Liverpool supporters have felt themselves wishing to be saved by the larger than life personality of Jurgen Klopp during their turgid recent form.
The Reds have had a difficult season, with Arne Slot looking a little lost on the touchline throughout the campaign.
Slot is a completely different character to his predecessor, and although Liverpool got back to winning ways with a win over Inter Milan on Tuesday, questions remain about his suitability to stop the slide.
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That has meant Liverpool supporters casting their eye out into the managerial wilderness and seeing who could possibly replace Slot and pick their club up once again.
Although he is highly unlikely to be a candidate should Slot lose his job, Reds fans should be taking note of former coach Vitor Matos‘ journey at Swansea City. Matos was appointed in November and having won back-to-back games by beating Portsmouth on Tuesday, some footage of the Portuguese speaking post-match has given an impressive window into his character.
Vitor Matos catches fire at Swansea
Matos had only taken his first steps into management by taking over at second division Portuguese side Maritimo in July.
Having seen him put the Madeiran side at the top of the table, Swansea gambled on the 37-year-old to help them out of relegation trouble in the Championship.
Matos lost his first two games in charge, but after beating Oxford and then Portsmouth within four days, the young coach has his team outside of the relegation places.
Two wins against teams in and around them have done wonders for Swansea’s confidence, and as the club posted on their official X account, Matos appears to be truly growing into his skin.
“Guys, wow!” clapped the coach, with an enthusiasm resembling Klopp’s. “Boys, so good. After only two days between games, against a team that needs to fight as well. Putting in this performance was, wow!”
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After going around the team extolling their virtues, Matos then insisted that his players enjoy their moment.
“Day off tomorrow, go out with everyone you want!” he beamed. “Good face, and enjoy the day off because two days after then we go. We need to enjoy these moments. Clean sheet, second win in a row, I love it!”
Some of Klopp’s personality and coaching style has obviously rubbed off on Matos, because this was giving off very distinct vibes of Liverpool’s former manager.
How far can Matos go?
Matos spent five years at Liverpool during the club’s most successful period under Klopp.
Although he spent a lot of time dealing with the academy players, he was also a very key part of the German’s coaching staff.
How big a part Matos played will likely become clear as his managerial career develops, but this is certainly a very promising start.
At only 37, Matos could have a very long career in front of him, and having already dealt with big personalities and players at Liverpool, as well as managing two different groups of players on his own, his experience is growing by the day.
Clearly, he will not be in any discussion about a next Liverpool manager should one arise in the coming months, but some years into the future it would not be a surprise to see Matos creeping onto the shortlist.
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