The Swans have turned to former Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal following the departure of Paul Clement and the team responded with a late, late win at Watford on Saturday.
Carvalhal took the Owls into the Championship play-offs in successive seasons, losing out to Hull at Wembley for a place in the Premier League in 2015-16 and in the semi-finals to Huddersfield last season.
“Carlos Carvalhal knows England and the Premier League,” said Mauricio. “It’s always a tough game and with a new manager, Swansea will have the motivation to show they can play.
“They are in a position where they need to fight, they need to take points and for us it’s the same and we’re going there to start the year in a very good way.