After Alan Sheehan was fired earlier this week, Swansea City is reportedly having trouble attracting emerging Swedish sensation Kim Hellberg to the Swansea.Com Stadium.

After Luke Williams left in February, Sheehan had an outstanding interim stint and was awarded a new three-year contract with one game left in the previous season. However, following the Swans’ worst start to a season since their relegation from the Premier League back in 2017–18, the club’s American ownership consortium is currently searching for their second manager or head coach.

With the Championship schedule currently in the midst of a final international break until late March, the South Wales team is hoping for a quick conclusion in their search for Sheehan’s successor, much like divisional rivals like Middlesbrough, Southampton, and Norwich City. Many have argued that these circumstances have also aided such a thought process despite the long-standing pressure that was placed on the former Republic of Ireland and Luton Town midfielder for some weeks.

Since Tuesday afternoon’s crucial sack call, a number of names have been associated with the position. However, given those aforementioned connections, Hellberg, who has continued to lead Swedish Allsvenskan team Hammarby IF, has resurfaced as a top target after previously being on the radar of the second-tier team.

In due time, reports that Swansea had contacted the highly regarded manager were confirmed. But according to recent rumors from Hellberg’s home country of Sweden, the Championship team is currently encountering a roadblock in their chase.

Swansea City is having trouble acquiring Kim Hellberg, the manager of Hammarby IF.

A report from Wales Online stated that Hellberg was among the first names in the frame and that “informal talks” between him and members of the Welsh team’s hierarchy had indeed taken place, just hours after Sheehan’s dismissal was made public earlier in the week. Swansea is currently 18th in the Championship after 15 games played.

After a successful temporary tenure, the Swans’ board reportedly felt compelled to give Sheehan the permanent position at the end of the previous season since they had been impressed by the Hammarby manager for some time.

According to the aforementioned source, a deal is not anticipated to happen very soon. Hellberg is also reported to have kept an eye on events in South Wales while managing a second-place finish in the 2025 Allsvenskan, with Hammarby trailing underdog champions Mjallby AIF by 13 points.

Later, local reporter Tom Coleman asserted that other Championship teams admire Hellberg. However, Swansea’s current situation regarding their pursuit of the former midfielder has been described by publications from Swedish teams Expressen and Fotbollskanalen.

Despite Fotbollskanalen’s support for such developments, Expressen claims that a buyout clause is proving to be a sticking issue as Swansea attempts to launch a comprehensive move for Hellberg following early talks.

According to reports, Hellberg has a release clause of between 2.5 and 3.5 million Swedish Kroner, or £201,991 to £282,787.

If Kim Hellberg gets a job in South Wales, he would like to turn Swansea City’s fortunes around.

Hellberg, who previously managed at IF Sylvia and IFK Varnamo, is currently in his third management position with the Stockholm-based team.

After replacing Marti Cifuentes, who left Hammarby for Queens Park Rangers in late 2023, Hellberg has won 40 of his 70 games as manager, giving him a 57 percent win record.

Naturally, he and Swansea fans would hope that, should he get the job, similar fortunes may be repeated in Wales, since the Swans undoubtedly have a solid mix of seasoned, technically skilled, and well regarded players in every department.

The first game in charge would be against Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Saturday week, assuming the club ends its managerial search as quickly as possible.