Work to do as Swansea bid to change the record
Vitor Matos has secured 14 wins in 30 league matches as Swansea City's head coach.
It has been eight years since Swansea City's tenure in the Premier League ended with relegation. Since their Championship play-off final defeat in 2021, the club has struggled to demonstrate the capability to return to the top tier.
As the 2025-26 season concludes, Swansea reflects on a campaign that began with hope, shifted to concern, and ultimately showed signs of promise. This pattern has been familiar in recent seasons.
The key question is whether head coach Vitor Matos, supported by Swansea's leadership, can guide the club toward meaningful progress in the upcoming Championship season.
Expectation may go up - but better will be required
Last year, Swansea gained momentum under former manager Alan Sheehan, who improved the team's form to avoid relegation after Luke Williams' tenure ended amid a slump. Previously, Williams had reversed fortunes following Michael Duff's brief and unsuccessful spell in charge.
Matos now faces the challenge of improving Swansea's record. The club will start the 2026-27 season aiming for the play-offs, similar to the recent campaign that concluded with a victory over Charlton Athletic.
Expectations may rise, especially as the Championship will expand play-off places to include teams finishing seventh and eighth next season. However, it is important to note that aside from two play-off campaigns under Steve Cooper—when parachute payments aided the club—the highest finish since relegation has been 10th place, achieved by Graham Potter in 2019 and Russell Martin three years later.
Matos' Swansea finished 11th this season, matching last year's position under Sheehan but with three additional points. Ultimately, they ended nine points behind Hull City, who secured the final play-off spot, and five points behind Derby County, who finished eighth.
Press brings points - but no talk of the table
Alan Sheehan was dismissed after just over six months as Swansea's permanent manager.
Sheehan had genuine ambitions for the play-offs last summer, with Swansea investing significantly following momentum gained at the end of the 2024-25 season. However, after a promising start, the team managed only four wins in the first 15 league games, largely due to offensive struggles, leading to Sheehan's dismissal on 11 November.
The club initially planned to appoint Kim Hellberg, but Swansea had to reconsider when the Swedish coach chose Middlesbrough instead.
Appointing Vitor Matos was a bold decision given his limited managerial experience and lack of prior work in the English second tier.
After losing his first two matches, Swansea found themselves just outside the relegation zone on goal difference, raising concerns among supporters and staff.
However, a victory over Oxford United in early December marked the beginning of a notable improvement, especially in home matches, effectively eliminating relegation fears by February, coinciding with a visit from Snoop Dogg, who brought a large entourage and 20,000 tea towels to Wales.
Snoop Dogg made his first visit to Swansea since becoming a co-owner at the club last summer.
Matos appeared somewhat bemused by the frequent questions related to Snoop Dogg but recognizes that high-profile figures off the pitch could eventually attract prominent players on it.
Regardless of the celebrity presence, the Portuguese coach has consistently focused on football and upcoming fixtures, avoiding discussions about Swansea's league standing.
Matos employs a pressing style of play, which has yielded 47 points from 30 league matches, averaging 1.56 points per game. If maintained over a full season, this rate would result in approximately 71 points—sufficient for seventh place in the recently concluded campaign.
What changes await this summer?
Striker Zan Vipotnik is expected to attract significant transfer interest this summer.
Matos has stated that no major squad overhaul is planned for the summer, but transfer activity is anticipated, especially if Vipotnik departs during the transfer window.
Swansea intends to demand a substantial fee for the striker, which would assist in offsetting the club's recent financial losses. Matos hopes to have transfer funds available, particularly if a replacement for the 25-goal top scorer is required.
Three loan players have left the club this week, and Kaelan Casey was not replaced in January, leaving the squad thin in defensive and wide positions.
Recruitment will likely focus on players capable of contributing goals from wide areas, and Matos emphasizes the need for greater physicality within the squad to compete with the robust nature of many Championship teams.
Despite these challenges, Matos hopes most players involved during his initial five months will remain for the new season starting in August.
Changes are also expected in the coaching staff following the departures of Joe Allen and head of goalkeeping Martyn Margetson. The most significant upcoming change is the appointment of a new sporting director.
Swansea's inability to establish themselves as promotion contenders in recent years has led to frequent changes at boardroom, managerial, and squad levels.
Matos has emphasized the importance of stability, which would be encouraging for the club and suggest progress in the right direction.
"There will be tweaks in the dugout, too, following the departures of Joe Allen and head of goalkeeping Martyn Margetson, though the more significant change will be the imminent appointment of a new sporting director."
"Matos has talked of the need for stability, and it will be good news for the club should he get what he craves."
"That would be an indication, after all, that Swansea are heading in the right direction."
