Vitor Matos: Elite developer

Training Ground Guru Podcast

It's great to be back for Season 6 of the TGG Podcast - and with a new sponsor, Genius Sports.

Our first guest of the new season is Vitor Matos, the former Head of Elite Development at Liverpool. During five seasons at Anfield, Vitor helped to nurture a new generation of talent and deliver a number of trophies.

Since leaving Liverpool at the end of last season, he has been Assistant to Pep Lijnders at Red Bull Salzburg.

In this episode, Vitor told us what it was like to work alongside Jurgen Klopp, the key components of development, how Curtis Jones can lead the new generation at Liverpool and how Arne Slot has made subtle changes this season.

SHOW NOTES =>

02:10: What he's been doing since leaving Red Bull Salzburg in December 2024. Reflections on that period now.

04:36: Jurgen Klopp coming in as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull but periods didn't overlap. Parallels between Red Bull clubs and Liverpool.

06:33: How he started in coaching. Mourinho as an inspiration.

08:02: Meeting Pep Lijnders for the first time.

09:40: Influence of Professor Vitor Frade/ studying under him at University of Porto.

11:56: Why is Portuguese coaching so strong? Why is there a paucity of top English coaches?

16:49: How the move to Liverpool came about.

23:18: Manager and club committed to youth development and giving opportunities.

24:40: Development of Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah. Considering whether to loan players out or not.

35:33: Who should we be looking out for in the next generation of young players at Liverpool?

36:29: What was it like working with Jurgen Klopp and what makes him so special? Could you have stayed on when he left?

39:23: Transition of Arne Slot into the club. Tactical changes. Transformation of Ryan Gravenberch.

45:25: Ambitions for the future.

48:24: Favourite training exercises.