum and we need to find the right idea and the right vision to do it.
âThatâs the most important thing. It is clear we need to win games and points, but we need to focus on the process and I really believe if we can play to our best then the more chances we will have to win. Thatâs the direction we need to have.â
It is a quick turnaround, with Matos having had a watching brief for the weekend defeat against Bristol City.
But he is looking forward to taking charge of the Swans on home turf, in front of supporters he wants to make sure feel connected to the team and vice versa.
âOne of the reasons I was so excited to come here was because of the fanbase. This is a place where that bond should be strong; the relationship between the fans, the coach and the team,â he added.
âWhen this bond is created it is massive, you can compete against everyone, you can win against everyone and that is what we need.
âWe need to start being this team that no-one wants to face. We need to start that at our home, our sacred place, and we need to create that, for sure.
âWe need to start delivering desire and hunger. We want to be a dominant team.
âI still havenât had a chance to work with all the players and that will be a starting point.
âBut itâs clear we want to be dominant with and without the ball, we want to be aggressive with and without the ball. Itâs clear in this league we will need control, physicality and speed.
âWe will work every day from now on to be this team, to be as dominant as we can, to press as well as we can, and counter-pressing will be massive in giving us the intensity and momentum, and something that will identify how we play.
âItâs important we all feel as a team that we are part of them, and that they feel they are part of us on the pitch and we create this connection.â
Matos brings experience of elite performance environments to south Wales, having spent five years as elite development coach at Liverpool under JĂźrgen Klopp and Pep Lijnders, during an era that included winning a Premier League title, a Club World Cup, the FA Cup and two League Cups.
He served as the tactical bridge between the academy and first team, aiding in the development of players like Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, Neco Williams, Sepp van den Berg and Jarell Quansah.
He began his coaching journey at FC Porto and spent time in China before his move to Anfield. Most recently, he took charge of MarĂtimo, where he quickly overhauled their playing style and guided them to the upper reaches of Liga Portugal 2.
Matos, who completed his âProâ Licence with the Football Association of Wales, first started working through his coaching badges when still in his teens.
The club is 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.
Additionally, Darren OâDea and Richard Stearman have left the club, we thank them for their efforts and wish them and their families well for the future.
Swansea City Under-18s claimed derby-day bragging rights in Leckwith with a 4-1 victory over Cardiff City in the Professional Development Cup.
A hat-trick from Billy Clarke, along with a late strike from the penalty spot from Callum Jones, sealed their second win of the group stage following a 2-0 home victory over Wrexham at Landore in October.
The Swans created plenty of chances in a dominant first half, with the only frustration being that they didnât take a larger lead into the break.
They found their attacking rhythm after the break, doubling their lead five minutes into the second half before adding two more late on to seal the victory.
Cardiff found a consolation goal in added time, but were limited to clear-cut chances throughout the game by an organised Swansea defence.
The Swans carved out the first chance inside five minutes, with Lukas Murphy cutting inside and unleashing a powerful effort that was well saved by Sam Jones.
The Swans continued to create chances as the half went on, with the Bluebirds goalkeeper called into action once again to make two big saves, denying Jack May and Jones following a corner.
Their pressure finally told in the 27th minute, as Jones drove down the left, beat his man, and squared for Clarke to tap in from close range to open the scoring for the Swans.
C. Jones remained a constant threat, cutting past his marker on the left and driving a low strike toward the bottom corner, only to see it cannon off the crossbar.
A late chance fell to the hosts to equalise, with Jack Sykes cutting the ball back to Leeyon Phelan, but his strike from 12 yards drifted just wide of the post.
Swansea came flying out of the blocks and doubled their lead when a ball across the box found Clarke, who made no mistake in steering it past Jones at the far post.
As the game ticked past the hour mark, the Bluebirds had a chance to halve the deficit when Tiger Tobin found space in the area, but his low effort was gathered comfortably by Tom Wright.
Just minutes later, the Swans came close to a third as a goal-line clearance from the Bluebirds denied Alfie Jones from close range.
With ten minutes remaining, Clarke completed his hat-trick, meeting a ball into the box from Harvey Gray and slotting it past Jones for his third goal.
