Next Middlesbrough manager update amid Kim Hellberg and assistant talks

Kim Hellberg is set to leave Swedish runners-up Hammarby IF to join Middlesbrough, bringing an end to the club’s search for a replacement for Rob Edwards.

While high-profile names such as Steven Gerrard have been linked with the role, it now appears Boro have turned to Scandinavia for their next head coach. According to Swedish newspaper Expressen, the two parties have agreed to a multi-year contract, with Middlesbrough activating the release clause in Hellberg’s deal, believed to be around £240,000.

Hellberg has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting managerial prospects in Scandinavian football, guiding newcomers IFK Värnamo to mid-table stability in their top-flight debut in 2022, before achieving an extraordinary fifth-place finish the following year.

Few expected this trajectory from a club with such modest resources, but his fearless tactical approach proved successful, and his performances attracted international interest. Despite interest from Sunderland, he chose to sign for Hammarby IF, where he has since delivered consecutive second-place finishes while also developing some of the league’s most promising young talent.

Rumours surrounding the 37-year-old Swede intensified on Monday when Fotbollskanalen reported that Hellberg had travelled to London amid interest from numerous British clubs.

The Swedish outlet revealed that he held talks with Swansea City, and Expressen later confirmed that he had met with the Swans’ CEO Tom Gorringe. Despite Swansea’s strong interest, Hellberg is said to have been impressed by Middlesbrough’s readiness to invest in the squad, coupled with a clearer path toward Premier League promotion, which played a major role in his decision.

The Teessiders have reportedly already initiated the work visa process in anticipation of securing their new manager. Hammarby sporting director Mikael Hjelmberg confirmed Hellberg’s visit to England during an appearance on the podcast Studio Allsvenskan.

“It’s no secret that he’s in London,” Hjelmberg said “but until we hear otherwise, Kim is Hammarby’s manager.” Later speaking to Fotbollskanalen, he added that the Stockholm club have offered Hellberg a significant improvement to his current contract in an attempt to keep him. “Yes, we have offered him a contract that is extremely good by Swedish standards.”

Nothing has been confirmed yet, and a key factor believed to have slowed Middlesbrough’s negotiations with Hellberg, is his desire to bring his assistant coach, David Selini, with him to Teesside.

Unlike Hellberg, Selini is not thought to have a buy-out clause in his contract, meaning that Middlesbrough must negotiate directly with Hammarby in order to facilitate his departure from Allsvenskan. The coaching duo have formed a close coaching partnership, first working together for two seasons at Värnamo before reuniting at Hammarby.

At just 31 years old, Selini forms the other half of a young, ambitious partnership eager to make its mark in the Championship. Middlesbrough are now in direct discussions with the Swedish club regarding Selini, and all indications suggest that the pair are expected to reunite at the Riverside Stadium.

Assuming there are no delays in the work visa process and that Middlesbrough reach an agreement with Hammarby for their assistant coach, an official announcement is believed to be imminent.

Your next Middlesbrough read: The inside track on Kim Hellberg and what he'd bring to Middlesbrough if appointed new manager