Kim Hellberg is continuing to gain admirers as Middlesbrough’s pursuit of Premier League promotion continues, and with new interest emerging from Crystal Palace ahead of Pierre Sage’s increasingly unavoidable sacking, the Swede has now expressed his thoughts on a potential move to Selhurst Park.

Middlesbrough will fancy their chances of successfully avenging last season’s heartbreaking last-gasp play-off final defeat to Hull City after a strong start to the 2026/27 Championship campaign, which has seen Hellberg’s side secure second place heading into the November international break with eight victories, five draws, and only two defeats from 15 fixtures to date.

Middlesbrough, who are level on points with both league leaders Birmingham City and third-placed Stoke, have often appeared to be the team to beat in the second tier thus far and will look to pick up where they left off when they return to action in two weeks’ time with a double-header against Bristol City and a fellow promotion rival in Swansea – despite a slight dip in form during Will Lankshear’s injury-enforced absence.

The Teessiders have demonstrated that, under Hellberg’s tutelage, they are capable of eventually ending their top-flight exile and crossing the finish line once and for all, which is precisely why the Riverside Stadium supporters will want nothing more than the current ties to Crystal Palace to be dropped.

Interestingly, Hellberg has now broken his quiet on the topic, indicating a significant new development.

Middlesbrough’s Kim Hellberg reacts to the Crystal Palace links.

Hellberg’s exploits on Teesside appear to be gaining traction, with Sky Sports reporting on Sunday evening that the hugely popular 38-year-old is one of seven candidates on Crystal Palace’s managerial radar, alongside Sean Dyche, Frank Lampard, Swansea’s Vitor Matos, and leading contender Thomas Frank.

This update, of course, comes amid the impending sacking of Pierre Sage, which has yet to be formally announced but appears to be unavoidable after the Frenchman left the Eagles at the bottom of the top-flight table with only two wins from his first ten games heading into the latest two-week window.

Hellberg has publicly expressed his desire to manage in the Premier League, but that is exactly where Middlesbrough may end up under his watch, and the Swedish manager has now responded to reports of a potential vacancy at Selhurst Park.

Hellberg, who was just employed at Borough less than a year ago, spoke with Swedish publication Fotbollskanalen about the rumoured interest and repeated his willingness to focus on the task at hand with the Championship promotion prospects.

When asked about conjecture relating his services to Palace, he responded, “Absolutely nothing.”It’s always wonderful to be on lists like that, especially if it means you’ve done something right. But I think it’s primarily just talk, and I’m all about doing a good job here.”We have a chance to be promoted this year. We believe there is a chance, but it is obvious that it will be challenging.

“We are one of five, six teams, maybe not the biggest favourites, but behind them I think we have a good chance.”My attention is here, and hopefully we can climb up; it would have been amazing of course.

Middlesbrough will appreciate Kim Hellberg’s Crystal Palace position.

It’s obviously clear that Hellberg’s whole concentration is on the goal at hand, which is to lead Borough back to the promised land at the second time of asking – and they have a very good chance of doing so under his watch.

For a head coach of Hellberg’s calibre – which is rare in the Championship – the possibility to manage at the highest level may be enticing.

However, Middlesbrough’s own project is appealing, with Steve Gibson rewarding Hellberg with plenty of financial backing to enhance Boro’s team, and they’ve only strengthened since sanctioning Hayden Hackney’s big-money move to Everton over the summer.

Indeed, Borough boast one of the Championship’s strongest and deepest squads, with players from defence to attack including Adilson Malanda, Aidan Morris, and, most significantly, the aforementioned Lankshear, all long-term assets with significant prospective resale value.

Hellberg has a skilled and high-ceiling group at his disposal, and failing to achieve promotion with what he has would surely be a failure.

However, there is no better coach to finally return Borough to the big time, and having only appointed Hellberg following Rob Edwards’ contentious and ultimately ill-fated decision to leave for Wolves just months after arriving in the North East, they will be both pleased and relieved to see much more loyalty, dedication, and focus from the sought-after Swede.

Middlesbrough had their strongest promotion opportunity under Kim Hellberg.

Make no mistake: Middlesbrough will not find a better opportunity to break their promotion curse as Hellberg continues to lead one of the most formidable Borough groups in recent memory.

Despite being expensively assembled, there is no denying the vast talent of Boro’s squad. Radek Vitek between the sticks, along with Callum Brittain, Neto Borges, Malanda, and Ash Phillips, creates a second-tier backline that is tougher than most, even if Hellberg’s emphasis on committing bodies forward and dominating possession in attacking thirds can occasionally expose the Teessiders to quick counter-transitions.

Middlesbrough’s midfielders, which include Sebastian Berhalter, Riley McGree, and Morris, as well as versatile French defender Malanda, are among the strongest and most multi-functional at their level.

The attacking line is equally impressive, and when Hellberg can call on the combined double-act brilliance of Amario Cozier-Duberry out wide and top-scorer Lankshear, as well as Tommy Conway and Jeremy Sarmiento, it’s no surprise that only two teams score more goals per game.

Middlesbrough have significant, well-stocked quality in nearly every section of the pitch and are a joy to watch at full speed, and Hellberg knows this all too well and will not be willing to give up this brilliant and exciting side simply.

Borough, in truth, should have held their nerve to finish in the top two last season, but with an improved squad, the opportunity for promotion is even greater now, and a return to the top flight by May may be just what’s needed to ensure Hellberg’s long-term future at the Riverside.