C. Jones added a fourth for the Swans with five minutes to play, calmly converting a penalty after being fouled in the area.
Cardiff grabbed a late consolation in added time, as Olly Reynolds headed past Wright, the only blemish on an otherwise superb performance from Swansea.
Swansea City Under-18s: Tom Wright, Ben Phillips (Kaven Bloniarczyk 65), Wahab Ojetoro (Caio Ifans 73), Milo Robinson, Jack May, Brogan Popham, Billy Clarke, Callum Jones, Lukas Murphy (Harvey Gray 60), Bobo Evans (Harlan Perry 60), Callum Jones.
Substitutes: Jakub Nowak.
Swansea City Under-21s made it back-to-back wins in the Premier League Cup with a 2-1 victory over Millwall on Friday evening.
Caleb Demery was handed his first start for five months after an injury sustained in the summer, and he capped it off by opening the scoring in the first-half.
Morgan Bates won and converted a penalty to double the Swans' lead, but the two-goal lead lasted minutes when Jack Howland sliced home a consolation goal for the Lions.
The Swans had the first chance with just one minute on the clock. Yori Griffith seeing his curling effort bounce wide from Sam Parker's lay-off.
Down the other end, Millwall's Sheldon Kendall rattled the woodwork with a low strike.
The hosts almost took the lead in the 13th minute when Thomas Woodward headed on target from a Pescatore free-kick, but Caspar Jackson was equal from close range.
But Swansea took the lead four minutes later through Demery, making no mistake to finish off from a Griffith pass - his second in as many games.
The Lions looked to level immediately after the restart, only for Kendall's powerful strike to go high and wide.
Swansea were rewarded a penalty on the half-hour mark, and it was cooly slotted away by Morgan Bates for his eighth goal of the season.
The scoreline was halved just minutes later when Millwall's Howland was found in space in the box, and drilled the ball in to the bottom corner to bring the Lions back in to contention.
Before the break, Griffith's - who had been causing trouble for the visitor's backline - mazy run ended with hit shot steer just wide. Moments later, the 18-year-old threatened the Millwall goal once again, forcing Jackson into a diving save with his strike.
With seconds to play before the half-time whistle, Iestyn Jones produced two crucial clearances off the line to keep the Swans ahead at the interval.
Griffith continued his fine form in the second period, fending off three Millwall defenders before sending his effort wide from outside the box.
The game became an even affair approaching the hour mark, with Millwall looking more lively and attacking in numbers.
A strong driving run from Woodward sent him on his way goalward, only for his final touch to land in the hands of the Millwall stopper.
Swansea City Under-21s: Evan Anderson, Sam Parker, Sebastian Dabrowski, Dan Watts, Iestyn Jones, Carter Heywood, Josh Pescatore (Ramon Rees-Siso 60), Thomas Woodward, Morgan Bates (Callum Deacon 70), Yori Griffith (Thomas Searle 90), Caleb Demery (Harlan Perry 70).
Substitutes: Thomas Wright.
Swansea City Women booked their place in the last 16 of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup with a 3-1 victory over Aberystwyth Town at Park Avenue.
The Swans came racing out of the blocks, with Aimee Deacon netting her 10th goal of the season in the 17th minute. A first goal of the campaign from Maddy Murray then doubled the lead just one minute before the break, sending the Swans into half-time two goals ahead.
A third goal was added six minutes into the second half, as a signature long-range effort from Chloe Chivers beat goalkeeper Sophie Steele to all but ensure the victory.
Aberystwyth did pull a goal back through Millie Gardner in the final 10 minutes, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation.
The game had started cagily, with the first real effort on goal coming 10 minutes in when Alaw Hughes fired over the bar from distance for the hosts.
The deadlock was broken seven minutes later, after a long ball into the area was only cleared as far as Deacon, who made no mistake in slotting past Steele.
The Swans continued to look the more dangerous side going forward, with the wind in their favour during the first half. Chivers looked to take advantage, striking an audacious 35-yard free-kick that forced Steele to parry behind for a corner.
