Middlesbrough appoint Hellberg as head coach

Middlesbrough have appointed Kim Hellberg as their new head coach.

The 37-year-old who had been in charge of Swedish side Hammarby, replaces Rob Edwards, who left for Premier League strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month.

This is a first job for Hellberg outside his native Sweden, although he had been in talks with Championship rivals Swansea City earlier this month.

Hellberg will take over officially later in the week, with Adi Viveash remaining in interim charge for the home game with Championship leaders Coventry City on Tuesday.

Boro remain in second, seven points behind the Sky Blues after only losing two of their 16 league games this season.

Hellberg is Boro's second managerial appointment in five months, with Edwards departing for boyhood club Wolves just 14 games into his tenure at the Riverside.

Having been in charge at Hammarby for the past two seasons, Hellberg led the Stockholm-based club to successive second-placed finishes in Sweden's top-flight Allsvenskan.

Hellberg, who spent his playing career in the Swedish lower leagues, had a year to run on his deal with Hammarby.

He began his coaching career in the Swedish lower divisions with Kuddby IF and later IF Sylvia before joining the staff at top-tier club IFK Norkopping in 2020.

His first head coach role in the Allsvenskan came at IFK Varnamo, where two impressive seasons led to his move to Hammarby.

He will be accompanied to Teesside by his assistant David Selini, with Viveash remaining part of the backroom staff.

More to follow.

• Latest Middlesbrough news, analysis and fan views

• Listen to Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds