Former Liverpool coach Vitor Matos is the new leading contender to take over as Swansea manager, talkSPORT understands.
Matos worked under Jürgen Klopp and is now boss of Portuguese second division side Maritimo.
Snoop Dogg unveils new Swansea kit as EFL club fires dig at Ryan Reynolds and Wrexham
Swansea were forced to make fresh plans after number one target Kim Hellberg pulled out of the running to open talks with Middlesbrough.
Who is Vitor Matos?
Matos took over Maritimo last June in what is his first senior head coaching role.
The 37-year-old has Maritimo third in the Portuguese second tier after 11 games with 20 points.
Matos joined Liverpool as their Elite Development Coach in 2019, where he was tasked with providing a bridge between the academy and the Reds' first team.
Read more EFL news
Why Matos was once described as Liverpool's 'best signing' in 2019
Such was the esteem in which Matos was held, former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders described him as the club's 'best signing' the season he joined.
"He is a talented coach, a very intelligent coach," Lijnders said.
"He can make the next step with all these young players. We have already seen the impact he has made on them.
"Having one really intelligent, talented coach for young players, he can inspire eight or nine of them - it's really important to have the right people in front of them - he connects, he influences the boys on the pitch and trains with them."
Lijnders also described Matos as 'the connector' of the club, as he linked up the academy, Klopp and the sporting directors.
Matos departed Liverpool in 2024 and went on to become Lijnders' assistant during the latter's stint in charge of Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg.
Former Liverpool coach Vitor Matos looks on prior to a match
2
Matos has emerged as the frontrunner to take over at SwanseaCredit: Getty
However, Lijnders and Matos' time in Austria was ended after just six months following a poor run of results.
Prior to his appointment with the Reds, Matos worked as an assistant manager for Porto's B team.
During his time at the Portuguese giants, which began in 2011 where he started out coaching in their academy and produced scouting reports, he aided the development of several stars, including former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.
Who was Swansea's former manager and why was he axed?
Swansea have been on the hunt for a new manager following the sacking of Alan Sheehan.
The Welsh outfit axed Sheehan following a grim run of form in which they won just one of their last seven league fixtures.
Sheehan initially took over on an interim basis in February but was handed the reins on a permanent basis in April.
Swansea have set an unwanted record this season
2
Swansea have set an unwanted record this seasonCredit: Getty
At the time of Sheehan's departure, Swansea had won just four of their 15 Championship fixtures this term and had picked up 17 points.
Read More on talkSPORT
The grim haul marked Swansea's worst start to a campaign since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018.
Sheehan was the fifth Championship manager sacked this season, with Ruben Selles, Paulo Pezzolano, Will Still and Liam Manning also shown the door by their former employers.