During the latter stages of the half, chances continued to fall for Swansea. Chivers played Taite Trivett through, giving her the option to square the ball to Deacon or go for goal herself. She chose the latter, but her effort was straight at Steele, who held it comfortably.
But the Swans did double their lead a minute before the break, as Murray rose to meet a Chivers corner and guided a powerful header into the net.
Swansea started the second half as positively as they ended the first and soon found a third goal through Chivers, whose signature long-range strike flew into the top-left corner, leaving Steele with no chance.
As the half went on, the Swans didnât let up and continued to chase more goals, with Murray nearly getting her second of the afternoon after Emily Thomas delivered a cross into the area.
Chivers continued to threaten during the final 20 minutes. The midfielder once again tried to catch Steele out from 30 yards, but the goalkeeper was equal to it, making the save and holding the strike.
The Seasiders did manage to find a goal with 10 minutes to play, after a free-kick from the right-hand side was delivered by Libby Isaac to the far post. Substitute Gardner brought it down well before releasing a low strike into the far corner, beating Amelia Forkings and denying the Swans a clean sheet but not a place in the next round.
Swansea City Women: Amelia Forkings, Maddy Murray, Steph Turner (Emily Richards 46), Sammy Wynne (Eilish Mitchell 46), Aimee Deacon, Chloe Chivers, Stacey John (Emily Thomas 50), Ellie Lake, Taite Trivett, Caitlin Williams (Maisie Miller 50), Jessica Williams.
Aberystwyth Town Women: Sophie Steele, Rebecca Mathias, Lily Moralee-Hughes (Lowri James-Evans 75), Libby Isaac, Imogen Scourfield, Jessica Baker (Seren Evans 66), Ffiona Evans, Elan Jones (Sian Evans 57), Alaw Davies (Millie Gardner 57), Sioned Kersey, Paige Harvey (Dani Mawle 57).
Here we are again ⌠I havenât bothered counting the number of managers weâve had as a club in the 50-plus years Iâve been a fan, because really, here and now, it isnât important. All that matters today is that we have a new head coach and, like all of you no doubt, I want him to succeed â and to stay here long enough to build something meaningful.
So, welcome to Swansea City Vitor Matos, the new man charged with leading our team and getting the most out of a group of players which, letâs be fair, should not be playing for a side sitting in 20th spot in the Championship.
Matos talked in his first press conference yesterday of the need for a âresetâ and to have a âclear identityâ, which will be music to all our ears. However, the line that struck the biggest chord with me was when he said âthereâs potential in the squad ⌠I think we have a good squad, we need to build a teamâ.
Watching the game on the weekend against Bristol City, the previous game against Ipswich Town and many of those before, I thought the same. We had a good summer transfer window, one of our best in recent years, which meant much-needed investment in the squad, but for most of this season we havenât looked like a team.
If the people he has worked with say anything about Matosâ coaching pedigree, we can be assured that itâs an impressive one. No-one spends years working with the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Lijnders without learning and developing as a coach, and while the word âgambleâ has been used in relation to our new appointment, we should take heart from his associates and the experiences he has had coaching alongside them.
In a recent interview with Gregg Evans of The Athletic, Matos described every day of the five years he spent with Klopp and his Liverpool team as a âmasterclassâ. He spoke about the special connection between the city and the fans: âI felt a special feeling from the first minute. The city breathes the club and the club breathes the city.â
Iâm not sure that all football clubs and the town or city theyâre located in could be described like that, but I feel that resonates with us here in Swansea, almost as much as another quote from that interview: âSometimes the most important moments are created when youâre struggling.â
That was a reference to the derailing of Liverpoolâs title defence in 2020-21, but equally it could apply to us in November 2025. Somehow, the wheels have come off the bus and we find ourselves hurtling in the wrong direction down a road and we need to put the brakes on and get ourselves back on the right track - fast.
We also know that any new coach needs time to work with the players, implement his philosophy and bond with the fanbase. Iâm hoping thatâs where Leon Britton and Joe Allen come in, because they can certainly help to speed some of those essentials up.
