Middlesbrough have appointed 37-year-old Swedish manager Kim Hellberg to boost their promotion push in the Championship. The highly sought-after coach comes from Hammarby, where he secured two consecutive second-place finishes in Sweden's top tier. His departure from Hammarby is seen as a major coup for Boro.
Hellberg has quickly established himself as one of Europe's brightest emerging coaches and will now aim to lead Middlesbrough back into the Premier League. He was heavily touted as a potential replacement for Rob Edwards, who departed for Wolves earlier this month. The 37-year-old was extracted from his contract by Boro, with the club reportedly paying around £250,000.
Hellberg's appointment is seen as a significant boost to the team's chances of promotion. He has previously proved himself to be a promotion specialist and will now look to replicate success at Middlesbrough. "I want us to play quick and aggressive football, and to try to win the ball as quickly as possible if we don't have it," Hellberg said in his introductory interview.
Hellberg's managerial career began in Sweden's seventh tier before he swiftly promoted teams through the divisions. His departure from Hammarby marks the beginning of a new chapter for him at Middlesbrough, with the team facing Coventry at home on Tuesday. The 37-year-old will not take charge until then, as Adi Viveash continues to run the ship as interim manager.
Hellberg has quickly established himself as one of Europe's brightest emerging coaches and will now aim to lead Middlesbrough back into the Premier League. He was heavily touted as a potential replacement for Rob Edwards, who departed for Wolves earlier this month. The 37-year-old was extracted from his contract by Boro, with the club reportedly paying around £250,000.
Hellberg's appointment is seen as a significant boost to the team's chances of promotion. He has previously proved himself to be a promotion specialist and will now look to replicate success at Middlesbrough. "I want us to play quick and aggressive football, and to try to win the ball as quickly as possible if we don't have it," Hellberg said in his introductory interview.
Hellberg's managerial career began in Sweden's seventh tier before he swiftly promoted teams through the divisions. His departure from Hammarby marks the beginning of a new chapter for him at Middlesbrough, with the team facing Coventry at home on Tuesday. The 37-year-old will not take charge until then, as Adi Viveash continues to run the ship as interim manager.
. I mean, he's got some decent credentials and all, but is this really what Middlesbrough needs? A new face at the helm just when they're starting to make some headway? It feels like a fresh coat of paint on an old bike 
. And that price tag of £250k? Blows me away 
. Are they trying to send him on his merry way if he doesn't deliver?
I'd rather see them invest in building from within, you know? Get some decent youth talent through the ranks and let them develop. That's what'll keep Middlesbrough competitive for the long haul 
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... One minute it's Rob Edwards, and the next it's this Kim Hellberg guy? Can't they just stick with something that works? Middlesbrough needs consistency, not another "bright emerging coach" who's gonna come in and change everything. 37 years old is nothing, btw... He's gotta prove himself, but I'm skeptical 
. I just hope he can bring some stability to the team and actually lead them back to the Premier League. Fingers crossed 
his track record is insane 
going from sweden's 7th tier to top tier in just a few years? that's some next level stuff! 
i'm hyped for the match against coventry on tuesday 
️ let's hope hellberg can bring the magic 
. Like, how long does it take for someone to develop their skills? Hellberg's been doing this promotion thing since Sweden's seventh tier - is that really a 'new chapter' or just another stepping stone? And £250k for what? A contract pulled by the club and then just handed over? That doesn't seem like a fair wage to me 
. With his track record in Sweden's top tier, I believe he's got the skills to push them towards promotion 
. Do you think it'll be enough to get Boro back into the Premier League? 
They needed a boost badly and hes like literally the perfect guy 2 get them back into the Premier League hes got all these promotion specialist vibes going on and his tactics sound SO COOL 
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