Swansea City currently find themselves at the top of the Championship – a position few would have predicted before the campaign began.
Under the tutelage of Vítor Matos, the club has implemented an energetic, high-pressing approach that continues to produce impressive results on the south coast of Wales.
Indeed, despite joining the Swans just under a year ago, Matos appears at home, with his sights now set firmly on promotion to the Premier League.
Good feeling
After being named the Championship Manager of the Month for August, Matos told Sky Sports: “I’m happy with the start more than the results.
“It’s the style and the feeling that when you go to watch us play, you have a good feeling.
“We are happy when you are out, especially our fans – that’s what we wanted, that’s what we are trying more than anything.
“So far, it’s been good.”
Chasing promotion
On the challenge of maintaining the Swans’ promotion charge while playing an exciting brand of football, Matos said: “It comes a lot with the mindset and the willingness.
“When it’s part of you, when it’s part of your style, when you understand the benefits of that, it’s not just because we think it’s nice.
“It’s because we really believe it’s the best way to win and to compete against all the teams.
“When you start believing in that and make it a proper style and culture of being in the club, then it’s possible.
“Of course, it’s hard. Of course, you have different oppositions who demand different things sometimes.
“But the core ideas, the main principles, they need to be there – that’s what we try.”
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Swansea culture
Asked about the football culture in Swansea, Matos stated: “It’s a wonderful place. It’s a strong culture of style as well.
“That was one of the main reasons I decided to come and one of the main reasons we all felt close to each other.
“We and the owners wanted to bring back and put the team closer to the style it was always recognised for, an offensive one with the ball – trying to be dominant and aggressive but at the same time able to compete against every team.
“That is the main part, and having that already as a culture is really good because you can easily connect with each other.
“It’s a wonderful place to be.”
Matos happy
Reflecting on a managerial journey that has seen him work in Portugal, China, England and Austria, Matos added: “I really don’t think about it on a daily basis.
“We live more for the next game, the next training session, the next drill or the next interview. I think that’s where we all are as managers.
“I know I’m a young coach and there’s still, of course, a lot to live. I’m really happy with all the things that have happened.
“You always need a little bit of luck in your career, a little bit of luck in your life.
“Arriving healthy at this age, being able to have a family and having the possibility to do a job in this club that I like so much – all of that came into place.
“I’m more than anything pleased with the journey so far.”
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