The reaction from the fanbase to their inclusion to the coaching team during this period of âtransitionâ was significant. Both know the club, theyâve played during key periods in our history and crucially, they understand what it means to be a part of Swansea City â they share the DNA of the club.
As this new combination of coaches gets to work, letâs give them our full and unwavering support and hope that Matos and his team get to create their own version of âthe Swansea Wayâ, one which provides a sense of unity and stability both on and off the pitch and one we can all look back on in years to come with a sense of achievement and pride.
We all have a part to play in the Swansea City story and in this new chapter, âThe Rebuildâ. As Klopp said on his arrival at Anfield: âWe have to turn from doubter to believer â now.â
JULIE KISSICK
Bereavement
We sadly announce the death of Ken Jeffreys, a lifetime Swans supporter and East Stand season ticket holder, beloved husband of Linda, much loved Dad of Diane, Carol and Paula, loved and respected father in law of Edwin and the late Paul. Adored Grampa and Old Grampa to all his grand and great grandchildren. Ken will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace Ken, once a Jack always a Jack đ¤đ¤
Once a Jack always Jack in memory of Swans fan John Slee who has sadly passed away on 1st November 2025, always in our heart John.
Ray Davies, born in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, and lifelong Swansea City fan passed away on 5th November this year.
A much-loved husband of Jane, father and grandfather. He passed his love of the swans on to his grandson Joey who is here today.
He loved coming to games with his mates and grandson.
He will always be remembered and loved as a Jack.
We are all Jacks is Swansea Cityâs commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion both within the club and throughout the local community.
Working with international and local charities, as well as supporter groups, Swansea City strives to ensure that a visit to the Swansea.com Stadium is a welcoming experience for everyone regardless of sex, sexuality, gender identity, religion, race, disability, or age.
The club takes a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, victimisation, bullying and abuse.
REPORT IT â IN THE STADIUM
Supporters are encouraged to report instances of abusive and discriminatory language within the stadium by using the anonymous text and Whatsapp number (07886 276015) providing details of the incident and your location in the stadium.
Messages will be charged at the standard rate for your network provider.
The details from the message will be received at the match control room, where any necessary investigation and/or action will be taken.
The club will also record the mobile number of the individual reporting an incident to aid with any inquiries.
Supporters can also use support@swanseacity.com to report instances of discrimination.
An audio commentary service is available for blind and partially sighted fans â provided by Radio City, the Swansea University Health Board Hospital Radio Service.
Radio City has a long association with the football club dating back to the days when the club was known as Swansea Town.
Since moving to the Swansea.com Stadium, the broadcaster has provided a live descriptive commentary service for free at all Swansea home matches, meaning that blind and partially-sighted supporters in both the home and away ends can follow the action.
In order to book a headset for the match, supporters can contact the accessibility team in advance by emailing accessibility@swanseacity.com, or contacting the ticket office from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm by calling 01792 616629 and selecting option one.
Supporters can also book headsets in person in advance at the ticket office, or on the day by speaking to a Disability Liaison Steward on the day.
To learn more about Radio City, visit www.radiocity1386am.co.uk.
The inclusion room at the Swansea.com Stadium is open every matchday for supporters who may require a quiet space during games.
Supporters will be able to attend live matches at the Swansea.com Stadium with the comfort of knowing there is a designated area should they need it. The room is available to any supporter that may require a quiet space.
The space will be monitored by a designated disability liaison steward and provides a safe space with a disabled toilet, a projector to watch the live game, and dignity packs for those who need it.
While some supporters who require a time away from the crowds may prefer to use this room as a quiet space, it will also be possible to watch the match live on a screen projected onto the wall meaning supporters who require the space for any reason donât have to miss a moment of the match action.
The room is located in the West Stand and, while supporters who feel they may benefit from the use of the space will be recommended to sit in that stand, it will be accessible for anyone in any part of the stadium.
Any supporter who feels overwhelmed by the matchday environment for any reason can gain access to the room by making themselves known to a steward or disability liaison steward.
PLAYER SPONSORS
Shwmae Junior Jacks,
Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium!
We couldnât be happier to see you again after an exciting international break! We had a great time watching some of our Swans (past and present) in action! Hopefully tonight will be just as thrilling â we think it will be!
