MIDDLESBROUGH has confirmed Kim Hellberg as their new head coach.
The Swede has left his previous position at Hammarby to take over on Teesside as the permanent replacement for Rob Edwards, who resigned to take charge of Wolves earlier this month.
Hellberg will be at the Riverside as Boro face Coventry City tomorrow evening, but Adi Viveash, who has taken charge of the club’s last two games, will stay in interim charge for the match against the Championship leaders.
Viveash will be part of Hellberg’s new-look coaching team on Teesside, along with his long-time assistant David Selini, who previously worked with him at Hammarby.
Hellberg led Hammarby to consecutive second-place finishes in the Swedish Allsvenskan after previously leading lower-league clubs Kimstad, Kuddby, and IF Sylvia, as well as top-tier club IFK Varnamo.
“I’m delighted to have been appointed as Boro’s head coach and I’m very proud to be here,” Hellberg informed the crowd. “Boro is the ideal choice for me for a variety of reasons, including the way they play and desire to play, as well as the crowd, which matches me and my working style.
“I want us to play quick and aggressive football, and if we don’t have the ball, we should try to get it as soon as possible. I want us to be quick on goal and create many of opportunities.
“I’ve been very impressed with the players and how they’ve worked so far this season and I’m looking forward to getting to work with them.”
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Hellberg was close to joining Swansea City earlier this month, when the Championship club identified him as their preferred replacement for previous manager Alan Sheehan.
However, when Edwards declared his intention to depart after only four months in command on Teesside, Boro’s recruitment team, led by head of football, immediately began compiling a list of possible replacements.
Hellberg swiftly emerged as a top target, and Boro submitted an official request to Hammarby for permission to speak with the Swede.
They were granted the go-ahead to hold discussions after agreeing to meet the release clause in Hellberg’s Hammarby contract, which is thought to be roughly €250,000, and Hellberg has chosen to relocate to the Riverside rather than the Liberty Stadium.
“Kim is someone I’ve been monitoring for a while,” Scott told me. “He’s widely known in European football circles as an up-and-coming head coach who drew a lot of attention and performed admirably at Hammarby.
“We met a few prospects, but Kim was at the top of my list of persons I wanted to speak with. Myself, Neil (Bausor), and Steve (Gibson) met him and were pleased by what he said and how he presented himself.
“We felt it was an appointment that could take us forward, and we’re very pleased to bring him in.”
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