Matos confident he can make a big impact with the Swans

VITOR Matos says he understands why some may feel his appointment might be seen as a gamble by Swansea City fans, but insists he’s prepared for the challenge ahead.

- TOM COLEMAN Football writer [e-mail]

The 37-year-old, who's signed a four-year deal with the club, faced the press and supporters alongside chief executive Tom Gorringe following the sacking of Alan Sheehan before the international break.

After missing out on top target Kim Hellberg, the club quickly turned attention to Matos, who had previously been handed the reins at Portuguese second tier side Maritimo back in June.

It was his first role in senior management, and his relative inexperience means his appointment will carry a certain level of risk in the eyes of some supporters, a fact that isn’t lost on the new arrival.

"I understand," Matos said. "If that’s something that concerns some people, I completely understand.

"But at the same time, I feel completely prepared. If I was not prepared I would not be here.

"I hope that in one or two months, everyone will feel much more confidence with everything and I’m here to try and turn it around that's for sure.”

Despite Matos overseeing just 12 games in his first role as a head coach, CEO Gorringe added that data-driven analysis was a key driver in their decision, and says several Swans legends were also consulted, along with minority investor Luka Modric, during the process.

"It's been a rigorous process we've assessed a large number of candidates and he was the standout throughout,” Gorringe explained.

"We've involved some legends in that process and done a tactical and technical presentation about how that’s going to transmit what the ideology is to the football club, and throughout that process Vitor was the outstanding candidate.