Today's Take Five quiz is about the visitors, Derby County with a little bit of football general knowledge too! Click the button below to test your general knowledge!
Our score prediction is 2-1 to the Swans and we think Vipotnik and Franco will score!
What do you think the score will be?
Uppa Swans,
Cyril and Cybil
Head Coach Vitor Matos
1 Andy Fisher
2 Josh Key
4 Jay Fulton
5 Ben Cabango (c)
6 Marko StameniÄ
7 Melker Widell
8 Malick Yalcouye
9 Žan Vipotnik
10 Jisung Eom
14 Josh Tymon
15 Cameron Burgess
16 IshĂŠ Samuels-Smith
17 Gonçalo Franco
20 Liam Cullen
21 Manuel Benson
22 Lawrence Vigouroux
23 Ricardo Santos
24 Bobby Wales
26 Kaelan Casey
27 Zeidane Inoussa
29 Paul Farman
30 Ethan Galbraith
33 Adam Idah
35 Ronald
40 NUMBER RETIRED IN MEMORY OF BESIAN IDRIZAJ
41 Sam Parker
46 Arthur Parker
47 Sebastian Dabrowski
54 Iestyn Jones
Head Coach John Eustace
1 Jacob Widell Zetterstrom
3 Craig Forsyth
4 Danny Batth
5 Matt Clarke
6 Sondre Langas
7 Patrick Agyemang
9 Carlton Morris
10 Rhian Brewster
11 Corey Blackett-Taylor
12 Richard OâDonnell
14 Andreas Weimann
15 Lars-Jorgen Salvesen
16 Liam Thompson
18 David Ozoh
19 Kayden Jackson
20 Callum Elder
22 Max Johnston
23 Joe Ward
24 Ryan Nyambe
25 Ben Brereton Diaz
27 Lewis Travis Š
28 Dion Sanderson
31 Josh Vickers
32 Ebou Adams
35 Curtis Nelson
42 Bobby Clark
Referee - Andrew Kitchen
Assistant Referee 1 - Conor Brown
Assistant Referee 2 - Hristo Karaivanov
Fourth Official - Stephen Martin
STAFF LIST
Honorary Club President - Alan Curtis MBE
Directors
Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Jason Cohen, George Popstefanov, Chris Sznewajs, Tyler Morse, Nigel Morris, Todd Marcelle, Keith English, Martin Morgan, Paul Meller.
Chief Executive Officer: Tom Gorringe
Associate Directors: Diane Hughes
Minority Owners: Luka ModriÄ and Snoop Dogg
FIRST-TEAM STAFF
Head Coach - Vitor Matos
Head of Goalkeeping â Martyn Margetson
First Team Coach - Kris O'Leary
Interim First Team Coach - Leon Britton
Head of Medical - Dr Jez McCluskey
Staff: Ailsa Jones, Matt Murray, Thomas Gittoes, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Jake Dayus, Patrick Orme, Lewis Binns, Chris Watkins, Jack Oliver, Harri Mathias, James Cole.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Chief Executive Officer: Tom Gorringe
Head of Operations and Facilities: Andrew Davies
Head of Football Operations and Administration: Ben Greenwood
Head of Commercial: George Alston
Head of Media and Communications: Andrew Gwilym
Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer
HR Manager: Nicola Butt
Head of Facilities: Gordon David
Head of Supporter Services: Hayley Ford
Head of IT: Jonathan Jones
Head of Swansea City AFC Foundation: Paul France
CLUB STAFF
Football Operations & Administration Manager: Rebecca Gigg
Head of Partnerships: Lee Merrells
Head of Hospitality: Catherine Thomas
Head of Ticketing: Mari Tucker
Grounds Manager: Evan Davies
Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle
PROGRAMME PRODUCTION
Contributors: Andrew Gwilym, Rachael Tucker, Cerith White, Jack Otter, Sophie Davis, Mackenzie Squires, Sammy Wynne, Hayley Ford, Owen Morgan, Julie Kissick, Gwyn Rees, James Dow.
Designers: Callum Rothwell, Jac Elsey.