Matt Grimes' Return to Swansea City
Matt Grimes spent over a decade as a Swansea player before departing in a deal potentially worth up to £4 million including add-ons.
This weekend marks Grimes' first return to Swansea City since his transfer, with Vitor Matos emphasizing that it is not his role to predict how the home fans will respond to their former club captain.
During Swansea's defeat at Coventry City in December, some away supporters booed Grimes, a reaction described as "incredible" by Sky Blues manager Frank Lampard.
Now the Coventry skipper is set to play at the Swansea.com Stadium for the first time since ending his 10-year tenure with the Swans when he moved to the CBS Arena 14 months ago.
Vitor Matos on Fan Reactions and Support
Matos stated that Grimes remains respected at his former club but stressed that his primary concern is ensuring the home supporters back Swansea as they aim to challenge the Championship leaders.
"I've not too much to say about it - he's a player for Coventry," the Swansea head coach said.
"At the time here at the club, how the fans react is how the fans react, there is nothing much I can say.
"The most important [thing] for us is that our fans will be with us in every situation of the game, that they can push us in a hard game and for sure we will need them because it's our home stadium and the connection has been unbelievable.
"I think that's what we need, so everyone who goes in the stadium that puts on a scarf, puts on a shirt, go there to celebrate and to have a proper game together with us."
Grimes' Career and Transfer Details
Since joining Coventry from Swansea in January 2025, Matt Grimes has made 58 appearances for the club.
Grimes initially joined Swansea, then a Premier League club, from Exeter City in 2015 for a transfer fee of £1.75 million.
Although his impact was limited during Swansea's time in the top flight, the midfielder became a key figure following their relegation in 2018.
He was a regular in the Championship, making 333 appearances for Swansea and captaining the club for five and a half seasons before his move to Coventry.
His departure occurred despite signing a new contract in August 2023. Coventry, who were four points above Swansea in the Championship at the time, secured his transfer after a third bid was accepted.
Reactions to Grimes' Departure
Luke Williams, Swansea's manager at the time, described Grimes' exit as a shock but acknowledged the competitive nature of football.
"Football is a dog eat dog business," Williams said.
Grimes cited Coventry's ambition as the key factor influencing his decision to move.
He contributed to Coventry's play-off qualification last season and they are currently on track for automatic promotion with eight games remaining this campaign.
Matos on Grimes' Standing and Upcoming Match
Although Matos did not work directly with Grimes, he affirmed the 30-year-old's positive reputation at Swansea.
"[There is] a lot of respect for what he was at the club," Matos added.
"That's something that we always need to have. Now he's a Coventry player, on the pitch it's 11 against 11 and that's what we need to think about it."
